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Membership of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (MRCPI General Medicine Part II Clinical): Study Tips That Actually Work [ Study Tips ](https://mdster.com/blog?category=study-tips) Membership of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (MRCPI General Medicine Part II Clinical): Study Tips That Actually Work =================================================================================================================================== A practical bedside plan for long cases, short cases, and communication stations [ MDster Editorial Team ](https://mdster.com/about) · Jul 03, 2026 · 6 min read · 15 [ Reviewed by Dr. Ali Ragab, MBBCH, MSc, MCAI ](https://mdster.com/medical-reviewers/dr-ali-ragab) [Editorial Policy](https://mdster.com/editorial-policy) | [Corrections Policy](https://mdster.com/corrections) [ Internal Medicine ](https://mdster.com/blog?tag=internal-medicine) [ Study Tips ](https://mdster.com/blog?tag=study-tips) [ Medical Education ](https://mdster.com/blog?tag=medical-education) [ MRCPI ](https://mdster.com/blog?tag=mrcpi) [ Clinical Exam ](https://mdster.com/blog?tag=clinical-exam) ![Membership of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (MRCPI General Medicine Part II Clinical): Study Tips That Actually Work](https://mdster.com/storage/blog/images/membership-of-the-royal-college-of-physicians-of-ireland-mrcpi-general-medicine-part-ii-cl.jpg) Share this article Share this post On this page 1. [ Start With the Marking Sheet ](#start-with-the-marking-sheet) 2. [ Build a Repeatable Long-Case Script ](#build-a-repeatable-long-case-script) 3. [ A simple long-case workflow ](#a-simple-long-case-workflow) 4. [ Make Short Cases a Six-Minute Drill ](#make-short-cases-a-six-minute-drill) 5. [ Use one verbal template every time ](#use-one-verbal-template-every-time) 6. [ Treat Communication and Ethics as Scored Medicine ](#treat-communication-and-ethics-as-scored-medicine) 7. [ A safe structure for these stations ](#a-safe-structure-for-these-stations) 8. [ Study Schedule Template ](#study-schedule-template) 9. [ Resources That Give the Best Return ](#resources-that-give-the-best-return) 10. [ Common Pitfalls ](#common-pitfalls) 11. [ Key Takeaways ](#key-takeaways) 12. [ Frequently Asked Questions ](#blog-faqs) 13. [ References ](#references-heading) On this page 1. [ Start With the Marking Sheet ](#start-with-the-marking-sheet) 2. [ Build a Repeatable Long-Case Script ](#build-a-repeatable-long-case-script) 3. [ A simple long-case workflow ](#a-simple-long-case-workflow) 4. [ Make Short Cases a Six-Minute Drill ](#make-short-cases-a-six-minute-drill) 5. [ Use one verbal template every time ](#use-one-verbal-template-every-time) 6. [ Treat Communication and Ethics as Scored Medicine ](#treat-communication-and-ethics-as-scored-medicine) 7. [ A safe structure for these stations ](#a-safe-structure-for-these-stations) 8. [ Study Schedule Template ](#study-schedule-template) 9. [ Resources That Give the Best Return ](#resources-that-give-the-best-return) 10. [ Common Pitfalls ](#common-pitfalls) 11. [ Key Takeaways ](#key-takeaways) 12. [ Frequently Asked Questions ](#blog-faqs) 13. [ References ](#references-heading) Most candidates who struggle with the MRCPI General Medicine Part II Clinical do not lack medical knowledge. They prepare as if this were another written paper, then lose marks because their history is unfocused, their examination is not hypothesis-driven, or their management discussion sounds vague. RCPI describes a clinical exam built around two long cases and five short cases, so your preparation has to train timed performance, not passive revision. [\[1\]](#cite-1 "Reference [1]") This exam rewards clear structure. Examiners are looking for communication, focused examination, interpretation of signs, differential diagnosis, judgment, and patient safety under pressure. [\[1\]](#cite-1 "Reference [1]") Start With the Marking Sheet ---------------------------- RCPI marks seven domains: clinical communication skills, managing relationships with patients, physical examination, identifying physical signs, differential diagnosis, clinical judgment, and maintaining patient safety and quality of care. To pass, you must pass at least one long case, at least three short cases, each skill domain, and the overall pass mark. [\[1\]](#cite-1 "Reference [1]") For every practice case, force yourself to show these five things: - the active problem list - the leading diagnosis and sensible alternatives - the positive and negative signs that support your thinking - the next investigations, in order - the immediate safety issues and aftercare plan Build a Repeatable Long-Case Script ----------------------------------- Each long case lasts 25 minutes: 20 minutes observed history and focused examination, followed by 5 minutes discussing investigations, management, and aftercare. If you do not have a fixed routine, you will waste time gathering low-value details. [\[1\]](#cite-1 "Reference [1]") ### A simple long-case workflow 1. **Minutes 0-2:** introduce yourself, confirm the problem, set the agenda. 2. **Minutes 2-10:** take a problem-focused history; do not do a full clerking. 3. **Minutes 10-18:** perform a directed examination aimed at your top diagnoses. 4. **Minutes 18-20:** summarise the active problems aloud. 5. **Final 5 minutes:** give differentials, key investigations, first management steps, and follow-up. [\[1\]](#cite-1 "Reference [1]") > **Pro Tip:** Ask a senior or study partner to stop you exactly at 20 minutes. If your summary is not ready by then, your long-case structure still needs work. Run three long-case practices each week if you are in the final month. After each case, write down one thing you missed in history, one thing you missed on examination, and one management point you should have prioritised earlier. Make Short Cases a Six-Minute Drill ----------------------------------- RCPI's short circuit is typically four clinical stations and one communication or ethics station. Clinical short cases last 10 minutes, with 6 minutes to examine and elicit signs, then 4 minutes to present findings and management; the systems sampled include cardiology, respiratory, abdominal, endocrine or dermatology, neurology, and rheumatology or locomotor themes. [\[1\]](#cite-1 "Reference [1]") ### Use one verbal template every time - state your likely diagnosis early - list the key positive signs - add the important negative signs - comment on severity or functional impact - give one or two next investigations - finish with immediate management Short cases improve fastest when you build a bedside sign library. Twice a week, examine real patients with murmurs, effusions, neuropathies, movement disorders, thyroid disease, liver disease, and inflammatory joint findings, then present from memory without notes. Treat Communication and Ethics as Scored Medicine ------------------------------------------------- The communication station is not a break from clinical medicine. RCPI describes a 10-minute interaction with written instructions and a simulated patient, covering information giving, breaking bad news, consent, confidentiality, challenging conversations, and professional ethics. [\[1\]](#cite-1 "Reference [1]") ### A safe structure for these stations 1. Clarify the setting and what the patient already knows. 2. Ask about concerns, expectations, and who should be involved. 3. Give information in short chunks and check understanding. 4. Address autonomy, capacity, confidentiality, or escalation when relevant. 5. Close with a clear plan, safety-net, and documentation. RCPI specifically points candidates toward ethics and professionalism guidance, including the Irish Medical Council guide and GMC *Good medical practice*. Read those documents, then role-play common scenarios out loud with a colleague. [\[1\]](#cite-1 "Reference [1]") Study Schedule Template ----------------------- If you are 6 weeks out, use a station-based plan rather than a specialty-based reading plan. WeeksMain focusMinimum weekly output1-2Build templates for long, short, and communication stations2 long cases, 4 short cases, 1 communication station3-4Increase bedside volume and timed presentations3 long cases, 6 short cases, 2 communication stations5Full mock circuits1 full 7-station circuit plus targeted remediation6Polish weak domains and logistics2 timed mocks, final feedback, travel/admin checks Resources That Give the Best Return ----------------------------------- - **Real patients with senior feedback:** best for long-case prioritisation. - **A concise bedside examination text:** use it to tighten technique, not to memorise paragraphs. - **Local guidelines:** useful for safe, first-line investigation and management language. - **A study group of 2-3:** ideal for timed presentations and role-play. - **An official or college-style skills course:** most useful late, when you need calibration. [\[2\]](#cite-2 "Reference [2]") Common Pitfalls --------------- - doing a full clerking instead of a focused long case - describing signs without interpreting them - giving a huge investigation list instead of the next sensible steps - forgetting escalation, discharge, or safety planning - assuming one strong station can compensate for a weak skill domain; RCPI's pass rules do not work that way [\[1\]](#cite-1 "Reference [1]") Key Takeaways ------------- - Write one long-case and one short-case speaking template today. - Schedule two bedside sessions this week with feedback. - Practise one 10-minute communication station out loud. - Track mistakes by domain: communication, examination, diagnosis, judgment, safety. - Use a timer for every mock from now on. If you prepare by station, speak in problems rather than paragraphs, and make every practice case timed, this exam becomes far more predictable. The candidates who improve fastest are the ones rehearsing exactly what RCPI is scoring. Frequently Asked Questions ---------------------------- ### How is Part II Clinical different from Part II Written? Part II Clinical tests live performance: history-taking, focused examination, interpretation of signs, investigation planning, management discussion, and communication across two long cases and five short cases. [\[1\]](#cite-1 "Reference [1]") ### Should I spend more time on long cases or short cases? Early on, bias your time slightly toward long cases because they force structure and prioritisation. In the final weeks, balance both and include at least one communication station every week. ### What should I study for the communication and ethics station? Start with the Irish Medical Council ethics guidance and GMC *Good medical practice*, because RCPI recommends these resources for preparation. Then rehearse consent, confidentiality, bad news, and colleague-safety scenarios aloud. [\[1\]](#cite-1 "Reference [1]") ### Can I still pass if one station feels poor? Possibly, but do not rely on recovery by impression alone. RCPI also requires passes in at least one long case, three short cases, each skill domain, and the overall mark. [\[1\]](#cite-1 "Reference [1]") References (2) ------------------ 1. 1. [ www.rcpi.ie/Portals/0/Document%20Repository/Exams/Regulations/MRCPI%20General%20Medicine%20Regulations%20October%202025.pdf?ver=tWmaGzQLpUxQi9ibmNHFZQ%3D%3D ](https://www.rcpi.ie/Portals/0/Document%20Repository/Exams/Regulations/MRCPI%20General%20Medicine%20Regulations%20October%202025.pdf?ver=tWmaGzQLpUxQi9ibmNHFZQ%3D%3D) [↩](#cite-ref-1-1 "Back to text") 2. 2. [ courses.rcpi.ie/product?catalog=General-Medicine-Skills-Course ](https://courses.rcpi.ie/product?catalog=General-Medicine-Skills-Course) [↩](#cite-ref-2-1 "Back to text") Study pathway Turn reading into Internal Medicine performance ------------------------------------------------- - System‑based, exam‑style questions + explanations - Smarter review to reinforce weak topics - Build confidence with measurable progress Free 5-day trial No credit card required. [ Start practicing ](https://mdster.com/user/dashboard) [ Explore Internal Medicine ](https://mdster.com/speciality/internal-medicine) [ View pricing ](https://mdster.com/pricing) [ Explore features ](https://mdster.com/features) No credit card required. Full access to all features\*. No commitment. Cancel anytime. \*AI SOE Examiner is limited to 10 cases monthly for Advanced & Bundle subscribers. 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