Candidates will be subject to enhanced security checks before entering the examination room to ensure they are not carrying unauthorised items. This will include, but may not be limited to, asking candidates to show:
- behind their ears if they have long hair
- wrists and forearms
- ankles (by lifting trouser legs slightly)
- that their pockets are empty
- waistbands
Hats or scarves are not permitted unless worn for religious reasons. Candidates can request for the checks to be conducted in a private room, and in such cases, checks will be conducted by an invigilator of the same gender.
Additional checks may be requested by invigilators during the examination if any breaches of the regulations are suspected.
These measures are standard for examinations that are delivered in-centre and are designed to protect the integrity of the examination and prevent potential misconduct. Further information about the policy can be found in paragraphs 4.4(a) of the MRCP(UK) Regulations and 4 of the SCE/ESE Regulations.
If you have any questions about these procedures, please contact us via the website.
In addition, the withdrawal regulations (paragraph 3.10 in both sets of regulations) have been amended. These will apply to all examinations with application periods opening from 5 May. The previous regulations will apply to the 2026.02 diets of the MRCP(UK) Part 1 and PACES examinations and the Rheumatology SCE.