FRACP Exams

Written Exam

Preparation:

Trainees usually spend about 1 year studying for the written exam.

This is usually spent doing a combination of:

1. Listening to lectures

2. Attending Q&A sessions

3. Participating in study groups

4. Private study

You do not have to be in a study group if you prefer to study alone, however, many people find this helpful both academically and for peer support. You can find some more thoughts in this brief article from current Consultants who recall their exam preparation vividly!

For more information on preparation and application for the written exam please go to: Divisional Written Examination

Lecture Series:

I. National Lecture Series

The RACP commenced a national lecture series in July 2021 consisting of all topics in the curriculum. These lectures are recorded by specialists from around Australia and New Zealand and are checked by 2 different editors for relevance and appropriateness.

This should be your starting point and the foundation for building on your knowledge of the paediatric curriculum. This series is not exhaustive however, and you should also read around the topics.

The National College Lecture Series (CLS) and Knowledge Guides can be accessed here: RACP Online Learning

Details of the CLS Paediatrics and Child Health lecture series by topic can be found here. Clicking on the links in the document will take you to the RACP CLS lectures (you will need your RACP log in and password).

The Knowledge Guides provide information relating to each specialty including:

• Key presentations and conditions

• Less common or more complex presentations and conditions

• Epidemiology, pathophysiology and clinical sciences

• Investigations, procedures and clinical assessment tools

• Important specific issues

II. Local Q&A Sessions

To add to the National Lecture Series, there will be live Q&A sessions with specialists to answer your questions. An information session is held annually in February and the Q&A sessions are held weekly (Tuesday evenings) from August (via Teams).

The Q&A schedule can be found on the password protected page. Current trainees who require the password for this page should email: training@vbptc.com.au

Please note that these specialists are giving up their time to assist trainees. Please be respectful of their time and effort by joining the session on time and being prepared with questions.

Clinical Exam

Preparation:

Ideally, trainees should prepare for the written and clinical exam at the same time. This can be done by a combination of:

1. Doing a thorough job at work

2. Attending tutorials

3. Presenting long cases (either privately or in a group)

4. Seeing short cases with your peers/fellow/consultant

5. Private study

What you need:

List can be found here (under ‘exam day’ tab).

IMPORTANT: In order to participate in long case exam preparation at RCH and / or MCH, trainees must be appropriately credentialed. This includes being employed by RCH, MCH or another Victorian Health Service (on a casual / locum, part time or full time basis). You must be employed in order to obtain a ‘letter of good standing’ from your current employer. Please refer to the guidelines for further details.

General information:

All VBPTC locations are able to assist candidates with their preparation for the clinical exam. If there isn’t an official exam preparation calendar at your location, please speak with your supervisor or head of unit to identify exam practice opportunities for you.

Please contact the RCH Chief Resident Medical Officer (CRMO) if you would like to sign up and participate in the RCH preparation opportunities: clinicalexam@rch.org.au.

Please contact the MCH CRMOs for any queries relating to the Monash activities: Emma Turton (emma.turton@monashhealth.org) or Rachel Allen (rachel.allen2@monashhealth.org).

Public & private opportunities overseen by RCH and MCH Chief Resident Medical Officers (CRMO):

• RCH Public short cases:

  • Timing: Tuesdays, 17.30 - 18.30

  • Location: Clinic A5, Room 619 (Ground Floor)

  • Format: Two candidates will examine a patient observed by a consultant. Two additional trainees will act as ‘helpers’.

  • CRMO tip: these sessions cannot run without helpers, so please take this role seriously! Ensure you set up a swap if you are unable to attend.

• RCH Public long cases:

  • Timing: Fridays, 16.30 - 18.00

  • Location: Vernon Collins theatre or room 1.045 (Health and Education Learning Precinct - level 1, west building)

  • Format: Two candidates present to a consultant. One trainee is allocated to assist with technical set up, as the session will be streamed to other trainees via Teams.

  • CRMO tip: although confronting, this is an extremely valuable experience! Presenting under pressure is one of the most effective forms of preparation.

• Statewide Private long cases:

  • Format: A rotating roster of Advanced Trainees and consultants has generously volunteered to assist trainees. Each candidate will be allocated one AT or consultant per week. The candidate will see a patient independently and present a long case

  • CRMO tip: this is an invaluable opportunity to refine structure, management discussions, and receive individualised feedback from both recent candidates and experienced examiners. This could form the backbone of your long case preparation!

• RCH Neurology Bedside tutorials (with Dr Ian Woodcock):

  • Timing: Tuesdays, 08.30

  • Location: Cockatoo Fishbowl (level 4)

  • Format: 2 candidates and 3 observers are allocated each week. Observers are responsible for identifying and consenting 2 - 3 suitable patients beforehand.

• RCH Rehab lectures (with Dr Neil Wimalasundera)

  • Timing: Wednesdays (from 15 April - 6 May), from 17.30

  • Location: Vernon Collins theatre (Health and Education Learning Precinct - level 1, west building)

  • Location: note - the session being held on 6 May will take place in the Ella Latham Meeting Room, ground floor (near the entrance to Ella Latham auditorium)

  • Format: Topics include gait and development. These lectures will not be recorded due to the inclusion of patient videos.

• Clinic Observer opportunities:

  • Several RCH clinics are happy to accommodate exam candidates to observe, and in some cases examine patients.

  • Format: a sign-up sheet will be circulated once clinic availability is confirmed.

• Long case hot seating:

  • Timing: Wednesdays or Thursdays, 18.30 - 19.30

  • Location: via Teams

  • Format: These sessions focus on practicing management ‘spiels’ and answering structured questions under pressure. 4 candidates per session respond to questions from a consultant or Advanced Trainee. Other trainees may observe via Teams.

  • CRMO tip: this is excellent preparation for refining concise, structured answers!

• Monash Children’s Hospital (MCH) tutorials:

  • Timing: Saturday mornings from 14 March, 2026

  • Location: candidates attend in person at MCH, and other trainees attend via Teams

  • Format:

    • 0800-0900: Candidate does f2f patient interview then has 10 mins thinking time

    • 0915-0940: Examiners hear long case (streamed via Teams)

    • 0940-0950: Long case feedback

    • 0950-1010: 20 minute didactic component by one of the examiners on whatever topic they wish (generally an aspect of physical examination that in their observation trainees do poorly)

    • 1020- 1045: Live short case: candidate plus one observer in room with examiners (streamed via Teams)

    • 1045- 1055: Short case feedback

    • 1055- 1115: Q & A / contingency time

Boot camp:

The annual Bootcamp was held at RCH on 21 and 22 February 2026. Attendance was open to Victorian or Tasmanian trainees intending to sit their clinical this year.

Bootcamp resources can be found on the VBPTC password protected page. Current trainees wanting to access this page can contact us at training@vbptc.com.au

 FAQs