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The first Specialist Certificate Examination in Geriatric Medicine (SCE) was held on 4th March.

Geriatric Medicine was the second medical specialty to hold an SCE. Gastroenterology held the first SCE in June 2008. The examination was conducted as a computer based test and 15 candidates sat the exam at 7 Pearson Vue test centres around the UK.

The examination consisted of two 3-hour sessions, during each session candidates answered 100 best-of-five questions. All 200 questions were new (i.e. had not previously been tested), and had been written specifically for the SCE. Questions had been standard set before the exam by the Standard Setting Group, using the modified Angoff’s method of criterion referencing to produce a pass-mark which for this examination was set at 59.4%.

All 15 candidates passed the examination (mean score 69%). Congratulations to all concerned!

The date for next year’s examination has not yet been finalised but it will almost certainly be held in March again. As soon as the date is confirmed, I shall publicise it through the usual BGS and JRCPTB channels and the information will be available on the MRCP(UK) website. Please note that at this stage the Federation proposes to hold only one diet (one exam sitting) each year for all medical specialties. This has very important implications for trainees.

At least one candidate experienced problems booking in to the nearest Pearson Vue centre to sit the recent SCE and had to travel to another centre. These concerns have been fed back to the Federation who in turn have liaised with Pearson Vue. To reduce the chance of this happening in future, the SCE Project Manager emphasises the need to book early for the SCE and not to leave it to the last minute. Changes are also being made to the SCE registration period to improve the situation.

Two other significant bits of news:

Retakes/Resits
I am pleased to say that in response to feedback (in particular from trainees) the Federation has changed its policy on the question of free resits/retakes.

The Federation writes:
“The Federation has re-examined the option of offering retakes free of charge and has agreed to introduce a second sitting free of charge to candidates who fail their first attempt during 2008 – 2010.

Therefore, all candidates who take the exam for the first time in 2008, 2009 or 2010 and who fail their first attempt will automatically be offered a retake at no extra charge. This offer will apply to all candidates, both in the UK and overseas. It will be backdated and made available to all candidates who have already taken the examination and did not pass”.

This is something the BGS, and in particular our trainees, have been pressing for for sometime so although this decision has come late in the day persistence has clearly paid off!

Postnominals
The Federation has agreed to grant the postnominal: Cert.RCP(UK) (Specialty) to all candidates who pass the SCE. We therefore have definite confirmation that the Federation’s original proposed postnominal ‘Diploma’ will not be used.

Only UK trainees who go on to attain their CCT will be able to upgrade/convert this to MRCP(UK) (Specialty).

I shall ensure any news of further significant changes is disseminated through the usual channels to colleagues and trainees.

Oliver J Corrado
Lead Physician SCE Geriatric Medicine

BGS Newsletter, May 2009
Issue 21 ISSN 1748-6343 21