How the maths works
- A training year is 12 months whole-time equivalent. At 60% it lasts 20 calendar months; at 80%, 15 months; at 50%, 24 months.
- Per-year totals (36 CCRs, 4 COTs and so on) apply to that longer year.
- Each 6-month review needs a pro rata share: required = per-year total x (6 / 12) x your fraction. Round up to be safe and agree the target with your ES.
| At 60%, per 6-month review | Full time per year | LTFT share |
|---|---|---|
| CCRs | 36 | about 11 |
| COT or mini-CEX (ST1/ST2) | 4 | about 1 to 2 |
| CATs (ST1/ST2) | 4 | about 1 to 2 |
| COT (ST3) | 7 | about 3 |
| CATs (ST3) | 5 | about 2 |
check current RCGP guidance Deaneries differ in how they pro rata MSF and how they round. Every tool on this site uses the same rule (rounded up) once you set your percentage in My training.
The numbers by year
| Requirement | ST1 | ST2 | ST3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical case reviews (CCRs) | 36 per year 18 per review | 36 per year 18 per review | 36 per year 18 per review |
| Consultation Observation Tool (COT), including Audio-COT check current RCGP guidance | 4 per year 2 per review COT in GP posts, mini-CEX in hospital posts; combined total 4 | 4 per year 2 per review combined COT/mini-CEX total 4 | 7 per year all COT; e.g. 6 face-to-face + 1 Audio-COT |
| Care Assessment Tool (CAT), including Case-based Discussion (CbD) check current RCGP guidance | 4 per year 2 per review | 4 per year 2 per review | 5 per year |
| Educational Supervisor's Review (ESR) check current RCGP guidance | 2 per year | 2 per year | 2 per year |
| CPR and AED competence | 1 per year | 1 per year | 1 per year |
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
- Clinical case reviews (CCRs), LTFT: Pro rata: e.g. 60% = 36 per training year spread over 20 months, about 11 per 6-month review.
- Consultation Observation Tool (COT), including Audio-COT, LTFT: Pro rata per review period; the per-training-year total is the same.
- Consultation Observation Tool (COT), including Audio-COT, confidence: high (totals and audio rule); medium (per-review split of 2, which is a suggested spread). Our sources were partly secondary for this item: check current RCGP guidance.
- Care Assessment Tool (CAT), including Case-based Discussion (CbD), LTFT: Pro rata per review period.
- Care Assessment Tool (CAT), including Case-based Discussion (CbD), confidence: high (totals); medium (2 per review in ST1/ST2). Our sources were partly secondary for this item: check current RCGP guidance.
- 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.
- CPR and AED competence, LTFT: Not pro rata: every 12 calendar months.
What is not pro rata
- ESR every 6 calendar months.
- CPR/AED every 12 calendar months.
- Safeguarding update every 12 calendar months; a new Level 3 course after 36 months.
- Every capability in every 6-month review period.
Once per training year, or once in training
- MSF, QIA and LEA: once per (longer) training year.
- QIP, leadership activity, leadership MSF, PSQ, prescribing assessment and the 5 intimate CEPS: once in training (agree timing with your ES).
Practical tips
- Put your exact CCT date and the dates your training years end in your diary; they may not align with August.
- Get your targets in writing (educators' notes) at the start of each year.
- Annual and study leave are pro rata too.
- For IMGs on a visa: LTFT, time out and unpaid leave may affect sponsorship, so check with your employer's sponsorship team first.
Extensions and time out
Extra training time is given through an ARCP Outcome 3 (or 10.2 where still used) with a written plan. First GP extensions are commonly 6 months, and total additional time is normally limited (around 12 months) with exceptions at the postgraduate dean's discretion. Extensions are pro rata for LTFT trainees. Time out of training (for example sickness or parental leave of 14 days or more in a phase) triggers a review of your CCT date; whether time must be made up is decided by the panel.
Low confidence
Specific limits and exam-attempt rules could not be confirmed from current RCGP pages. Confirm with your TPD and your deanery's policy before relying on them.
Common ARCP pitfalls
- Assuming LTFT means fewer ESRs or longer certificate validity.
- Using full-time per-review targets and feeling permanently behind, or using the yearly total and ending up short.
- Not knowing when your training year actually ends.