How has the minimum standard required been calculated?

Details of how the minimum standard has been calculated.

The minimum passing score for each paper has been determined to be a standardised score of 27, based on an Angoff standard setting exercise that was carried out in 2018 with an expert panel of GPs (which included trainees) involved in the programme (N=15). This standard setting exercise was carried out in order to determine the score at which a “minimally acceptable” candidate should perform, taking into account the fact that the MCQ is a selection test for entry to the programme (not a licensing test). Below this standard, candidates are expected to require a very high level of support, fail to be competent and safe practitioners, and potentially drop out of the programme.

It is a criterion-referenced exam which means that there are no set percentages of passing and failing candidates; it is possible for all of the cohort to pass the test. Based on the standard of previous performance 2015 to 2017), it is estimated that less than 15% of candidates will score below this level.