Planning your 2026 exam schedule requires knowing dates, deadlines, and fees across multiple awarding bodies. This calendar compiles every major UK postgraduate medical and pharmacy exam in one reference page.
Application deadlines typically close 7-8 weeks before the sitting (especially for MRCGP AKT). Pearson VUE test centres have finite seats — popular locations sell out early. Check your training year eligibility before applying.
Master Exam Calendar 2026
MRCGP AKT (RCGP)
- January 2026: Application December 2025. Results February 2026.
- April 2026: Application February-March 2026. Results May 2026.
- July 2026: Application May 2026. Results August 2026.
- October 2026: Application August 2026. Results November 2026.
- Format: 160 questions, 160 minutes (from October 2025). Fee: £470. Max attempts: 4.
- Candidates/year: ~6,000 across all sittings.
MRCGP SCA/RCA (RCGP)
- Multiple sittings per year. Application ~8 weeks before.
- Fee: £1,076. Candidates/year: ~4,500.
UKMLA AKT / PLAB 1 (GMC)
- Multiple sittings: Approximately January, May, August, November.
- Format: 180 SBAs, 3 hours. Fee: ~£270-283. Rolling application.
- From September 2026: All sittings based on updated MLA content map.
- Candidates/year: ~8,000+ (IMGs).
UKMLA CPSA / PLAB 2 (GMC)
- Multiple sittings throughout the year. Held in Manchester (IMGs).
- Format: 18 OSCE stations, 8 minutes each. Fee: ~£980-1,000.
MRCP Part 1 (MRCP(UK))
- Three sittings/year: Approximately February, June, October.
- Application: ~8 weeks before. Fee: £502 (UK) / £672 (international).
- Candidates/year: ~5,000.
MRCP Part 2 Written (MRCP(UK))
- Three sittings/year: Approximately March, July, November.
- Fee: £559 (UK).
MRCP PACES (MRCP(UK))
- Multiple sittings throughout the year at approved centres.
DRCOG (RCOG)
- March 2026 and October 2026.
- Format: 120 SBAs, 3 hours, Pearson VUE. Fee: £476 (UK).
- Application: ~8 weeks before. Candidates/year: ~700.
FFICM Final MCQ (FICM/RCoA)
- Four diets per year (quarterly). Remote via TestReach.
- Fee: £510 (MCQ). OSCE/SOE: £635 combined.
- OSCE/SOE: Twice yearly at RCoA London. Candidates/year: ~450.
GPhC Common Registration Assessment
- June 2026: Assessment day Tuesday 16 June. Results 21 July. Application closes 14 April.
- November 2026: Dates to be confirmed.
- Format: Part 1 (40 calculations, 2 hours) + Part 2 (120 SBAs/EMQs, 2.5 hours). Fee: Check GPhC website.
- Max attempts: 3 lifetime. Candidates/year: ~4,000.
DGM (RCP/BGS)
- KBA: Once per year (typically spring). Results ~6 weeks after.
- Clinical OSCE: Twice yearly — June and November at The Spine, Liverpool.
- Format: KBA: 100 best-of-five, 3 hours, online. OSCE: 4 stations, 15 minutes each.
DFSRH Written / OTA (FSRH)
- OTA: Online, available throughout the year. £85 per attempt.
- AHD: Scheduled by approved providers. Approximately £260.
DipIMC (RCSEd/FPHC)
- Twice yearly: Typically January and June/July at RCSEd Edinburgh.
- Format: Part A: 180 SBAs, 3 hours. Part B: 14-station OSPE.
- Fee: ~£725-760.
DCH (RCPCH)
- FOP theory: Bi-annual. Clinical OSCE: Bi-annual.
- Fee: ~£350.
DTM&H (Worshipful Society of Apothecaries)
- Once per year: Wednesday 27 May 2026 (online). Application closes 10 March 2026.
- Format: 4 papers in one day (MCQs, SSQ essay, SAQ parasitology). Fee: £570.
MSRA (NHS England)
- Testing window 1 (all specialties): 6-19 January 2026.
- Testing window 2 (GP and Psychiatry): 12-25 February 2026.
- Free to sit. Results: March 2026.
How to Use This Calendar
Book early — especially for MRCGP AKT (5-6 day application windows fill fast) and Pearson VUE centres for all computer-based exams. Start revision 12-16 weeks before your target sitting. Use iatroX to begin adaptive preparation from day one — the Q-bank covers every exam on this calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the MRCGP AKT in 2026? Four sittings: January, April, July, and October 2026.
When is the DRCOG exam in 2026? Twice yearly: March and October 2026.
When does the GPhC registration assessment take place in 2026? Two sittings: June 2026 (16 June) and November 2026.
How far in advance do I need to apply for the MRCGP AKT? The application window is 5-6 days, opening 7-8 weeks before the sitting.
When is the DTM&H exam in 2026? Wednesday 27 May 2026. Application closes 10 March 2026.
When is the MSRA in 2026? Testing window 1: 6-19 January 2026 (all specialties). Testing window 2: 12-25 February 2026 (GP and Psychiatry only).
Revise with iatroX — adaptive Q-banks for every exam on this calendar.
All dates require verification against official awarding body websites before use. Last updated: April 2026. iatroX is an independent resource not affiliated with any awarding body.