Back to Library
Internal Medicine

Medicine MRCP (PACES)

Walk into your PACES OSCE having already done it — dozens of times

Practise the real PACES stations out loud against a simulated patient who responds realistically, any time of day. Get instant, examiner-style feedback after every encounter — no study partner, no booking, no waiting.

Practise PACES stations Free trial — no card required

What is the PACES OSCE, and how do you practise for it?

MRCP(UK) PACES is the clinical examination that completes MRCP(UK) membership, taken after Part 1 — a 125-minute carousel of five stations assessing physical examination, communication, consultation skills and clinical judgement. MedMock lets you rehearse its four spoken encounters (two Communication, two Consultation) out loud against a realistic AI patient and examiner, with instant feedback on the PACES clinical skills.

Last reviewed September 2026

⏳ Count down to the next PACES sitting

You can know the medicine and still freeze in the room

The PACES tests more than what you know — it tests what you can do with a real person in front of you, under time pressure. You can read every guideline and still mishandle the opening line, miss the patient's cue, or run out of time.

There is only one way to address this: practise out loud, repeatedly. The difficulty is finding someone to practise with. Study partners cancel, seniors are busy, and courses cost hundreds of pounds and book out months ahead — so most candidates arrive under-rehearsed and rely on adrenaline on the day.

PACES OSCE practice, on demand

MRCP(UK) PACES is the clinical examination that completes MRCP(UK) membership, usually sat by Internal Medicine Training doctors after passing Part 1. The real exam is a 125-minute carousel of five stations and eight encounters marked on seven clinical skills: two Communication encounters, two integrated Consultations and four physical-examination encounters. MedMock covers the four spoken encounters — Communication (Stations 1 and 4) and Consultation (Stations 2 and 5) — with the real timings; the physical-examination encounters are not simulated.

MedMock gives you a simulated patient who responds realistically, available 24/7. Pick a station, have a genuine spoken conversation, and get instant, examiner-style feedback the moment you finish — scored against what genuinely matters in the PACES. No rota conflicts, no study partner, no waiting your turn. Simply practise whenever you have a few minutes.

How it works

1

Choose a station

Pick from the PACES stations — all 4 that MedMock runs, or let MedMock surprise you the way exam day will.

2

Have the conversation

Speak naturally, out loud. The AI patient responds in real time — with emotions, cues and unexpected turns, just like a real encounter.

3

Get instant feedback

The moment you finish, you get specific, examiner-style feedback and a score — what you did well, what cost you marks, and precisely what to fix before the next attempt.

Why candidates practise with MedMock

Practise out loud, any time

No study partner, no booking, no rota clash. Open MedMock at 6am or midnight and run a full station in minutes.

All 4 stations, endless variations

You will never simply memorise answers. Each run is different, so you build the real skill — adapting in the moment.

Examiner-level feedback in seconds

Know exactly where you lost marks and how to address it, instead of guessing why a mock session went poorly.

Turn nerves into muscle memory

By the time you sit the PACES, the format feels familiar — because you have already done it dozens of times.

A fraction of the cost of courses

Avoid the hundreds of pounds you would spend on a one-off exam course, and practise a deep bank of scenarios instead.

Practise anywhere, from your phone

On a break, during the commute, between lessons or shifts — your preparation goes wherever you do.

Practise every station

MedMock covers the four spoken PACES encounters — two Communication and two Consultation — with the real timings. The four physical-examination encounters (respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological and abdominal) are not simulated.

1

Station 1: Communication

5 minutes' reading, then a 10-minute conversation with a patient, relative or healthcare worker — explaining a diagnosis or treatment, breaking bad news, or an ethically difficult discussion. The examiners observe and ask no questions. Marked on Clinical Communication, Clinical Judgement, Managing Patients' Concerns and Maintaining Patient Welfare.

2

Station 2: Consultation

5 minutes' reading, 15 minutes with one patient — history, explanation and an agreed plan — then 5 minutes answering the examiner's questions on the case. The real station also includes a focused examination, which is not simulated here.

3

Station 4: Communication

A second 10-minute Communication encounter after 5 minutes' reading, on a different scenario. No examiner questions.

4

Station 5: Consultation

A second Consultation on a different presentation: 5 minutes' reading, 15 minutes with the patient, then 5 minutes of examiner questions.

Example scenarios

A sample of the scenarios you will practise — each plays out as a live, spoken conversation, not a script to read.

Station 1: Communication

Discuss the withdrawal of active life-prolonging treatments with the son of an elderly patient with end-stage dementia.

Station 2: Consultation

A 45-year-old woman referred by her GP with new palpitations and breathlessness on exertion. Assess her problem, address her concerns and agree a plan.

Station 4: Communication

Explain to a patient that a medication error led to them receiving the wrong dose, and address their concerns.

Station 5: Consultation

A 40-year-old man referred to the medical clinic with double vision and a drooping eyelid. Assess his problem, address his concerns and agree a plan.

PACES practice — your questions answered

How realistic is MedMock's PACES practice?

Every scenario is built around the real PACES OSCE format and the domains examiners assess. You speak out loud and the AI patient responds in real time, so it feels far closer to the day than reading notes or rehearsing silently.

How does the feedback work?

As soon as you finish a station, MedMock gives you instant, examiner-style feedback and a score — highlighting what you did well, what cost you marks, and exactly what to work on next.

Can I practise specific PACES stations?

Yes. You can pick any of the 4 stations to drill a weak area, or run a mixed set to simulate the real exam.

Do I need a study partner or a fixed time slot?

No. That is the point — MedMock is available 24/7 and you practise alone, out loud, whenever it suits you. No coordinating diaries, no waiting for a course date.

Is MedMock right for me if I am sitting the PACES?

If your PACES exam involves speaking — histories, explanations, breaking news, dealing with patients and colleagues — then spoken rehearsal is exactly what MedMock is built for.

How much does it cost?

Far less than a one-off exam course. Every plan includes a monthly credit allowance, and everyone starts with a free trial — no card required — so you can see how it works before paying. See current options on our pricing page.

Disclaimer: National medical recruitment formats and Royal College examination criteria are subject to change annually. While Medmock checks each format against the latest published guidance from the responsible body (the Royal Colleges, the Federation of Royal Colleges of Physicians, NHS England, the GMC and others), always consult your official candidate guidance or applicant handbook for the definitive, up-to-date station requirements for your specific cohort.

AVAILABLE NOW

Ready for your PACES OSCE?

Rehearse real PACES scenarios out loud and get instant, examiner-style feedback.

  • Instant, personalised feedback
  • Real voice-to-voice conversation
  • Repeatable attempts, endless variations
Practise PACES stations

Guides to help you prepare

How to break bad news in an OSCE (the SPIKES framework) How to take a focused history in an OSCE station How to explain a diagnosis or treatment to a patient (OSCE) How to give an SBAR handover or referral (OSCE) How to take consent in an OSCE station PLAB 2 vs MRCP PACES: what's the difference?

Related exams to practise

ExamPLAB 2PLABExamPsychiatry CASCPsychiatryExamSexual & Reproductive Healthcare (MCSRH Part II OSCE)Sexual HealthExamMRCEMEmergencyExamMRCS BSurgeryExamMRCGP SCAGeneral Practice

Be ready for your PACES OSCE before you walk in

Start rehearsing PACES OSCE scenarios out loud today, get instant feedback, and turn exam-day nerves into something you have already done a hundred times.

Practise PACES stations