About the MRCPI Paediatrics Part II Clinical examination

It is expected that candidates taking the clinical examination will have a minimum of 12 months but ideally 15 months of experience in paediatric practice and will proficiently perform physical examinations to the level required of a registrar. Clinical judgement, management skills and communication are also assessed.

The clinical examination will focus on the ability of the candidate to demonstrate proficiency in the areas of history taking, communication, physical examination, problem solving and basic steps in the assessment and management of the neonate, child or adolescent with acute or chronic disease.

Clinical Exam Format

The Clinical exam format consists of a circuit of six short cases. These cases will be similar to an outpatient encounter or a clinical assessment of a patient in a Medical Admissions Unit.

All candidates should see a case mix which allows them to demonstrate a range of clinical skills.

Throughout the examination candidates are assessed on:

• Communication skills,
• Management of the child
• Identifying/recognising normalcy/disability or complex need,
• Recognise the acutely ill child and identifying red flags

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 II Clinical is €820. This exam is not currently held 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 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. Having an understanding of how each exam is formatted will help you prepare and develop good answering strategies. 

When you're preparing your study plan, make sure to refer to the documents made available below.

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

The next MRCPI Paediatrics Part II Clinical examination in Ireland will take place in November 2022.

*International candidates are welcome to apply for May 2022 however, places in this exam are limited, therefore you may not get a place in this exam when you first apply.

IMPORTANT:  You will not be asked to pay the exam fee upon first application, if you are successful in your application you will receive an email after closing date for applications with a link for payment and confirmation of your place in the exam.

COVID-19: Impact on RCPI exams

Please check our latest updates on examinations here

Update regarding Covid vaccinations in our Clinical and OSCE exams from September 2021 until further notice:

• Full COVID vaccination for candidates, examiners and others involved in the clinical examinations of the RCPI is strongly advised.
• In the absence of that, the RCPI Examinations Team will require email confirmation of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to the examination or proof of a COVID positive test in the previous nine months

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.