Sunday, October 22, 2006

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.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Is it compulsory to take the courses in order to take the exam? Or do people take the courses because it's a more efficient way of studying, therefore giving you more time to be with friends and family?
Whichever, I'm sorry for you. I remember exam purdah only too well (not medical exams, obviously, but was working and doing degree). People who haven't gone through it can find it hard to empathise, IMO.

Anonymous said...

My post above: not suggesting an equivalence between degree and what you're going through - because I wouldn't know. But sending sympathies.

Anonymous said...

I wonder if the whole execise of the exam is worth it .....see www.mrcpexam.com