RCPA Haematology Fellowship Examination Format Explained
Overall structure
Two-part single-discipline exam after a minimum of 5 years training.
Components and structure
The RCPA Haematology Fellowship Examination is assessed across the following components:
- Part I Written Paper (mixed-format) — 195 min. MCQ + SAQ; all Part I components must be passed.
- Part I Digital Slides (Morphology) (digital slides) — 195 min.
- Part I Dry Practical (practical) — 195 min.
- Part I Oral (oral). Structured oral; station counts not publicly specified.
- Part II Oral (oral). Consultant-level structured oral only.
Part I (all four components) must be passed before Part II. Part II is a structured oral only, in the final year of approved training.
Exam format glossary
Key assessment formats used in the RCPA Haematology Fellowship Examination, defined. Each definition is general and applies across colleges.
- Multiple Choice Question (MCQ)
- A written item that presents a clinical or factual stem with several answer options, of which one or more are correct, marked automatically against a key.
- Short Answer Question (SAQ)
- A written question that requires a structured free-text response, marked by examiners against a model answer or rubric rather than by machine.
- Viva voce
- A structured oral examination in which examiners question the candidate in real time, assessing reasoning, justification and depth of understanding under pressure.
- Digital slides (virtual microscopy)
- Whole-slide pathology images interpreted on screen, replacing the glass-slide microscope station in modern pathology examinations.
What the format means for your preparation
The single most common preparation mistake is studying as if the examination only had an MCQ component. Format-aware preparation looks like this:
- MCQ components reward high question volume and pattern recognition. Read explanations, not just answers, and revisit weak domains with spaced repetition.
- Short answer / SAQ components reward a prioritised, structured response under time pressure. Practise writing complete answers in the available time, not just outlining points.
- Viva or OSCE components reward verbalised structured reasoning. Practise aloud, ideally with feedback, rather than rehearsing silently.
- Practical or image-based components reward repeated exposure under time pressure. Build a routine that includes timed slide or image interpretation.
What separates pass from fail under this format
Across multiple sittings, these failure modes recur:
- Laboratory science gaps - the practical component tests bench-level haematology that requires hands-on preparation beyond clinical work.
- Insufficient depth in haemostasis and coagulation, which is consistently challenging for candidates from clinical backgrounds.
- SAQ answers that lack examiner-standard structure - concise, prioritised answers outperform lengthy prose.
- Neglecting morphology revision - blood film and marrow interpretation requires systematic image-based practice.
How PRIMEX maps to the format
- SAQ and written practice mapped to the RCPA Haematology Fellowship curriculum.
- Image-based MCQ practice for blood film and marrow morphology interpretation.
- Weak-domain analytics to guide revision across clinical and laboratory components.
Start your 7-day free PRIMEX trial for the RCPA Haematology Fellowship Examination and practise in the format you will actually sit.
Start free trialFrequently asked questions
What is the format of the RCPA Haematology Fellowship Examination?
Two-part single-discipline exam after a minimum of 5 years training.
How many components does the RCPA Haematology Fellowship Examination have?
The examination has 5 assessed components, examined and weighted as the examining body specifies. The structured breakdown above reflects the official examination materials.
Which component is hardest?
Difficulty varies by candidate. Most fail-tier outcomes trace back to underprepared structured-answer technique or insufficient question practice volume rather than to one specific component.
How should the format change how I prepare?
Match your practice mode to the format. SAQ paper means write structured timed answers; viva or OSCE means rehearse speaking aloud under time pressure; MCQ means build pattern recognition through high-volume practice.
Does PRIMEX cover every component?
PRIMEX covers each component of the RCPA Haematology Fellowship Examination with format-specific practice: MCQ banks, AI-graded SAQ practice, and viva or OSCE simulation as the format requires.