RACP Divisional Clinical guide
Short Cases test focused examination, sign recognition and concise presentation. Long Cases test whether complex information can be synthesised, prioritised and converted into a realistic management plan.
Train the components separately: repeat systematic bedside examinations for Short Cases, and practise problem definition, synthesis, prioritisation and defence for Long Cases.
Viewing RACP DCE Short & Long Cases
At a glance
Focused examination with rapid presentation and questioning
Comprehensive assessment, synthesis and management discussion
Current RACP guidance describes paired assessment
What each component is really assessing
The DCE combines technical bedside skill with deep clinical synthesis. Improving one does not automatically repair the other.
Use a fluent, systematic technique that exposes accurate positive and negative findings.
Describe findings precisely, identify the pattern and respond directly to focused examiner questions.
Turn a large history and examination into a concise problem representation and prioritised problem list.
Build practical plans that integrate disease, complications, function, psychosocial context and prognosis.
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| Feature | Short Case | Long Case |
|---|---|---|
| Primary task | Focused bedside examination | Comprehensive assessment and synthesis |
| Reasoning | Rapid pattern recognition | Deep prioritisation across complex disease |
| Communication | Concise findings and diagnosis | Structured problem list and management discussion |
| Common risk | Missing signs or poor technique | Unstructured detail without synthesis |
How to prepare effectively
Use deliberate repetition for examination sequences and structured discussion for complex cases, then connect both through feedback.
Practise each system until technique, exposure, positioning and sign detection remain reliable under observation.
Lead with the key positives and relevant negatives, then state the clinical pattern and likely diagnosis.
Open with a synthesis that explains who the patient is, what the major problems are and why they matter.
Practise examiner follow-up on investigations, management, complications, function, prognosis and patient context.
Common mistakes
The strongest candidates make accurate findings and complex reasoning easy for the examiner to follow.
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| Mistake | Why it costs marks | What to do instead |
|---|---|---|
| Changing examination sequence under pressure | Inconsistent technique leads to missed signs and visible uncertainty. | Use repeated system-specific routines with observed feedback. |
| Listing every finding | Unprioritised detail obscures the pattern and diagnosis. | Present key positives, relevant negatives and the synthesis. |
| Retelling the Long Case history | Chronology alone does not show problem definition or prioritisation. | Lead with a concise representation and structured problem list. |
| Giving an idealised plan | Management must fit comorbidity, function, adherence, support and prognosis. | Make plans realistic, sequenced and patient-specific. |
Agentic study support
The PassGP AI Virtual Tutor can question your differential, test the completeness of a problem list and simulate follow-up discussion, while physical examination remains a live practice skill.
Use AI safely: use fictional or de-identified exam material only; never enter identifiable patient data; verify outputs against current official guidance.
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Quick answers
Use these summaries as orientation, then check current official guidance before enrolment or exam day.
Current RACP guidance describes two Long Cases and four Short Cases, each assessed by two experienced examiners.
The Short Case focuses on examination technique, clinical signs and concise presentation. The Long Case focuses on comprehensive assessment, synthesis, prioritisation and management of complexity.
In a Short Case, make key positive findings and relevant negatives clear, identify the clinical pattern and answer focused questions directly. In a Long Case, avoid simply retelling the history: lead with a concise problem representation and prioritised problem list, then explain a practical plan that takes account of comorbidity, function, support and prognosis.
Use repeated observed bedside practice for Short Cases and structured case presentation with examiner questioning for Long Cases. Track weaknesses separately.
For Short Cases, repeat system-specific routines until exposure, positioning, technique and sign detection remain reliable under observation; then practise presenting the key findings without an unprioritised list. For Long Cases, rehearse a concise opening synthesis and defend your priorities aloud through questions on investigations, management, complications, function and prognosis. Use feedback to identify which component needs more work rather than assuming improvement in one will repair the other.
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Turn the guide into practice
Explore the PassGP pathway for RACP DCE, or return to the complete Exam Essential Information directory.
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