Paediatrics ST3 is not an evidence-upload specialty. Your score comes entirely from written Oriel answers capped at 50 words per box, marked against the RCPCH 2026-27 scoring framework by two assessors — 30 marks each, 60 in total. Nothing in the framework scores months of experience, exams, resuscitation courses or publication counts: the marks sit in clinical capabilities, quality improvement, leadership, research, teaching and two one-point qualification add-ons.
What the sections are
- Clinical capabilities — 8 marks. Full marks looks like: "Five clear and distinctly different examples relevant to working at ST3 level, including acute general paediatric assessment skills, neonatal resuscitation and safeguarding, with reflection."
- Quality improvement project or audit — 6 marks. Full marks looks like: "Led and presented a good quality audit or QIP at a regional, national or international meeting, with results and recommendations described and evidence of change."
- Leadership and management — 5 marks. Full marks looks like: "Lead role at any level, with demonstrated delivery or impact and well described evidence of personal and professional development."
- Research and academic achievements — 4 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 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."
- Educational qualification — 1 mark. Full marks looks like: "PG Cert, postgraduate diploma or MSc."
What costs people marks
- Nothing in the framework scores months of experience, exams, resuscitation courses or publication counts — time spent evidencing those is time not spent on what actually scores.
- Every answer is capped at 50 words per box, and the top capability bands need distinctly different examples including acute general paediatric assessment skills, neonatal resuscitation and safeguarding.
- The top QIP bands need you to have led the work, presented it at a regional level or above, and shown results, recommendations and evidence of change.
- 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 ST3 scoring guidance 2026.
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.