RCPA BPS Exam
RCPA Basic Pathological Sciences (BPS) Examination
More study resources
Cheat sheet
Keep the key ideas within reach.
ExploreKey terms
Get comfortable with the vocabulary.
ExploreStudy plan
Give each week a clear focus.
ExploreCommon mistakes
Understand the traps and how to avoid them.
ExploreCase studies
Put your knowledge to work in context.
ExploreExam-day guide
Prepare for the day ahead.
ExploreAbout this exam
The Basic Pathological Sciences (BPS) Examination is the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia's entry-level written assessment of the scientific foundations underpinning pathology training. It is aimed at trainees beginning laboratory-based training in anatomical pathology, haematology, chemical pathology, microbiology, immunology, or genetic pathology, and at others who need a documented grasp of core pathological science. It tests principles rather than diagnostic pattern recognition: how cells respond to injury, how inflammation and repair proceed, how neoplasia arises and spreads, how haemostasis and transfusion science work, how the immune system contributes to disease, how infections are caused and controlled, and the core concepts of metabolic, genetic, and organ-based disease mechanisms. Because it is a science examination, preparation is best built around a structured syllabus read-through paired with active recall. Work through a general pathology textbook alongside a concise review text, make one-page summaries of mechanisms, and practise single-best-answer questions under timed conditions so that you learn to discard plausible distractors. Confirm the current syllabus, format, and assessment arrangements directly with the RCPA, as these are set by the College and may change. This page is independent study material and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the RCPA.
What you'll study
About RCPA BPS Exam preparation
What is the BPS Examination actually for?
It establishes that you command the basic science behind pathology before you build diagnostic skills. It is a foundation gate, not a specialty exit examination, so the emphasis is on mechanisms, terminology, and principles rather than on recognising specific entities or writing reports.
What is the format of the exam?
It is a written, multiple-choice examination. The precise number of questions, the time allowed, and the delivery arrangements are set by the RCPA and can change between sittings, so check the College's own examination pages for the current specification rather than relying on second-hand accounts.
How hard is it, and what is the pass mark?
Most candidates find the science itself familiar but the breadth demanding, since questions span nine domains. The passing standard is determined by the College and is not fixed in public material, so consult the RCPA directly for the current standard and any published guidance on scoring.
Can I sit it more than once if I fail?
Retake rules, including any limits on the number of attempts and any conditions attached to re-sitting, are set by the RCPA. They are not uniform across training programmes, so confirm your position with the College before you plan a repeat attempt.
How much time should I allow for preparation?
Most trainees spread preparation over several months of part-time study rather than cramming. A practical pattern is one domain per fortnight with weekly question practice, leaving the final weeks for revision of weak areas and full timed papers.
In what order should I study the domains?
Start with cell and tissue biology, then general pathology, because inflammation, repair, and cell death underpin everything later. Neoplasia, immunology, and haemostasis follow naturally. Leave chemical pathology, genetics, and systematic pathology until the mechanistic vocabulary is secure.
What are the most common ways candidates lose marks?
Three recurrences: reading the stem too quickly and answering the question they expected rather than the one asked; confusing similar mechanisms, such as the different forms of cell death or the complement pathways; and neglecting the smaller domains because they assume the weighting favours the big ones.
Do I need to memorise laboratory reference values?
No. The examination tests understanding of mechanisms and principles, not recall of local reference intervals, which vary between laboratories and analysers. Focus on why a value changes and what process drives it rather than on the number itself.
Where do I confirm dates, fees, and eligibility?
Only with the RCPA. The College publishes current examination dates, application deadlines, fees, eligibility requirements, and result arrangements on its official website, and those pages take precedence over any summary, including this one.