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The entry theory paper of MRCPCH — 100 best-of-five SBAs in two hours via TestReach. Verified 2026 diet dates, published RCPCH curriculum mapping, candidate-reported pitfalls and an AI-adaptive question bank aligned to the theory blueprint.
Full MRCPCH FOP bank, AI Tutor and timed mocks — $29/month or $99/year. All paid exam banks included.
100 best-of-five SBA questions · 2 hours · delivered by TestReach (since 2025)
Most candidates sit FOP in the morning and TAS in the afternoon on the same diet day. Both papers can be taken at a Pearson VUE test centre or online with remote invigilation (if eligible).
Best-of-five SBA. Multiple true/false questions are no longer used in FOP and TAS since the 2024.3 diet update. Pass marks set per diet (Angoff method) — the third-judgement step was removed from 2025.2.
6 attempts at each part of the MRCPCH theory (FOP, TAS, AKP) — introduced from the 2024.3 diet onwards.
2026/01: 18 February (applications opened 1 December 2025, closed 8 December 2025 for test centres). 2026/02: 24 June (applications opened 30 March, closed 6 April 2026). 2026/03: 14 October (applications opened 27 July, close 3 August 2026). Application windows last about 5 days for online invigilation and 7 days for test centres.
Approximate question distribution across the RCPCH FOP blueprint. Used to drive iatroX adaptive sequencing.
Source: official Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) blueprint
Mapped to the published RCPCH theory blueprint and prioritised using item-density signals across the iatroX bank.
Neonatal resuscitation — Newborn Life Support (NLS) 2021 algorithm, drying and warming, when to escalate, oxygen targets by age (60% then titrate)
Fever in under 5s — NICE NG143 traffic light system, sepsis screening thresholds, empirical antibiotics by age, when lumbar puncture is mandatory
Bronchiolitis vs viral wheeze vs asthma — distinguishing features, NICE NG9 bronchiolitis criteria for admission, BTS/SIGN asthma severity ladder
UK Immunisation Schedule (Green Book) — primary course, pre-school boosters, HPV (universal from age 12-13, 1 dose since Sept 2023), MenACWY, MenB, RSV maternal/infant programmes (added 2024)
Safeguarding — recognising NAI patterns (TEN-4-FACESp bruising rule, fractures inconsistent with developmental stage), fabricated/induced illness, escalation to social care
Growth and feeding — failure to thrive workup, breastfeeding troubleshooting, formula choices, weight loss thresholds in newborns (>10% birth weight)
Common childhood rashes — meningococcal (non-blanching petechial), HSP purpura, atopic eczema, viral exanthems (chickenpox, hand-foot-and-mouth, slapped cheek)
Status epilepticus — paediatric APLS algorithm (lorazepam → buccal midazolam → phenytoin/levetiracetam → thiopentone induction), timing matters
Observations from UK paediatric trainees and recent FOP candidates. Verify against current NICE and BNFc guidance.
Candidate-reported observations — not official guidance.
A pragmatic phased approach used by recent ST1–ST3 paediatric passers, often paired with TAS preparation.
A live item from the iatroX bank. Try it before launching a full session.
A 4-year-old boy has fever, leg pain and bruising. Examination shows pallor, petechiae and hepatosplenomegaly; full blood count shows Hb 76 g/L, platelets 38 x 10^9/L and neutrophils 0.6 x 10^9/L. What is the most appropriate investigation?
Why iatroX is built differently for MRCPCH FOP.
Every iatroX item is tagged to a blueprint topic, so your performance dashboard mirrors the structure of the exam itself.
The engine surfaces your weakest topics first, in real time, instead of marching you through a static syllabus.
Incorrect items return at increasing intervals to interrupt the forgetting curve and lock knowledge into long-term memory.
Timed full-length simulations that mirror the official exam structure under realistic conditions.
One iatroX subscription includes the MRCPCH FOP bank, the Socratic Tutor inside supported sessions, and every other premium iatroX exam bank.
Cancel anytime · 7-day money-back guarantee on annual
MRCPCH consists of three theory papers — Foundation of Practice (FOP), Theory and Science (TAS) and Applied Knowledge in Practice (AKP) — plus a clinical OSCE (MRCPCH Clinical). The three theory exams can be sat in any order, but all three must be passed before sitting the Clinical. FOP is typically the entry-level theory paper, sat in ST1 or early ST2.
Three diets per year. 2026/01: 18 February. 2026/02: 24 June. 2026/03: 14 October. FOP and TAS are sat on the same day — FOP in the morning, TAS in the afternoon.
A single paper of 100 best-of-five SBAs over 2 hours, delivered via TestReach (since 2025). From the 2024.3 diet, the paper length was shortened from the previous format. Question style is best-of-five SBA only — multiple true/false has been removed.
Pass marks are set per diet using the Angoff standard-setting method. From the 2025.2 diet onwards, the third-judgement step (post-candidate-performance review) was removed, simplifying the process. There is no fixed percentage — the pass mark accounts for paper difficulty.
From the 2024.3 diet onwards, candidates have a maximum of 6 attempts at each of the four MRCPCH parts (FOP, TAS, AKP, Clinical). Previously there was no formal limit.
Online remote invigilation is available, subject to eligibility (no test centre in country of residence, approved reasonable adjustment etc.). Most candidates sit at a Pearson VUE-style test centre. Application windows are slightly shorter for online than for test centre (5 days vs 7 days).
Yes. A single iatroX subscription (£29/month or £99/year for UK users; $29/$99 elsewhere) includes the MRCPCH FOP bank alongside MRCPCH TAS, AKP and every other premium iatroX exam bank. No add-ons or per-exam fees.
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Reviewed by Dr Kola Tytler MBBS CertHE MBA MSt MRCGP · Last reviewed 12 May 2026
See our methodology and editorial policy.