Specialty Certificate Examination in Neurology — Information & Free Practice

About Specialty Certificate Examination in Neurology

Specialty Certificate Examination in Neurology · GB

Key exam facts

Provider

Developed by the Federation of Royal Colleges of Physicians in conjunction with the Association of British Neurologists; MRCP(UK) administers the examination and Surpass delivers computer-based testing at test centres.

Format

In-centre computer-based knowledge examination: two papers of best-of-five multiple-choice questions (one correct response and four alternatives).

Exam questions

Total questions: 200.

Time limit

Three hours of answering time per paper, six hours across both papers; approved reasonable adjustments may provide extra time. This excludes arrival and any interval between papers.

Passing score

Criterion-referenced specialty standard determined by statistical test equating; the raw percentage required can vary between sittings. The latest linked Neurology metrics report records a 2025 equated pass mark of 416, equivalent in that sitting to 111/200 (55.5%); this historical raw threshold is not a fixed requirement for the 2026 sitting.

Exam fee

GBP £700 at UK centres; GBP £875 at international centres, per SCE examination application. A transfer from a UK to an international location incurs the £175 difference; the separate €800 ESEGH/ESENeph member-country fee does not apply to Neurology.

Topics covered

• Special Groups (6.5%)

  • Pregnancy
  • Intellectual (Learning) Disability
  • Terminally ill
  • Teenagers
  • Paediatrics
  • Elderly

• Specific Presentations (13%)

  • Disorders of Sleep
  • Neurological Complications of Cancer
  • Disorders of CSF
  • Disorders of Cranial Nerves
  • Disorders of Spinal Cord and Roots
  • Disorders of the Autonomic Nervous System
  • Neuro-otology

• Diagnostics, Applied and Basic Science (7%)

  • Neuroradiology
  • Neurophysiology
  • Neuropathology
  • Neurogenetics
  • Clinical Pharmacology

• CiP1: Cognition and Consciousness (10%)

• CiP2: Headache and Pain (7.5%)

• CiP3: Seizures and Epilepsy (10%)

• CiP4: Inflammatory and infectious disorders (12%)

• CiP5: Movement disorders (10%)

• CiP6: Neuro-muscular disorders (7.5%)

• CiP7: Traumatic Brain injury and rehabilitation (4.5%)

• CiP8: Neuropsychiatric and Functional Disorders (4.5%)

• Acute stroke and TIA, primary and secondary prevention (7.5%)

How to prepare

Work through the topics, read the explanation after each answer, and revisit the areas where you miss questions. Use the official outline and reference materials below to guide your study.

These independent practice questions are not actual exam items and do not guarantee a passing result.

Frequently asked questions

Official sources and references

• SCE in Neurology Blueprint

  p. 1, scope statement

• SCE in Neurology Blueprint

  p. 1, complete content table and footnote

• Federation – Neurology SCE

  Curriculum and blueprint

• Federation – SCE Specialties

  Note to international candidates

• SCE and ESE Regulations

  p. 3, §2.1 Format

• SCE and ESE Regulations

  pp. 3–4, §2.2 Marking system

• Federation – SCE Format

  Format

• Federation – Pass marks explained

  Specialty Certificate Examinations

• Neurology 2025 Selected Examination Metrics

  p. 1, Pass Mark

• Federation – SCE dates and fees

  Examination fees

Confirm current exam arrangements with the exam provider.