Home Examinations MRCPI in Paediatrics Paediatrics Part I

Paediatrics Part I

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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 2019 examination blueprint

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/ 

Entry requirements

18 months, six times, six years

There must be at least 18 months between the date of your primary medical degree graduation and the date of the exam.

From January 2019 the maximum number of times a candidate can sit any Part of an MRCPI examination will be limited to six attempts.

This will mean that you have six attempts at each component of the MRCPI exams (i.e. 18 attempts in total across the three Parts).

You must pass the Part I examination within six years of your first attempt.

Doctor with child patient

What to include with your application

When you apply for this exam you will need to upload a recent colour passport photo (minimum resolution 100*100 pixels) and a scanned attested copy of your primary medical degree. Attestation must appear on the front of the copy. Your degree can be attested by:

  • An Garda Siochana (Irish police force)
  • The issuing University or Medical School
  • A solicitor/ notary public/ lawyer
  • A Commissioner for oaths
  • An Irish or British Consulate
  • Your Embassy or High Commissioner

Official translations will only be accepted if they have been prepared and/or authenticated by:

  • The issuing University or Medical School
  • An Irish or British Consulate
  • Your Embassy or High Commissioner

This is an online application process - Please do not post your application or any supporting documents.

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
  • MRACP
  • 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 to sit Part I is €630 in Ireland, or €710 if you are taking the exam outside Ireland. 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 of €450 under the HSE Clinical Course and Examination Refund Scheme.

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.

MRCPI Examinations Calendar 2020-2021

Download

This calendar includes opening/closing dates for all 2020 examinations. TBC dates will be updated later in the year.

MRCPI in Paediatrics Content Outline

Download

Changes to the MRCPI in Paediatrics Examination. Download for Part I topic blueprint.

Curriculum for Basic Specialist Training in Paediatrics

Download

MRCPI Paediatrics examination regulations

Download

This document contains more detailed information about the exam and the questions to expect

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.

Apply for this exam

Applications for January 2021 are now open.

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 here . Read carefully before applying.

Please apply using the corresponding links below depending on where you intend to sit the examination remotely. The closing date for applications is 25 November 2020. 

Examinations Department

Our Examinations Department is happy to talk to you about applying to any of our postgraduate examinations. Please note, at present the fastest way to contact this department is via email.