MRCPCH Exam Interval Timers
Standardized clinical mock timers configured strictly according to official Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) examination regulations: official 4-minute reading and preparation intervals outside each station, structured in-station clinical stages, and precise warning bells across all 10 circuit stations.
Select Your Station Timer
Click any station to launch its dedicated, full-screen timer. Toggle the official 4-minute reading period on/off to rehearse full station rotations.
Short Clinical Station
Official Royal College timing template for the 4 Short Clinical Stations (Cardio, Resp, Abdo, Neuro, MSK). 4 minutes time-bound reading & hand hygiene outside, followed by 6 minutes focused patient examination and 3 minutes examiner discussion.
Communication Station
Official Royal College timing template for the 2 Communication Stations. 4 minutes time-bound scenario review outside, 7 minutes focused consultation with role-player, and official 2-minute warning knock/bell to agree next steps and close.
History Taking Station
Official Royal College timing template for the 22-minute History Taking & Management Station. 4 minutes time-bound reading outside, 13 minutes consultation with parent (warning at 9m / 4m remaining), and 9 minutes examiner management viva (warnings at 19m / 3m remaining and 21m / 1m remaining).
Development Station
Official Royal College timing template for the 22-minute Child Development Station. 4 minutes time-bound reading outside, 13 minutes developmental history & assessment (warning at 9m / 4m remaining), and 9 minutes examiner viva (warnings at 19m / 3m remaining and 21m / 1m remaining).
Video Station
Official Royal College timing sequence for the 2 Video Stations. 4 minutes time-bound reading outside, 3 minutes video clip observation on laptop, and 6 minutes structured discussion & management viva with examiner (warning at 6m / 3m remaining).
Official RCPCH Examination Timing Rules
In Royal College clinical examinations, running out of time is the most frequent preventable reason candidates fail high-scoring stations. Here is how the circuit is strictly regulated:
4-Min Circuit Reading Time
Between every station, candidates have an official 4-minute window outside the cubicle. In Communication and History, read the vignette and plan your opening; in Development, note child age and corrected gestation; in Clinical, check the system to examine and wash hands (bare below elbows).
Official Warning Cutoffs
In History (22m) and Development (22m), the warning knock rings at 9 minutes (4m left to gather info) before the 9m examiner viva. In Short Clinical (9m), the announcement arrives at 6 minutes (3m left for discussion). In Communication (9m), warning rings at 7 minutes (2m left to close).
Locking Stationary Times
Examiners are strictly bound by College regulations: if you finish history taking or examination early, examiners will not start the viva early. You must wait until the official phase transition bell rings before proceeding.
Never Re-Watch in Video
In the Video station (9m), you have 3 minutes to view the 60–90 second clip. Once 3 minutes elapse, turn away from the laptop. Looking back wastes valuable time when examiners assess clinical observations and emergency management.
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