MRCP PACES 2025: Your Complete Eligibility and Booking Guide

Introduction

The MRCP PACES (Practical Assessment of Clinical Examination Skills) is the clinical component of the Membership of the Royal Colleges of Physicians (MRCP) examination. It stands as one of the most significant milestones in a UK physician's career pathway, testing not just clinical knowledge but the ability to apply it in real-time patient encounters. For 2025–2026 candidates, understanding the eligibility requirements, booking logistics, exam centre options, and fee structures is absolutely essential.

This guide consolidates everything you need to know about getting yourself registered, prepared, and seated for the exam — without the common pitfalls that delay or derail candidates each year.

Eligibility Requirements: Who Can Sit MRCP PACES?

1. Written Exam Prerequisites

Before you can even apply for PACES, you must have passed both written components of the MRCP examination:

• MRCP Part 1 — A two-day, multiple best-of-five question written exam testing basic medical sciences and common medical conditions.

• MRCP Part 2 — A two-day, multiple best-of-five question written exam at a more advanced level, focusing on clinical problem-solving.

⚠️ Important: There is no time limit between passing the written exams and sitting PACES, but you must hold full passes in both Part 1 and Part 2 at the time of your PACES application.

2. Postgraduate Clinical Experience

Candidates must have completed a minimum of 2 years (24 months) of postgraduate experience in medical employment by the first day of the PACES exam diet they are applying for.

• This experience does not need to be in the UK.

• It must involve direct patient care.

• Foundation programme (F1/F2) years, core medical training, and equivalent international posts all count.

• Research posts, teaching roles, or purely administrative roles do not typically count towards this requirement.

📋 Documentation Tip: Ensure your GMC registration or equivalent registration with your medical council clearly reflects your postgraduate experience dates. Discrepancies between your application and official records are the most common cause of rejected applications.

3. GMC Registration (UK Candidates)

While GMC registration is not a strict requirement for all candidates, if you are sitting PACES in the UK, it is strongly expected. International candidates sitting PACES at overseas centres must hold registration with their local medical council.

The Application and Booking Process

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Create Your MRCP Account

If you haven't already, register on the MRCP UK online portal at www.mrcpuk.org. This is the central hub for all applications, results, and communications.

Step 2: Monitor Diet Opening Dates

PACES runs in three diets per year:

⏰ Critical Advice: Applications open at specific times and close quickly. Popular UK centres (particularly London, Edinburgh, and Glasgow) fill within hours of the application window opening. Set calendar reminders and be online the moment applications go live.

Step 3: Select Your Exam Centre

During the application, you'll rank your preferred exam centres. The system allocates on a first-come, first-served basis. You can typically select:

• First preference centre

• Second preference centre

• Third preference centre (not always available)

Step 4: Upload Required Documents

Ensure you have ready:

• Evidence of passing Part 1 and Part 2

• Evidence of 24 months postgraduate experience

• Valid medical registration documentation

• Passport-sized photograph (if required)

• Valid identification details

Step 5: Pay Examination Fee

Fees must be paid at the time of application. See the fee section below for current rates.

Step 6: Receive Confirmation

After allocation, you'll receive confirmation of your exam centre, approximate exam date window, and candidate number. Exact dates and timings are typically released 2–3 weeks before the exam.

Exam Centres: UK and International

UK PACES Centres

The UK hosts PACES at numerous hospitals across the country. Major centres include:

England:

• London (multiple sites — Royal London, St Thomas', Hammersmith, etc.)

• Manchester

• Birmingham

• Leeds

• Newcastle

• Bristol

• Nottingham

• Sheffield

• Liverpool

• Southampton

• Cambridge

• Oxford

Scotland:

• Edinburgh

• Glasgow

• Aberdeen

• Dundee

Wales:

• Cardiff

Northern Ireland:

• Belfast

International PACES Centres

For international candidates, MRCP PACES is available at designated centres across several countries:

🌍 Note for International Candidates: International centre availability varies by diet. Not every centre is operational in every diet. Check the MRCP UK website for the most current list of active international centres for your target diet.

Fee Structure for 2025–2026

The following fees are based on the most recent published MRCP UK fees and are subject to annual review:

Additional Costs to Budget For

• Travel and accommodation (especially if your allocated centre is not local)

• Study materials (textbooks, online resources, practice courses)

• Practice with patients (many candidates invest in structured PACES courses costing £300–£800)

• Professional attire (you are expected to dress in clean, professional clinical clothing)

💰 Budgeting Tip: International candidates sitting in the UK should budget an additional £500–£1,500 for travel, visa, and accommodation, depending on origin country and duration of stay.

Exam Day: What to Expect

Before You Arrive

• You'll be informed of your exact reporting time approximately 2–3 weeks before the exam.

• Exams typically run in either a morning or afternoon session.

• Plan to arrive at least 45–60 minutes before your scheduled start.

• Bring photographic ID (passport preferred) and your confirmation letter.

On the Day

• Duration: The full PACES carousel takes approximately 2 hours 40 minutes.

• Format: Five stations, each lasting 20 minutes (10 minutes with patient + 10 minutes for examiner questions and movement between stations).

• Break: There is a short 5-minute break between stations.

Station Overview (PACES23 Format)

Each station is assessed by two independent examiners who score you independently. This means your performance is evaluated by ten examiners in total across the carousel.

Common Booking Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

Pitfall 1: Missing the Application Window

Problem: Applications close once capacity is reached, which for popular centres can be within hours.

Solution: Set multiple calendar reminders for 1 week, 3 days, and 1 day before the application opens. Be logged into the portal before the opening time.

Pitfall 2: Incomplete Documentation

Problem: Applications missing required evidence are rejected, and you lose your place.

Solution: Pre-upload all documents to your MRCP account profile before the application window opens. Verify that experience dates align with your GMC certificate.

Pitfall 3: Not Having a Backup Centre Plan

Problem: Your preferred centre fills before your application is processed.

Solution: Always select a second and third preference. Be willing to travel — the exam is the same standard everywhere.

Pitfall 4: Visa Delays (International Candidates)

Problem: International candidates booking UK centres sometimes face visa processing delays.

Solution: Apply for your visa immediately upon receiving your exam confirmation. Standard visitor visas are typically sufficient for PACES, but processing times vary by country.

Results and Next Steps

When Are Results Released?

Results are typically published 6–8 weeks after the end of the exam diet. They are released via your online MRCP account.

Pass Mark

PACES uses a criterion-referenced scoring system rather than a fixed percentage pass mark. This means you are assessed against an agreed standard of competence, not ranked against other candidates. Approximately 60–75% of candidates pass on each diet.

After Passing PACES

Successful candidates are eligible to:

• Apply for higher specialty training in the UK

• Use the post-nominal MRCP designation

• Progress towards CCT (Certificate of Completion of Training) and consultant status

• Apply for GMC specialist registration (with appropriate training)

Key Takeaways for 2025–2026 Candidates

1. Start early — Ensure Part 1 and Part 2 are passed well before your target PACES diet.

2. Document meticulously — Postgraduate experience evidence is the #1 cause of rejected applications.

3. Book the moment applications open — UK centres fill within hours.

4. Budget comprehensively — Factor in not just the exam fee but travel, accommodation, and preparation costs.

5. Know the format — The PACES23 format tests not just examination skills but integrated consultation ability. Prepare accordingly.

6. Practice with real patients — No amount of textbook reading substitutes for hands-on clinical practice under timed conditions.

Conclusion

The MRCP PACES is a challenging but deeply rewarding examination that validates your readiness for senior medical practice. By understanding the eligibility requirements, mastering the booking process, and arriving fully prepared for exam day logistics, you eliminate unnecessary stress and can focus entirely on demonstrating your clinical competence.

Remember: the examiners are not trying to catch you out. They want to see a safe, competent, and compassionate physician. The journey to MRCP is rigorous, but with proper planning and systematic preparation, it is absolutely achievable.

Good luck on your PACES journey!

For the most up-to-date information, always refer to the official MRCP UK website at www.mrcpuk.org as fees, dates, and centre availability are subject to change.