Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) overview

This page details the necessary information when taking the Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) Assessment for the International Induction Programme (IIP) or the Return to Practice (RtP) programme.

There are 2 parts to the International Induction Programme (IIP) and the Return to Practice (RtP) Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) assessment. Both are designed to assess some of the essential competences outlined in the national person specification and are based around clinical scenarios. Applicants will first be asked to complete a professional dilemmas (PD) paper, followed by a clinical problem solving (CPS) paper.

The two papers of the MCQ assessment (Professional Dilemmas and Clinical Problem-Solving) are able to be taken separately. Candidates will be permitted four funded attempts at each component of the MCQ assessment and on passing, the result is valid for 12 months for each paper.

Assessments are available at locations throughout the UK and in approved sites worldwide. There are now eight sittings throughout the year and dates are listed below.

• Wednesday 24 and Thursday 25 May 2023
  Registration forms must be received from the local educational lead/office by 24 April 2023.
• Wednesday 5 and Thursday 6 July 2023
  Registration forms must be received from the local educational lead/office by 5 June 2023.
• Wednesday 23 and Thursday 24 Aug 2023
  Registration forms must be received from the local educational lead/office by 23 July 2023.
• Wednesday 4 and Thursday 5 October 2023
  Registration forms must be received from the local educational lead/office by 5 September 2023.
• Wednesday 22 and Thursday 23 Nov 2023
  Registration forms must be received from the local educational lead/office by 22 October 2023.
• Thursday 11 and Friday 12 January 2024
  Registration forms must be received from the local educational lead/office by 10 December 2023.
• Thursday 22 and Friday 23 February 2024
  Registration forms must be received from the local educational lead/office by 21 January 2024.
• Thursday 4 and Friday 5 April 2024
  Registration forms must be received from the local educational lead/office by 21 January 2024.
• Thursday 16 and Friday 17 May 2024
  Registration forms must be received from the local educational lead/ office by 15 April 2024
• Thursday 27 and Friday 28 June 2024
  Registration forms must be received from the local educational lead/ office by 26 May 2024
• Thursday 1 and Friday 2 August 2024
  Registration forms must be received from the local educational lead/ office by 1 July 2024
• Thursday 12 and Friday 13 September 2024
  Registration forms must be received from the local educational lead/ office by 11 Aug 2024
• Thursday 7 and Friday 8 November 2024
  Registration forms must be received from the local educational lead/ office by 6 Oct 2024

Number of permissible attempts and associated costs

Applicants are permitted a maximum number of four attempts at the MCQ. A successful attempt at the MCQ is valid for a maximum of 12 months from the date of the assessment. 

Visit the Guidelines on MCQ Assessment Attempts for further information.

Permitted further attempt at MCQ

Where a candidate has already attained a pass at the CPS MCQ but wishes to attain a higher Band outcome to change the placement recommendation pathway they will be permitted to do so but will be subject to the full assessment fee, if re-sitting both papers, the fee is £150; if only one paper MCQ then the fee is £75.

Preparation resources for entry assessments

For some information about resources you could use to help prepare for the International Induction Programme (IIP) and Return to Practice (RtP) MCQ assessment, please read this section in full. A glossary of terms used in the MCQ is also available.

Registration to take MCQ

MCQ assessment is an online assessment and delivery by Pearson VUE. If you have any queries regarding booking process please contact the Pearson VUE support team:

You should register with the GP NRO as soon as you know you want to undertake the IIP or RtP programme or just need advice about it.

Once registered for the programme the NRO will direct you to the HEE local lead. This may take a little while to organise and to arrange a review appointment with the lead.

Once the NRO have been informed that you will be taking part in the IIP or RtP programme and have approval from the HEE lead you will be granted access to all the online learning resources.

If you are required to undertake the MCQ assessment, you should only book to take the MCQ when you are ready. This may be deferred for up to 12 months from date of initial registration to allow you time to prepare for the assessments. The NRO will review with you your plans at 6 and 12 months to check if you still plan to enter the IIP or RtP programme.

Upon receiving the approved MCQ assessment form, the NRO creates and releases the MCQ booking instructions email to candidates, where candidates makes the booking for the assessment.

Results

The results will be released to the candidates, from their respective HEE local lead within 10 working days; please do not contact National Recruitment office.

Resitting

If unsuccessful and would like to re-take the MCQ exam, candidates need to liaise with their respective HEE local lead and submit the approved MCQ assessment registration form to the NRO.

Changes to the MCQ

Following the recent review of IIP and RtP MCQ assessments, some changes have been made which will apply from January 2024 MCQ sitting onwards: 

1. The minimum passing score is 42

2. Results for the Professional Dilemmas (SJT) MCQ will be given as
   • Fail which is Bands 1 or 2
   • Pass which is Bands 3 to 5

3. Results for the Clinical Problem Solving MCQ paper will continue to be reported as bands 1 to 5 (Fail = 1 and 2, Pass = Bands 3, 4 and 5)

4. Candidates who score a band 3 in the CPS MCQ and a pass in the PD (SJT) MCQ may be asked to complete a recommended minimum of 6 months (whole time equivalent) of supervised clinical sessions in General Practice

5. All Candidates (IELTS 7.5 and above) who score a band 4 or 5 in the CPS MCQ and a pass in the PD (SJT) MCQ may be asked to complete a recommended minimum induction of 3 months (band 4) or one month (band 5)

6. The number of questions in the CPS MCQ paper has been increased from 86 to 88 and to allow for this the time allocated for the paper has been increased from 65 to 67 minutes