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MRCEM: Primary, Intermediate, OSCE Exam Dates; Application Procedure, Eligibility; A Complete Guideline for Students

The Membership of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine or MRCEM is a three-level examination such as MRCEM Primary, MRCEM Intermediate, and MRCEM OSCE.  This internationally renowned and acclaimed membership offers a wide range of benefits like career progression with NHS UK, access to resources, participation in conferences and many more. All the more, MRCEM membership will enhance one’s skills and move up in their career ladder.

If you are someone who is looking for establishing your career in emergency medicine, then this article is just for you. Keep on reading till the end and get all your doubts about MRCEM exam eligibility, application procedure, 2023 exam dates and centres, and lots more. So let’s get started.

Who Can Sit for the MRCEM Exam?

1. Candidates with a GMC-approved medical qualification can sit or apply for MRCEM exam.

2. No previous experience in Emergency Medicine is required to sit for the MRCEM Primary Exam.

3. Candidates are advised to have Level 7 or above IELTS score.

4. The exam is in English language only.

How to apply for examinations?

1. Online Mode: All applicants should submit the duly-filled application forms online and the Royal College does not accept paper applications.

2. Payment: Payment can be done either by submitting cheque or card payments.

Things To Note While Applying!

The application is a time-consuming process and it may take longer to complete. Hence, candidates are advised to apply well in advance ahead of the deadlines.

Generally, all online applications window for each exam opens at about 10 AM GMT and closes at 5.00PM GMT. Candidates should check out the Exam Calendar & Fees Page to get details about the opening and closing dates of the exam.

RCEM does not accept any late applications at whatsoever conditions. So, each student should submit the application within the deadline.

The Candidate should ensure that their application is duly filled and no parts of the form are unfilled. No application with incomplete information will be accepted by the Royal College.

MRCEM Primary Examination Pattern

The MRCEM Primary is a three-hour long exam consisting of 180 Single Best Answer (SBA) questions. RCEM uses Pearson VUE, a provider of computer-based testing, to electronically administer its written exams. Though no previous experience in emergency medicine is required, all overseas candidates are expected to have an IELTS score of 7 to sit for the exams.

Exam Dates for MRCEM Primary 2023

Similar to the MRCEM Primary Exam, the Intermediate exam also is an SBA based test. The test consists of 180 questions which is divided into two papers of 90 questions each. Students get 2 hours each to attend the questions and there will be one hour break in between the exam.

You may find sample questions on the official website of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine. RCEM uses Pearson VUE, a provider of computer-based testing, to electronically administer its written exams.

MRCEM Intermediate 2023 Exam Dates

The MRCEM OSCE, the third and final exam required for membership in the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, evaluates trainees’ clinical and communication abilities to make sure they are prepared for further education. The GMC has granted permission to the Royal College of Emergency Medicine to switch the MRCEM OSCE mark scheme from checklist marking to domain-based marking (in line with the current FRCEM OSCE examination). 16 8-minute stations make up the MRCEM OSCE, with a minute of reading time in between each station. The test includes two break stops as well.

MRCEM OSCE 2023 Exam Dates

Please take note of these upcoming exams if you’re preparing for the exam so that you can schedule your study time and revision appropriately. Anatomy and physiology make up the majority of the marks available in the test, making it a good idea to concentrate most of your revision on these topics. The vastness of the anatomy course makes it the hardest part of the test for most applicants to understand. The path of Emergency Medicine is difficult yet rewarding. Working hard will pay off in the end.

How to prepare for MRCEM Exam?

Being an internationally accepted and renowned Membership, the exam is not that easy to crack unless you do a steady and stable preparation. Preparatory courses are useful to schedule your studies well depending on the amount of time you can spare say six months, four months, four weeks, and so on.

For MRCEM primary examination, candidates should know the basics of emergency medicine and the Royal College of Emergency Medicine or RCEM checks how well you apply your knowledge to diagnose and treat your patients. Here are a few tips for you to prepare for the exam.

1. Prepare A Timetable for Your Studies: Candidates should prepare a timetable and fix how or what portion they cover in how many days.

2. Revision Plan: Candidates should have a proper revision plan and should cover the entire syllabus in the time frame.

3. Focus on Difficult Topics: Give an extra weightage for those topics which seems to be difficult for you. You should spend some additional hours to cover all difficult topics.

4. Reading Resources: You should read more. You can find more books related to the topics and reading of those books will give you better insights.

5. Taking Mock: Mock exams will give you a better idea of what to expect in each exam. Further, taking mocks will also help you manage your time in a more effective way.

6. Seek Guidance from Mentors: You can also seek the support and guidance from mentors or somebody who has cleared the MRCEM exam. Their advices and tips can be handy at times of the exam.

7. Take Preparatory Courses: With courses, you will be able to prepare well because most of the courses are systematically arranged and structured. These courses can help you cover the entire syllabus within the prescribed time.