About the MRCPI Paediatrics Part I exam

The MRCPI Paediatrics Part I examination consists of one paper with 100 Single Best Answer questions. You have three hours to complete the exam so the average answering time for each question is 1.8 minutes. There is no negative marking and each question is equally weighted so we advise you to attempt all questions. Single Best Answer questions consist of a 'vignette' (clinical scenario) followed by five possible answers. You must select the single best answer.

The questions in this paper test basic knowledge expected with clinical exposure in General Paediatrics at SHO level in Ireland.

The MRCPI Paediatric Examination board have recently updated the question bank for the Part I exam to ensure all questions reflect up to date medical practice and are more appropriate to a candidate’s stage of training. No new topics have been added. Successful candidates will demonstrate a broad knowledge of the basic physiology and physical findings of the neonate, child and adolescent, as well as clinical literature published in Paediatrics, public health related to Paediatrics and the fundamentals of managing common Paediatric conditions. Please see here for the updated examination blueprint below.

COVID-19 Impact : Remote Invigilation

From June 2020 onwards all of our written examinations will be delivered by remote invigilation instead of at a physical examination centre. 

Please find all the information about remote invigilation in this link https://www.rcpi.ie/examinations/remote-invigilation/ 

Are you exempt?

If you have one of the qualifications listed below, you are exempt from MRCPI Paediatrics Part I, which means you are eligible to apply to MRCPI Paediatrics Part II Written now. As part of the application process you will be asked to upload an attested copy of your equivalent qualification(s).

• MRCP(UK)
• MRCPath
• MRCPCH
• FRACP
• FRCP(C)
• FCP(SA)
• Arab Boards in Medicine and Paediatrics
• Saudi Boards in Medicine and Paediatrics
• Kuwait Boards of Medicine and Paediatrics
• Omani Medical Specialty Boards in Medicine and Paediatrics
• MRCPsych
• FCP&S in Medicine and Paediatrics (Pakistan)
• The American Boards in General (Internal) Medicine and Paediatrics
• MMed (Malaysia)

Application fee

The fee for MRCPI examination has increased in line with the rising costs associated with delivering the exams, effective for all exams taken after 1 August 2022.  Modest fee increases are spread across the three exam components

The fee to sit Part I is €690 in Ireland and Overseas. The method of payment is credit or debit card, taken at the end of the online application process.

Don't forget, if you're in Ireland you can claim a refund under the HSE Clinical Course and Examination Refund Scheme. Click here for more information

If you require a visa

If you require a visa to sit an exam, it is your responsibility to ensure the visa application is made in sufficient time before the examination date. We have no role in granting or refusing visas. A refund will not be given if you are unable to attend the examination as a result of a visa-related problem.

How to prepare

It's important to prepare for MRCPI exams and not to underestimate how long it takes to get ready to sit Part I. Having an understanding of how each exam is formatted and how questions are constructed will help you prepare and develop good answering strategies. When working in a busy clinical job with acute medical take, you should allow three to four months to prepare for MRCPI Part I.

When you're preparing your study plan, make sure to refer to the curriculum for Basic Specialist Training in Paediatrics, as the MRCPI in Paediatrics is based on this curriculum. It serves as a 'blueprint' for the exam. See the content outline below for further information on the topics of the examination.

You should also read the regulations document for this exam, also available below.

BST Curriculum

Please click the button below to access the Curriculum for Basic Specialist Training in Paediatrics

Examinations Calendar 2023

Please click the button below to visit the RCPI Examinations Calendar for 2023. This includes examination dates, application opening and closing dates and examination fees.

Apply for this exam

Applications for the upcoming MRCPI Paediatrics Part I Written on 23 January 2023 are now open and will close on 14 December 2022.

All the MRCPI written examinations are delivered by remote invigilation instead of at a physical examination centre. Candidates may sit the exam anywhere in the world, provided they have a reliable internet connection and fulfill the remote invigilation requirements.

Please find all the information about remote invigilation at this link: https://www.rcpi.ie/examinations/remote-invigilation, please read carefully before applying. 

Cancellation policy

Before you apply, please read our Cancellation policy

Contact us

We have a dedicated examinations support team in our Dublin headquarters. They are there to guide you through your full exam journey, from application to MRCPI conferring. They are present at every exam and always happy to answer your questions.