MRCEM Primary Exam
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Exam Structure
The MRCEM Primary examination is a Single Best Answer (SBA) paper. The examination comprises 180 questions to be answered in three hours. Sample questions are available on the Royal College of Emergency Medicine website. RCEM delivers its written examinations electronically via computer-based testing company, Pearson VUE. The examination is conducted in English and candidates are advised that IELTS Level 7 is the expected standard for completion of MRCEM examinations.
Exam Content
The MRCEM Primary examination is mapped to the RCEM Basic Science Curriculum (June 2010) and RCEM 2021 Emergency Medicine curriculum. All applicants for the MRCEM Primary examination are strongly advised to familiarise themselves with the Basic Sciences Curriculum in preparation for sitting the examination. The full MRCEM Primary Examination Blueprint can be found on the Royal College of Emergency Medicine website. The basic blueprint is as follows:
- Anatomy – 60 questions
- Physiology – 60 questions
- Pharmacology – 24 questions
- Microbiology – 17 questions
- Pathology – 9 questions
- Evidence Based Medicine – 10 questions
The glossary of terms used in the RCEM examinations can be found on the Royal College of Emergency Medicine website.
Exam Dates and Fees
| Examination Date | Application Dates |
|---|---|
| 21st May 2024 | 21st Feb 2024 – 28th Feb 2024 |
| 29th Oct 2024 | 24th Jul 2024 – 31st Jul 2024 |
| 13th May 2025 | 17th Feb 2025 – 24th Feb 2025 |
| 28th Oct 2025 | 21st Jul 2025 – 28th Jul 2025 |
The MRCEM Primary examination fee is £330. Please note that candidates sitting the examination in an overseas centre may be required to pay additional local fees. Up to date MRCEM Primary Examination Dates and Fees are published on the Royal College of Emergency Medicine website.
Exam Applications
Online applications for all examinations will open at approximately 10am (GMT time) on the listed application opening date and close automatically at 5pm (GMT time) on the listed application closing date. Applications must be completed before 5pm on the closing date, late applications will not be accepted. The link to the MRCEM Primary Examination Application Form will be made available on the Royal College of Emergency Medicine website on the listed application opening day.
Exam Results
The MRCEM Primary examination is standard set using the Angoff Method. The MRCEM Primary examination results will be released on the pre-advised day by 17:00, approximately five weeks after the date of the examination. Results will be released to candidates’ College website accounts where results letters can be downloaded on demand. Examination results will not be issued or confirmed by telephone or email.
More Information
Please see the MRCEM Primary Examination Information Pack (July 2021) for detailed information for this examination component. For further queries please contact the Royal College of Emergency Medicine directly by email: [email protected] or phone: +44 (0)20 7404 1999.
