The True Cost of the MRCP

I'm preparing once again for the MRCP (round 2!). The MRCP is a post-graduate medical exam that needs to be complete before a aspiring physician doctor can proceed to specialist training.

How much does it cost to get an MRCP? Have a guess! I bet you won't come close. Scroll down for the answer.

P.S. Include all costs in your calculations from Part 1 to PACES.



Total cost of the MRCP = £6,070!

Don't believe it? Neither did I initially & I had to double check my figures. Here is the breakdown of the numbers in detail.

Part 1
Exam Fee- £350
Pastest Revision Course- £850
Onexamination- £90
Books- £125

Part 1 Resit
(The average candidate will resit Part 1 as the pass rate is betweeen 30-40%. Source- BMJ)
Exam Fee- £350
Onexamination- £90

Part 2- Written
Exam Fee- £330
Medibyte Course- £975
Onexamination- £90
Books- £90

Part 2- PACES
Exam Fee- £520
Pastest Course (4 days)- £1450
Books- £80

Part 2- PACES Resit
(Once again, the average pass rate is lower than 50% therefore your average candidate will resit at least once. Souce: Postgraduate Medical Journal)

Exam Fee- £520

MRCP Diploma
£200
(That's right! They have the cheek of charging you a further 200 for a certificate on a wall!)

Total Cost £6070

So, everday after an exhausting day's work, I head to the library to hit the books. I stare at scars on my forearms, the result from numerous intravenous caffeine drips. Friends & family complain I never go out anymore.

Although my partner hardly complains, she's missing me & this only adds to the strain in our relationship. The clock is ticking, I've got 6 weeks left! I wonder, why do I do this to myself? Its probably the masochist in me!

The true cost of MRCP cannot be just about money or numbers, but time away from family & friends.

"to teach them this art - if they desire to learn it - without fee and covenant"

This phrase comes from the original Hippocratic Oath. Dr Nick will be sitting exams again soon & nearly got a heart attack at the exorbitant costs of these revision courses. Some courses exceeded £900!

My initial reaction was that these organisers were greedy, money-grabbers with prices bordering on exploitation. But on second though, there is nothing worse than going to a "free" teaching session with a disinterested, unprepared tutor. At least with a paid course, you can be assured the teacher is motivated and prepared.

The reality is that these course are filling a need that training roatations throughout the NHS are missing. But on the bright side, I have a study allowance!!