Paediatrics ST1 is not an evidence-upload specialty: nothing is attached to Oriel. Your score comes entirely from written answers capped at 50 words per box, marked against the RCPCH scoring framework by two assessors — 30 marks each, 60 in total. This follows the published 2026-27 framework. RCPCH advises answering the capabilities, achievements and QIP sections as a minimum to have a realistic chance of shortlisting.
What the sections are
- Transferable clinical capabilities — 8 marks. Full marks looks like: "Five clear and distinctly different examples relevant to a career in paediatrics with reflection."
- Personal achievements and reflection — 8 marks. Full marks looks like: "Five clear and distinctly different examples relevant to a career in paediatrics with reflection."
- Quality improvement project or audit — 5 marks. Full marks looks like: "Planned or coordinated and presented a good quality audit or QIP at a regional, national or international meeting, with results and recommendations described."
- Research and academic achievements — 3 marks. Full marks looks like: "Detailed description of involvement in research or academic work with at least one of: a national or international presentation, or publication as first or last author."
- Research qualification — 1 mark. Full marks looks like: "PG Cert, postgraduate diploma, MSc, MD as a university research award, or PhD."
- Teaching — 5 marks. Full marks looks like: "Clear evidence of designing, delivering and leading education or teaching, including evaluation from learners and use of their feedback for future sessions."
What costs people marks
- Every answer box is capped at 50 words, so each of your examples has to earn its place — the top bands need clear and distinctly different examples with reflection.
- RCPCH advises answering the capabilities, achievements and QIP sections as a minimum to have a realistic chance of shortlisting.
- Do not reuse the same examples across the capabilities and achievements sections, and at most two practical clinical procedures count as capabilities.
- In the research section it is not enough to simply state that you designed and led the work — a description that lacks detail scores zero.
Check the official document
This page is a plain-English summary of the framework as Docrr models it — it is not the framework itself. Before you rely on any number here, check the official source: RCPCH ST1 scoring guidance 2026-27.
Scoring frameworks change annually, sometimes substantially, and the version that matters is the one attached to the round you are applying in. Last checked against the source on 2026-08-17.