Modified Essay Questions (MEQ) Examination
This page contains information about about the Modified Essay Questions Examination (MEQ exam).
About the exam
This exam assesses capacity for critical thinking about clinical practice and the application of clinical knowledge.
It is set at the standard expected at the end of Stage 3.
This exam is a summative assessment and is a requirement of the RANZCP Fellowship Program.
Structure and format
The MEQ exam is a paper-based, hand-written exam completed at a testing centre.
The exam asks you to respond to 4–6 modified essay questions, worth up to 38 marks each (total 125 marks).
You are allowed 150 minutes to complete the exam, including reading time.
Eligibility
You are eligible to apply for the MEQ exam after you have completed 18 months FTE training.
The RANZCP recommends that you take the exam in Stage 3, as it is set at the standard expected at the end of Stage 3.
You should have successfully completed the exam by 60 months FTE training.
Exam Dates
Tuesday 16 August 2022
For more details, please refer to the exam timetable.
How to apply
Applications for the August MEQ are now open, and close on 17 June 2022 at 5 pm AEDT.
No late applications will be accepted.
►Apply via InTrain
For exam day
Contingency plans for 22 February 2022 exam
A contingency examination will be available to all candidates registered to sit either of these examinations should there be disruption or cancellation of the examination at any venue across any of the jurisdictions.
Every candidate impacted will have the opportunity to take the contingency examination, with the reserve paper. This includes any candidates who have been unable to sit the CEQ and MEQ examinations due to COVID or isolation. Should a reserve examination be activated, this will be available on Tuesday 5 April 2022.
Note: The use of the Reserve paper for the examinations will be made if an examination site is cancelled and candidates cannot sit on the day. At that point, individual candidates who were prevented from sitting the original exam due to COVID illness or quarantine restrictions, will be offered to access the reserve paper.
If no reserve paper is offered, candidates will be able to access the next routinely scheduled MEQ and
CEQ examination scheduled for 16 August 2022.
If you are unwell or isolating due to a positive COVID-19 test or as a close contact and are unable to attend the exam, you will be provided with a full refund of your exam fee upon application.
If you are unable to attend due to other circumstances, you can apply for a full refund. The next scheduled exam will be held on Tuesday 16 August 2022.
If density changes are introduced, Cliftons venues are able to expand their space capacity and offer additional rooms, as well as introduce measures such as staggered registration times.
Candidates sitting both CEQ and MEQ examinations at a Cliftons venue will not be able to remain at the venue between exams.
Cliftons venues are taking precautions including improved ventilation, use of P2 masks for staff, physical distancing, and enforcing local COVID-safe rules such as mask wearing, vaccination requirements and QR check-in.
►Be Safe Face To Face: Our response to COVID-19 - Cliftons Venues
At this stage Cliftons sites are not enforcing the use of Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) prior to the exam, although this may change. It is recommended by Australian state/territory Departments of Health and NZ Ministry of Health as an additional layer of protection.
Support
The College is mindful of the stress associated with examinations and the welfare of trainees and SIMGs. The RANZCP website has information about a variety of supports that may be accessed.
These include discussing issues with your DOT, principal supervisor and the confidential welfare support line on 1800 941 002 (AUS) or 0800 220 728 (NZ).
Proof of identity
On the day of the examination, you must provide a government issued photographic proof of identity (ID) at registration before you will be allowed to sit the exam. The ID must be either a valid passport or drivers licence (must be original and unexpired – not a photocopy or digital ID).
Incident reports
If an incident occurs during your examination that could affect your performance or the outcome of the examination, please complete an Incident Report form within 5 working days of taking the exam.
►Incident report form – February 2022
A response to your incident report will be included in your result letter.
Results
Results are released on the dates specified in the examination timetable.
When released, results are published on the Results, timetables, fees page.
Individual result letters are made available via MyRANZCP.
Preparing for the exam
Past Modified Essay Questions
►Past Modified Essay Questions
Background, advice and tips for the MEQ
Purpose of the MEQ, how questions are prepared and tips for the MEQ – Congress Workshop 2018, Dr Jill Reddan [PDF; 56 KB]
Podcast
►Preparing for the Modified Essay Questions (MEQ) Examination
Resources
►A behind-the-scenes look at the Writtens Examinations [PDF, 635 KB]
Marking guide
The documents below are used by examiners to mark the Modified Essay Questions. They are not used as checklists for candidate responses, but as a useful guide for examiners to follow. There may be times when other correct answers may emerge during the marking process.
►MEQ Instructions to Examiners [PDF; 27 KB]
Policies
For detailed policies, please refer to Essay examinations under Examinations of the 2012 Fellowship Program regulations, policies and procedures.
Contact
meq@ranzcp.org