What the panel checks
- Your ESR and CSRs: do your supervisors judge you are progressing?
- WPBA numbers for the period (pro rata if LTFT), and whether they are spread out.
- The learning log: about 36 case reviews a year, all 13 capabilities in each 6-month period, a spread of clinical experience groups.
- Mandatory items: CPR/AED, safeguarding, LEA, QIP or QIA, and in ST3 the leadership activity, leadership MSF, PSQ and prescribing assessment.
- PDP: objectives completed and new ones set.
- Feedback and your reflection on it.
- Exams; at the final ARCP, passes in AKT and SCA.
- Form R (England), any declared events or complaints, time out of training and LTFT percentage.
The numbers by year
| Requirement | ST1 | ST2 | ST3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Review of Competence Progression (ARCP) | 1 per year | 1 per year | 1 (final) |
| Educational Supervisor's Review (ESR) check current RCGP guidance | 2 per year | 2 per year | 2 per year |
| Form R (England) / equivalent self-declaration | before each ARCP | before each ARCP | before each ARCP |
| MRCGP examinations (AKT, SCA) | none required | AKT often attempted | both passed by final ARCP |
Full time, per training year unless stated. Less than full time: per-year totals stay the same and each 6-month review needs a pro rata share; 6-monthly ESRs and 12-monthly certificates are not pro rata. Check with your deanery and educational supervisor.
Notes on these numbers
- Annual Review of Competence Progression (ARCP), LTFT: At least annually.
- Educational Supervisor's Review (ESR), LTFT: Not pro rata: every 6 calendar months regardless of LTFT percentage.
- Educational Supervisor's Review (ESR), confidence: high (6-monthly, LTFT not pro rata); medium (iESR rules and 2-month window, deanery-dependent). Our sources were partly secondary for this item: check current RCGP guidance.
- Form R (England) / equivalent self-declaration, LTFT: Same.
- MRCGP examinations (AKT, SCA), LTFT: n/a
The outcomes
| Outcome | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1 | Satisfactory progress |
| 2 | Specific capabilities need development; no extra time |
| 3 | Inadequate progress; extra training time needed |
| 4 | Released from the training programme |
| 5 | Incomplete evidence; no decision yet |
| 6 | All capabilities achieved: training complete (final) |
| 7, 8, 9 | Fixed-term posts, out of programme, top-up training |
| 10.1, 10.2 | No-fault outcomes introduced for COVID-19 disruption: ask whether your deanery still uses them |
You can ask for a review of an Outcome 2 and appeal an Outcome 3 or 4. Deadlines are short: act on the letter straight away and get advice from your TPD (and the BMA if you are a member). Definitions follow the Gold Guide; check the current edition.
Free and private: everything stays in this browser. Do not enter patient-identifiable information.
How to avoid a non-standard outcome
Outcome 5 (incomplete evidence)
- ESR within 2 months before the panel.
- CSR for every post.
- Form R submitted on time and complete.
- Certificates in date and uploaded.
- All mandatory items present.
- Know your deanery's portfolio cut-off date, which may be weeks before the panel.
Outcome 2 or 3
- Spread assessments; get feedback early enough to act on it.
- Tell your ES early if you are struggling, unwell or behind. A dated plan made in time is the best protection.
- Close capability and group gaps through targeted logs and CATs.
- Have an exam plan agreed with your ES.
- Act on every ESR and ARCP recommendation and show it in the PDP.
If it happens
- Outcome 5: supply the missing evidence by the deadline.
- Outcome 2 or 3: meet your ES and TPD; agree a written plan with specific, dated targets and support; review monthly.
- A developmental outcome is common and recoverable.
Common ARCP pitfalls
- ESR booked too early relative to the panel.
- Missing the deanery cut-off, not the panel date.
- An SEA in the portfolio but not on Form R.
- Struggling silently until the review.