The DCH Clinical: the eight stations explained

The DCH Clinical is an online circuit of eight nine-minute stations with no real patient in any of them. Four use role-players: two on communication and two on history. The others cover data interpretation, a short clinical case, development and safe prescribing. Here is what each one tests, how it is marked and how to rehearse. Checked against rcpch.ac.uk on 16 October 2026.

The format at a glance

The RCPCH has run it online since October 2020. It is pitched at the clinical skills expected of a newly appointed GP who has completed a short period of training in paediatrics.

In 2027 it runs from 19 to 27 May and from 16 to 25 November. Applications for May run from 1 to 26 February. The DCH 2027 dates post has the rest.

What each station tests

Communication (two stations). The role-player most often plays a parent, a health professional or an adolescent. The RCPCH lists six patterns: information giving, consent, a critical incident, ethics, education and explaining a common medical device. The test is giving correct information effectively in an emotional setting, not how much you can say in nine minutes.

History (two stations). You have six minutes with a role-player to take a focused history, framed around chronic disease management. At the six-minute warning the history ends and you give the examiner your summary and management plan.

Data interpretation. You interpret clinical data and discuss it with the examiner. Examples include blood tests, urinalysis, audiograms, growth charts, diabetic diaries, peak flow charts and laboratory reports. Do not spend too long reading them.

Short clinical. There is no patient. You talk the examiner through how you would examine the child in the scenario, getting clinical information as you go. Aim to finish your approach within six minutes; the last three are for findings and interpretation.

Development. This is also scenario-led, with no patient. The child has a developmental age under four. Expect a developmental assessment, perhaps with a brief assessment of neurodisability or a parent-held record or growth chart. Know the principles of vision and hearing assessment. Psychometric testing is not expected.

Safe prescribing. You correct the errors in a prescription using a BNFC extract, with particular attention to the dose for the child’s age and weight. The corrections should be done by the six-minute warning; the rest is discussion. A phone or tablet is allowed here only to read the BNFC.

How it is marked

Each station is marked in two parts, A and B, giving 16 judgements. Each is graded clear pass (12), pass (10), bare fail (8), clear fail (4) or unacceptable (0). The maximum is 192 and you fail below 160. The senior examiners can raise that mark after each exam period.

So 160 is an average of a pass on every judgement. A bare fail costs two marks; one clear pass wins them back. A clear fail costs six, which takes three clear passes to recover. Unacceptable is for unprofessional or dangerous behaviour, or extremely poor performance. No single encounter fails you on its own unless the behaviour is seriously unprofessional.

The online set-up

You need a laptop or PC running Windows or Mac, not a tablet or phone. The platform runs only in Google Chrome. You need a working webcam and microphone and at least 1.5 Mbps upload and download. If you use headphones, use the over-the-head kind. Do the checks before you apply: the RCPCH will not refund candidates who skipped them.

Log in an hour before your session. If you log in after your circuit has begun, you cannot sit. You need a private space. The invigilator may ask you to sweep the room with your device. Have your admission document and a signed photo ID ready for the first station.

How to prepare

Rehearse out loud. Every station is spoken. The RCPCH says talking through an examination needs practice with a colleague. Do it over a video call, as in the exam.

Time it. Four minutes to read, nine for the station, a warning at six. In history stations, practise stopping at six minutes and turning to the examiner with a summary and a plan.

Use a structure. In communication stations, find out what the parent knows and what worries them before you explain. In history stations, list the areas to cover in the break before you go in. Always ask about past medical and drug history. Read the BNFC’s general guidance beforehand. For the clinical and development stations, the RCPCH’s technique guide says examiners want “a systematic, fluid approach”. The college’s anchor statements, linked from the DCH Clinical candidate guide, set out each grade for every station.

How this fits the platform

The DCH hub covers both parts: the question bank of 661 best-of-five questions across all 26 syllabus areas, a timed 100-question mock in two hours, the twelve-chapter revision guide (its last chapter is on the DCH Clinical) and the Core Tools. We do not run courses or offer clinical training, so pair the guide with a colleague and a timer. Access is £49.99 for 12 months as a one-off payment. You can try ten questions free first.

Quick answers

Core Revision is independent and not affiliated with the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.