Examination news and dates

Publication of examination results

Part 2 results will be released on the website from midday 21st November by candidate number. BMS and Part 1 results will be emailed to candidates and not published on the website. 

Technical issues facing examination candidates on 23–25 September

On Tuesday 23 September a number of candidates sitting Part 1 FRCPath examinations experienced a range of technical difficulties, including 44 candidates who were unable to start one or both of their papers. Although fixes were put in place, some candidates continued to experience difficulties on Wednesday and to a lesser extent on Thursday.

Despite thorough testing of the examination system with our new online examination provider, an unforeseeable technical problem occurred at the start of Tuesday. Although this was resolved, it had a knock-on effect on onboarding to the examinations for the rest of the day.

Once candidates were able to enter the exam there were further issues with the system which included – but were not limited to – frozen screens, disconnection from the exam and early removal from the exam. These issues continued through the examinations which took place on Wednesday 24 and Thursday 25 September but not to the same extent.

We are currently reviewing options for all affected candidates and have liaised with the GMC and other organisations. We have written to all affected candidates to apologise and outline our next steps. There were a range of candidate experiences. We are keen to ensure that our next steps capture these and that we take time to make considered decisions rather than take a one-size-fits-all approach.

The College team remained focussed on making sure that FRCPath Part 1 examinations ran as smoothly as possible during the  week. They will be supporting the delivery of the in-person FRCPath Part 2, Certificate and Diploma examinations from Monday 29 September until the end of October.

Professor Nicki Cohen, Clinical Director of Examinations:

"The College is committed to providing exam candidates the best possible service in the delivery of FRCPath, Diploma and Certificate exams. We fully acknowledge that the experience of some candidates sitting their exams between 23 and 25 September fell far short of our usual standards. For this we sincerely apologise.

We are committed to undertaking a thorough review of what took place, and encourage all affected candidates to contact us with their experiences through our dedicated email channel. We are working closely with our online examination provider who are also investigating the issues. This will help us to try and ensure this type of incident does not occur again."

The College has published a series of FAQs regarding the issues experienced by candidates.

risr/ & Talview Statement – RCPath Exams (23–25 September 2025)

A statment from the College's online exam and proctor provider regarding the technical issues faced by some  candidates during examinations that took place between 23 - 25 September. 

FRCPath Part 2 paediatric pathology – examination changes

Following GMC approval, we are pleased to announce the following change of format of the Paediatric Pathology Part 2:

• the exam has been divided into 2 modules: paediatric surgical pathology and perinatal pathology.

Both modules must be passed to obtain the FRCPath in paediatric pathology, candidates sitting the exam for the first time must apply for both modules at the same sitting. The last sitting of the old format examination will be held in the autumn 2026 sitting, the new format examination will be held in spring 2027 onwards. Please read the document below where further details on what is included in each module are outlined along with a summary table between the previous format exam and the new format. We will not be to retrospectively allow passes for those elements of the new format exam that candidates may have passed at previous attempts under the old format.

Change in Part 1/Certificate exams online provider

The Part 1/ACICE/CICE/Certificate in Medical Genetics and Dermatopathology written online platform provider has been changed from Testreach to RISR from and including the autumn 2025 exam sitting. Updated Online Exam FAQs will be published on the website and a webinar will be held closer to the autumn 2025 exam dates. Invites to attend the webinar will be forwarded to Part 1/ACICE/CICE autumn 2025 candidates after confirmation of entry at the end of July. 

Changes to the FRCPath Part 2 examination in clinical science specialties

The changes outlined in the document below will apply to the following specialties: genetics, haematology clinical science, histocompatibilty and immunogenetics, molecular pathology, reproductive science and transfusion science.

FRCPath Part 2 oral pathology – guidance for candidates

A short video from the Oral Pathology Panel Chair providing further guidance for candidates attempting the examination.

Changes to the FRCPath Part 2 examination in toxicology

2 December 2024

The following changes have been made to the Part 2 toxicology examination:

• the necropsy component of the examination, which previously took place onsite as part of the practical examination, will now be delivered as a casebook.

Please see the document below for further details on this change.

Changes to the FRCPath examination in the clinical science specialties

29 November 2024

The changes outlined in the document below will apply to the following specialties: genetics, haematology clinical science, histocompatibilty and immunogenetics, molecular pathology, reproductive science and transfusion science.

FRCPath clinical biochemistry examination – guidance for candidates

A short video from the Clinical Biochemistry Panel Chair providing additional guidance to candidates attempting the FRCPath clinical biochemistry examination, which can also be found on the specialty page.

Changes to the FRCPath Part 2 clinical biochemistry examination – guidance for clinical scientists

Following the recent announcement regarding changes to the Part 2 examination in clinical biochemistry, further guidance for clinical scientists can be found in the following document.

Changes to the FRCPath Part 2 clinical biochemistry examination 

6 June 2024

Following approval from the GMC, the below changes have been made to the Part 2 clinical biochemistry examination. These changes apply to both medics and clinical scientists:

• removal of module 3 (written project). Please see below for further details. 

The following changes to module 1 were initially approved by the GMC on a temporary basis as part of derogations during COVID-19, and will now be adopted as the permanent format: 

• module 1, paper 1 (objective structured practical examination): change station 19 from a face-to-face simulated encounter with a clinician to a written station assessing communication with patients and service users in writing
• module 1, paper 2 (practical): change from 'bench practical testing' to a written assessment.  

Part 2 module 3 (written project)

For candidates who are Higher Specialist Scientist Training (HSST) trainees, the DClinSci remains mandatory for completion of training (unless trainees are in possession of a relevant and timely PhD) but the requirement to submit a written project in order to achieve FRCPath is removed with immediate effect. Such trainees are asked to contact the National School of Healthcare Science (NSHCS) HSST training programme directors if they have any questions about how this impacts their programme.

For medically qualified candidates who are due to CCT before 30 April 2025

Candidates must pass the written option as part of the FRCPath Part 2 exam in order to be eligible for a CCT. 

For all trainees who are due to CCT before April 2025, the options available will be expanded to include a casebook-style dissertation of a series of linked cases the trainee has been involved in, with an overarching summary or submission of an MSc thesis relevant to the specialty (a summary explaining the ongoing relevance of the thesis may be requested if written a significant period before submission as the trainee’s written option).  

The PhD, MD, published papers and written project options will remain unchanged for the duration.   

For medically qualified candidates who are due to CCT on or after 1 May 2025 

Candidates do not need to submit a written option as part of the FRCPath Part 2 exam in order to be eligible for a CCT. Any candidate in this category who has passed both the module 1 and module 2 examination must contact the Examinations team as soon as possible with appropriate supporting evidence to confirm their eligibility for fellowship. 

All other candidates (including those based outside of the UK and clinical scientists not in an HSST programme) with any further queries on the above changes should contact the Examinations team as soon as possible at exams@rcpath.org.

FRCPath Part 2 histopathology webinar

21 March 2024

A webinar answering questions on the histopathology Part 2 examination.

FRCPath ACICE Q&A

17 January 2024

A webinar was held on Friday 15 December 2023, addressing a range of questions on the content of the new ACICE examination.