Practical Clinical Examination Skills & Station Mastery

MRCP PACES Masterclass & Clinical Stations Coaching

Master physical examination routines, 15-minute consultation pacing, and viva communication technique required to pass MRCP PACES on your first attempt. Dedicated station-by-station guidance under senior faculty.

5 Stations
Complete carousel mastery
1:1 Feedback
Direct examiner critique
Small Cohorts
Strictly capped intake
View Cohorts & Enroll 5 Carousel Stations
Cohort Timelines

MRCP PACES Cohort Schedule

Check upcoming intake schedules and secure your place on the priority register.

Cohorts capped to ensure intensive examiner viva critique
Cohort Scheduling in Progress

PACES Cohorts Announced Shortly

New MRCP PACES clinical carousel cohorts are being scheduled. Due to intensive 1:1 examiner critique and clinical station simulations, cohort sizes are strictly capped at 15 doctors. Inquire directly or join our priority notification list to secure early-bird access.

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Carousel Mastery

The 5 PACES Examination Stations

Complete systematic training across every station in the Royal College carousel to pass with confidence.

Station 1

Respiratory & Abdominal

10 Minutes Each System

Flawless physical examination routine under timed conditions. Learn to identify subtle crackles, consolidation, splenomegaly, polycystic kidneys, and present findings fluently without hesitation.

Station 2

History Taking & Consultation

15 Minutes Structured Encounter

Structure the 14-minute candidate consultation: 9 minutes of systematic history and exploring ICE (Ideas, Concerns, Expectations), followed by 5 minutes of examiner discussion and management synthesis.

Station 3

Cardiovascular & Neurology

10 Minutes Each System

Accurately identify prosthetic valve murmurs, aortic stenosis differentials, cerebellar signs, parkinsonian features, and cranial nerve palsies with crisp, examiner-focused presentation.

Station 4

Communication Skills & Medical Ethics

15 Minutes Scenario

Handle challenging communication dilemmas: breaking difficult news, managing medical errors and duty of candour, addressing angry relatives, assessing mental capacity, and resolving ethical dilemmas in clinical practice.

Station 5

Brief Clinical Consultations (5A & 5B)

Two 8-Minute Encounters

Fast-paced integrated clinical encounters replicating modern outpatient and acute ambulatory consultations. Combine targeted history taking, focused physical exam, and reassuring communication within 8 minutes.

Marking Rigor

The 7 Royal College Marking Domains

Every candidate is scored across these 7 core criteria at each carousel station. Our program trains you to hit 'Satisfactory' across all domains.

A. Physical Examination Accurate, fluid, professional technique
B. Identifying Physical Signs Detecting subtle pathology accurately
C. Clinical Judgment Plausible differentials and investigations
D. Managing Patient Concerns Answering questions with genuine empathy
E. Maintaining Patient Welfare Ensuring patient comfort and dignity
F. Communication Skills Clear, jargon-free explanations
G. Managing Ethical & Legal Issues Respecting autonomy, consent, confidentiality, and GMC Good Medical Practice
Transparent Comparison

How Back Benchers Compares for PACES

Compare our intensive 1:1 examiner coaching and carousel simulation against large lecture courses and unguided ward study.

All 5 Carousel Stations Covered
Included
MRCP Back Benchers Stations 1 to 5 (Full Physical Exam + Communication/Consultation)
Standard Courses: Skip Station 4 & 5
Ward Practice: Random & Uneven
7 Royal College Marking Domains
Included
MRCP Back Benchers Official A to G domain rubric scoring for every candidate
Standard Courses: Vague general feedback
Ward Practice: None (No rubric)
1:1 Live Candidate Speaking Time
Included
MRCP Back Benchers Every doctor presents individual cases + instant examiner viva
Standard Courses: Passive spectator (6-8 per group)
Ward Practice: Inconsistent consultant time
Strict Small-Group Intake Cap
Included
MRCP Back Benchers Strictly capped cohorts (max 12-15 doctors)
Standard Courses: Crowded (40-60 doctors)
Ward Practice: Solitary revision
Communication & Ethics Frameworks
Included
MRCP Back Benchers Standardized 14-min structured frameworks for breaking news & consent
Standard Courses: Theory slides only
Ward Practice: No timed structure
Station Case Scenarios & Recordings
Included
MRCP Back Benchers High-yield case scripts + replayable station breakdowns
Standard Courses: Notes only (No replays)
Ward Practice: None
Swipe horizontally to view all columns
Clinical Dimension MRCP Back Benchers Standard PACES Courses Unguided Ward Practice
All 5 Carousel Stations Covered Stations 1 to 5 (Full Physical Exam + Consultations) Often skip Stations 4 & 5 Opportunistic & uneven
7 Royal College Marking Domains Official A to G rubric evaluation for every candidate Broad verbal comments None (No formal rubric)
1:1 Live Candidate Speaking Time Active personal case drill + instant examiner viva Passive spectator (6-8 per group) Irregular bedside time
Strict Small-Group Intake Cap Strictly capped cohorts (max 12-15 doctors) Crowded lecture halls (40-60) Solitary revision
Communication & Ethics Frameworks Standardized 14-min structured frameworks Lecture slides without drills No timed structure
Station Case Scenarios & Recordings Scenario scripts + video breakdown access Handouts only (No video) None
PACES FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about preparing for the PACES clinical carousel.

MRCP PACES is a clinical examination structured as a 5-station carousel: Station 1 (Respiratory & Abdominal examinations, 10 mins each), Station 2 (History Taking & Consultation, 15 mins), Station 3 (Cardiovascular & Neurology examinations, 10 mins each), Station 4 (Communication Skills & Ethics, 15 mins), and Station 5 (Brief Clinical Consultations, two 8-minute encounters).

We provide systematic coaching across all 5 stations and the 7 Royal College marking domains. Training includes high-yield physical examination routines, timed consultation dialogues for Stations 2 & 4, ethical role-play frameworks, case checklists, and live viva critique with experienced mentors.

The examiners assess: 1) Physical Examination Technique, 2) Identifying Physical Signs, 3) Clinical Judgment & Differentials, 4) Managing Patient Concerns, 5) Maintaining Patient Welfare, 6) Communication Skills & Professionalism, and 7) Managing Ethical & Legal Issues.

No. Our PACES Masterclass provides complete station-by-station video demonstrations, checklist frameworks, role-play scripts, and live mentor critique covering all 5 stations.

Because PACES clinical batches are strictly capped at small cohort sizes to guarantee individual mentor feedback and live viva practice, you should register on our priority waitlist to secure early-bird access as soon as cohort dates open.