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MRCGP regulations: Reasonable adjustments and circumstances

Publication date: 31 August 2023

8.1. Trainees sitting any component of the MRCGP who have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010 are entitled to request reasonable adjustments to the examination. The RCGP is committed to delivering reasonable adjustments, to ensure no trainee is disadvantaged.

8.2. The RCGP reasonable adjustment policy sets out the process for making an application for a reasonable adjustment for examinations set and assessed by the RCGP. The policy is published on the website. Read the reasonable adjustments policy on the RCGP website.

8.3. Trainees should refer to the RCGP webpage on Reasonable Adjustments for information about Reasonable Adjustments for Workplace Based Assessment (WPBA). Read the Reasonable Adjustments webpage.

8.4. It is the responsibility of the RCGP to make reasonable adjustments to any aspect of the delivery of the examination that places the trainee at a disadvantage compared to a non-disabled trainee, provided this does not affect the competence standard(s) being assessed.

8.5. Where a reasonable adjustment is required to enable the trainee to perform a consultation in the workplace, it is not the responsibility of the RCGP to make such an adjustment. Trainees should liaise with the GP training practice or their employer regarding such adjustments.

8.6. Trainees who want to request reasonable adjustments for the AKT or SCA can submit their request to the RCGP at any point upon entering training. The last date for submitting reasonable adjustment requests for each examination day or diet will be published on the RCGP website and will not be less than 15 working days before the examination booking window opens.

8.7. Once approved, most reasonable adjustments will apply to all subsequent sittings of the applicable component unless there is a change to trainee requirements, and these are notified to RCGP.

8.8. A separate Request for Reasonable Adjustment form must be completed for each component. Trainees must provide details of their diagnosis, explain how the diagnosis would potentially impact on performance on their examination, and detail what adjustments are being requested that might overcome that disadvantage.

8.9. The application form must be accompanied by appropriate supporting evidence. Details of suitable evidence are provided in the Reasonable Adjustments Policy. Read the reasonable adjustments policy on the RCGP website.

8.10. The form and supporting evidence must be submitted electronically. Hard copies sent by post will not be accepted.

8.11. Each application will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Trainees will be informed in writing whether adjustments to examination procedures will be made, and of the nature of those adjustments. Appeals against decisions regarding reasonable adjustments should be made in writing, addressed to the Chief Examiner, and emailed to exams@rcgp.org.uk. Hard copies sent by post will not be accepted.

8.12. Information and evidence about a trainee's disability and requirement for reasonable adjustments will be treated as sensitive personal information. It will be kept confidential and only passed to those who need to know. In some cases, this may include the decision makers (in the case of an appeal) or the examiners.

8.13. Pearson VUE test centres, used for the AKT, vary in their ability to accommodate trainees who require particular adjustments, and therefore there may be some restrictions on the choice of AKT examination centre for trainees with some impairments.

Mitigating circumstances

9.1. Mitigating circumstances are serious, unforeseen, unpreventable events that significantly affect trainee performance.

9.2. All trainees who present themselves for an MRCGP examination are deemed fit to take the examination and are required to submit a declaration to that effect as part of the registration process on the day.

9.3. All reports of mitigating circumstances must be submitted to the RCGP’s examinations team as soon as the circumstances arise or as soon as possible thereafter and no later than 48 hours after the examination takes place. The only exception is where the trainee can demonstrate that they were unaware of the mitigating circumstances at the time of the examination.

9.4. A RCGP Mitigating Circumstances Form must be completed, supported by compelling and independent, written evidence of the mitigating circumstances, and emailed to exams@rcgp.org.uk. Hard copies sent by post will not be accepted. Mitigating circumstances for reasons of illness must be supported by a medical certificate and any other relevant information.

9.5. No report of mitigating circumstances, submitted after the publication of results, will be considered unless the trainee can provide compelling and independent evidence that they were unable, for whatever reason, to make the RCGP aware of them at an earlier stage.

9.6. If an application for mitigating circumstances is refused the trainee may make a complaint to the RCGP using the complaints procedure contained in Section 16 of these Regulations.

Read Feedback and Complaints, and Appeals for more information.

Pregnancy

10.1. There are a number of sittings of the AKT, SCA and RCA examinations. Pregnant trainees should plan to take an examination in sufficient time before or after their due date.

10.2. If a trainee has booked a sitting of the AKT, SCA or RCA and subsequently develops pregnancy-related problems or illness close to the date of the examination, or is in sufficient discomfort on the day of the examination to believe that their condition will have a detrimental effect on performance, the trainee should withdraw from the sitting and, as soon as possible thereafter, submit a medical certificate to the RCGP Examinations Team. In these circumstances the RCGP may refund some of the fee minus a standard cancellation fee.

10.3. Pregnant trainees may request reasonable adjustments for the AKT and SCA. The application process is identical to all other reasonable adjustment applications and supporting evidence will be required. Additional time is not granted as standard and is based on individual trainee needs.