{"id":1243,"date":"2026-05-03T17:16:15","date_gmt":"2026-05-03T16:16:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/microregistrar.com\/?p=1243"},"modified":"2026-08-08T14:32:40","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T13:32:40","slug":"which-examination-should-i-take-frcpath-part-1-or-cice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/microregistrar.com\/?p=1243","title":{"rendered":"Which examination should I take – FRCPath part 1 or CICE"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n
Back to Preparing for part 1 – read this<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

There are 2 different FRCPath Part 1 examinations, and candidates must ensure they apply for and sit the correct exam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/td>FRCPath Part 1 Infection OR
Combined Infection Certificate Examination (CICE)<\/strong><\/td>		Part 1 Medical Microbiology & Virology (MMV)<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>– FRCPath Part 1 Infection and CICE are two different names for the same exam
– However, you must select one of these names based on who you are<\/td>		<\/td><\/tr>
Exam<\/td>– Two papers of 100 MCQs each.
– Each paper will be a 3-hour examination<\/td>		– One 3-hour paper with 125 MCQs<\/td><\/tr>
Format<\/td>– Online exam<\/td>– Online exam<\/td><\/tr>
Who is it for?<\/td>Part 1 Infection exam<\/strong>:
for trainees in MM, MV, ID\/MM, ID\/MV,
MM\/TM, MV\/TM who are required to subsequently pass an FRCPath Part 2 examination in either medical microbiology or medical virology.

CICE:<\/strong>
for trainees in ID\/IM or TM\/IM who are not required to pass an FRCPath Part 2 examination.<\/td>		This exam (1 paper) is for scientific
microbiology and virology trainees
who are training in the UK in Higher Specialist Scientific Training (HSST) programmes or equivalent, including outside of the UK.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n

I am an overseas candidate – which exam should I take?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You can choose FRCPath part 1 infection<\/strong> or FRCPath part 1 in Microbiology<\/strong>, assuming you would like to do part 2 in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reference: https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1JhOtMvvXr7it1gTM5-sDTFHewLXnzq21\/view?usp=drive_link<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

We did a survey of past candidates from overseas on which exam they took: <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Don’t choose CICE if you wish to take FRCPath part 2 in the future<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Is it an offline\/in-person or online exam?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Both exams will be taken electronically using the Risr assessment platform in British Council test centres in
locations across the United Kingdom, Ireland, and internationally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

United Kingdom and Ireland<\/td>International<\/td><\/tr>
\uf0b7 London
\uf0b7 Manchester
\uf0b7 Edinburgh
\uf0b7 Bristol
\uf0b7 Dublin<\/td>		\uf0b7 New Delhi, India
\uf0b7 Karachi, Pakistan
\uf0b7 Amman, Jordan*
\uf0b7 Singapore, Singapore**
\uf0b7 Colombo, Sri Lanka* <\/strong>
\uf0b7 Yangon, Myanmar<\/strong>*<\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>Note:
*Amman, Jordan will be offered subject to venue availability on a rotating basis with
Kuwait and Qatar
**Singapore will be offered as a venue in the autumn sitting and rotate with Hong
Kong in the spring
***Centres will be offered on an annual basis in Sri Lanka and Myanmar.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Delivering examinations in British Council test centres provides a controlled testing environment with reliable internet connectivity, standardised equipment and on-site support. This helps reduce the risk of disruption and ensures a fair and consistent experience for all candidates<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You will be allocated to the examination centre closest to your registered address. If the is a reason why this is not suitable for you, you can request a change of centre using the link provided in your confirmation letter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Centres will only go ahead if there are sufficient candidates to make it viable. Where a centre needs to be cancelled due to insufficient numbers (<10), candidates will be given as much notice as possible and the option to change to a different centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FRCPath Part 1 Examination \u2013 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What do I need to bring with me to the examination centre?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you are completing the examination on paper, you will need to bring (as per RCPath):<\/p>\n\n\n\n