Results, Feedback and Awarding

OSCE Results

RCEM OSCE exams follow a domain-based marking scheme. Domains are skills which candidates are expected to demonstrate within each station and within each OSCE Station one to four Domains will be tested. Each domain will be separately weighted in relation to its overall importance within the station. Candidates will be assessed by the examiner, who will form a judgement on the level of competence they display in each Domain/skill, ranging from well below minimum level of competence to well above for each Domain in each station.

The examiner judgements of candidate performance for each domain within a station will be converted into a numerical value, based on the weighting of the domain. The numerical value of each domain will be calculated to provide candidates with a score ranging from 0-10 for each station. There are 16 stations in the MRCEM and FRCEM OSCE examinations and the maximum score achievable for each examination is 160 marks.

Theory Results

RCEM Theory SBA exams are electronically marked by allocating one mark for every correctly selected answer. As there is only one single best answer (SBA) to each question, marks will only be given where this option has been chosen.

Results Release

Results will be released on RCEM accounts six to eight weeks after the exam date. The release date will be published on the Exam Calendar once available. An email notification will be sent once results are available and can be viewed on RCEM accounts with downloadable results letters. Exam results will not be issued or confirmed by telephone or email.

Feedback

Within one week of the examination results being released, all candidates will receive a feedback letter.

This letter will include the following:

• Your score – the number of marks achieved by the candidate out of the total possible marks
• Exam pass mark – The minimum mark needed to pass the examination
• Cohort average – The average score of all candidates who took the exam. For the OSCE exam, cohort averages are calculated daily.
• A breakdown of the candidate’s performance by station, specific Specialty Learning Outcomes (SLOs), or curriculum areas, showing either the percentage of correctly answered questions or the number of marks achieved per station.

See Feedback Letters:
Feedback FRCEM OSCE | Feedback MRCEM SBA Primary | Feedback FRCEM SBA

The purpose of the feedback letter is to help you identify your strengths and areas for professional development.

It is highly recommended that candidates thoroughly review all of their feedback and discuss it with their supervisor or mentor for further guidance.

Candidates can also check the number of attempts they’ve made through their RCEM account.

Awarding

Candidates who pass the required combination of exams will be awarded MRCEM or FRCEM. MRCEM requires candidates to pass the MRCEM Primary, MRCEM SBA and MRCEM OSCE (or equivalences). FRCEM requires candidates to pass the FRCEM SBA and FRCEM OSCE (or equivalences). Upon passing the final required exams, quality checks will be undertaken and once confirmed, this will be available on RCEM accounts with the results release.

Frequent Results Queries

Customer Service

Please let us know if you have any concerns about the customer service you receive from RCEM or any of our delivery partners before, during, or after your exam. Any complaints will be handled in line with the College’s Complaints Policy.

Exam Delivery

Technical issues are very rare but may occasionally happen. Whilst we do all we can to resolve any issues, you have the right to appeal if your exam is affected by a procedural irregularity or exceptional circumstances.

OSCEs are designed to reflect a normal working environment, so they can be busy and fast-paced
exam days. Team members are always on hand if there are any issues, so please speak to OSCE
staff on the day should you have any concerns.

Please report any issues as soon as possible, ideally within 24 hours of your exam. Email
exams@rcem.ac.uk for support. Please see our Our Appeals Policy .

Exam Content

All exam content is written, developed and quality assured by our lead examiners, all of whom are experienced Emergency Medicine physicians. Questions and scenarios are mapped to RCEM’s Curriculum.

Images used in our exams have been reviewed and selected by our lead examiners, whilst some
may be of higher quality than others, all have been deemed of sufficient quality to help determine the correct answer to the question.

Please report any concerns about exam content as soon as possible, ideally within 24 hours of your exam, by emailing exams@rcem.ac.uk. Concerns will be reviewed by our Quality & Standards team, and the relevant lead examiner(s).

Examiner Judgement

Our examiners are recruited, trained and quality assured to agreed standards. Whilst you can appeal if your performance in an exam was affected by any procedural irregularity or exceptional circumstances, you cannot appeal by questioning our examiners’ judgements.

Exceptional Circumstances

We know that there are occasions when your exam performance could be affected by exceptional circumstances, e.g. severe unexpected sickness during an exam.
Any appeals on the grounds of exceptional circumstances must be supported by appropriate evidence. By taking an exam, you are declaring yourself fit to sit, so please do not attend your exam if you feel unwell. Contact the team for support or advice by emailing exams@rcem.ac.uk.