This page is for informational purposes only. Always verify result details from the official RCPath website before acting on any information.
Result Day Countdown — Friday 20 November 2026
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Result Date ConfirmedAutumn 2026Current Format Continues in Spring 2027
FRCPath Part 1 Result — Autumn 2026
The FRCPath Part 1 Autumn 2026 result will be issued on Friday 20 November 2026, confirmed directly by the Royal College of Pathologists on their official Autumn 2026 examination dates page. This guide covers how the result is released, pass rate history, what candidates reported from the Autumn 2026 exam, and exactly what to do next — whether you passed or not.
The FRCPath Part 1 Autumn 2026 results will be issued on Friday 20 November 2026. This date is confirmed by the Royal College of Pathologists on their official Autumn 2026 examination dates page.
Part 2 results: published on the RCPath website by candidate number from midday on Saturday 21 November 2026 — the day after Part 1 results.
The Autumn 2026 Part 1 examinations took place during the week of 21–25 September 2026, with Part 1 examinations held in the first week of the wider examination period (which ran through to 30 October 2026 for other specialties and Part 2/Certificate/Diploma exams).
Key facts for results day
Result date: Friday 20 November 2026
How released: Part 1 results are emailed directly to candidates — they are NOT published on the RCPath website
Expected time: By midday UK time on results day, based on recent practice
Performance letters: Detailed performance feedback is typically sent in the week following the result email
Part 2 results (for those who also sat Part 2): published on the RCPath website by candidate number from midday on 21 November 2026
Source: RCPath Autumn 2026 Examination Dates page, and confirmed release practice from the Autumn 2025 and Spring 2026 sittings.
2. How FRCPath Part 1 Results Are Released
Based on RCPath's confirmed process from recent sittings.
1
Results are emailed — not posted on the website
On Friday 20 November 2026, Part 1 results will be emailed directly to each candidate. You do not need to check the RCPath website — the result comes to you.
2
Check your email from midday
Check your registered email — including spam and junk folders — from midday onwards on results day.
3
Wait for the detailed performance letter
In the following week, a detailed performance letter will be sent. This letter matters significantly whether you passed or not — it breaks down your performance by topic area, helping you identify strengths and weaknesses.
4
Deaneries are notified (UK trainees)
A list of results is also sent to the relevant deanery for UK-based trainees, so your educational supervisor and training programme director will be informed of the outcome.
Important: The result email is a pass/fail notification. The detailed performance letter that follows provides the granular breakdown. If you are planning a reattempt, wait for this letter before adjusting your study plan.
Part 2 results continue to follow a different route: they are published on the RCPath website by candidate number, expected from midday on 21 November 2026.
3. Pass Rate History
What the most recently published official data shows.
The most recently published official data comes from the RCPath Examination Performance Report for Spring 2026:
FRCPath Part 1 Histopathology pass rate: 75.60% (Spring 2026)
Overall FRCPath Part 1 pass rate (all specialties): 71.6%
Total Part 1 candidates in Spring 2026: 511 Source: RCPath Examination Performance Report, Spring 2026 (published June 2026).
What this means
Approximately 1 in 4 Histopathology candidates did not pass in the Spring 2026 sitting. The pass mark is set using criterion-referenced standard setting (the borderline group method) — there is no fixed percentage cutoff. It varies each sitting based on question difficulty.
Note: RCPath does not publish pass rates for individual specialties where fewer than 6 candidates sat, to protect candidate anonymity. We have not invented an Autumn 2026 pass rate — this section cites the most recently published data. The Autumn 2026 pass rate will be published in the next RCPath Performance Report, typically several months after results.
4. Autumn 2026 Exam — What Candidates Reported
Voluntary candidate feedback from our preparation groups, organised by topic.
The Autumn 2026 Part 1 Histopathology examination took place during the week of 21–25 September 2026. Based on candidate feedback shared in our preparation groups, the following topic areas featured prominently. Click a topic to expand it.
Medullary carcinoma (IHC: calcitonin), follicular carcinoma (RAS mutation), and papillary carcinoma prognosis (hobnail variant reported as the worst prognosis).
Autopsy and forensic pathology (heavily tested)
A significant number of questions, including AV/SA node dissection technique, decomposition assessment, and lightning injury (Lichtenberg figures).
Breast pathology
B-categorization (B5a = DCIS, B5b = invasive), and lobular carcinoma ER/PR/HER2 status with CDH1 mutation.
Renal pathology
IgA nephropathy (IgA + C3), amyloid (Congo red), and electron microscopy interpretation.
Lung pathology
Adenocarcinoma patterns (lepidic, acinar), and molecular markers for targeted therapy.
Prostate pathology
EMQ format questions with mimics and HGPIN.
Liver pathology
Non-neoplastic interpretation scenarios.
Lymph node pathology
Non-neoplastic conditions, including Castleman disease.
SCC staging
Perineural invasion criteria, and size and invasion depth.
Candidate feedback
"About 70% of this question paper was from this material. I would definitely recommend it to all those who are aspiring for FRCPath exam. Results apart, I learnt a whole lot of new things in this journey through this course, thus refining my daily reporting."
eLearningFRCPath candidate
September 24, 2026
Autumn 2026 candidate
"There were so many questions from the material. Thank you for taking out the time to answer all of our queries patiently sir. Grateful!!"
eLearningFRCPath candidate
September 22, 2026
"I attended the exam yesterday. I felt it was tough because of the number of autopsy questions."
eLearningFRCPath candidate
September 23, 2026
Disclaimer: This recall is compiled from voluntary candidate feedback shared in our preparation groups. It does not represent the complete examination content and should not be used as a predictor of pass/fail outcome. Topic emphasis varies between sittings.
5. Format Changes from Spring 2027
Confirmed directly from RCPath's examination news page.
RCPath has confirmed one format change starting Spring 2027, and it does not affect Histopathology Part 1. The change applies to FRCPath Part 2 Paediatric Pathology only, which is being split into two separate modules (Paediatric Surgical Pathology and Perinatal Pathology) from Spring 2027 onwards. Histopathology Part 1 continues in its current format — a three-hour exam with single best answer and extended matching questions. If you are reattempting Part 1 at Spring 2027, expect the same format as Autumn 2026.
If you passed
You sat and cleared the exam — there is no upcoming format change that affects you
Proceed to Part 2 preparation when ready
If you did not pass
Your next opportunity is Spring 2027
Histopathology Part 1 is unaffected by the Spring 2027 format change — your reattempt will look the same as Autumn 2026
Wait for your performance letter before adjusting your study plan
Monitor the RCPath Examination News page for Spring 2027 application dates
Source: RCPath Examinations Latest News and Calendar page, confirming the Spring 2027 format change applies to Part 2 Paediatric Pathology only.
6. What to Do After Results
A focused action plan, whether you passed or not.
If you passed
Congratulations. Here is your roadmap:
Download and save your result email and performance letter — you will need these for your training portfolio
Celebrate appropriately — this is a significant milestone
Consider your Part 2 timeline. RCPath recommends waiting at least 12 further months of histopathology training before attempting Part 2. Most candidates take Part 2 after an additional 2 years of diagnostic experience
Begin Part 2 orientation — the Part 2 exam is fundamentally different from Part 1. It tests practical diagnostic capability through short cases, long cases, OSPE, viva, cytopathology, and frozen sections. There are no MCQs
This is not the end. Approximately 1 in 4 Histopathology candidates do not pass on a given attempt (75.60% pass rate, Spring 2026).
Wait for your detailed performance letter — this is the most valuable document for planning your reattempt. It shows exactly which topic areas you underperformed in
Do not immediately restart studying the same way — your performance letter will tell you where to redirect effort
The Spring 2027 format change announced by RCPath applies only to Part 2 Paediatric Pathology — Histopathology Part 1 is unaffected, so plan your reattempt around the same format as Autumn 2026
Spring 2027 applications typically open in late November — watch the RCPath examination calendar
Use the gap constructively: strengthen your diagnostic reporting in your day job, attend departmental teaching, and rebuild weak areas identified in your performance letter
Result-day momentum matters: Whether you passed or are planning a reattempt, the week after results is the best time to decide your next exam plan while your preparation strengths and gaps are still clear.
7. Timeline — Key Dates
All dates sourced from the RCPath Autumn 2026 Examination Dates page.
Date
Event
Status
29 May 2026
Autumn 2026 applications opened
Completed
3 July 2026
Application deadline closed
Completed
17 July 2026
Withdrawal deadline (full refund)
Completed
31 July 2026
Examination entries confirmed
Completed
21–25 September 2026
Part 1 examinations held
Completed
29 Sept – 30 Oct 2026
Part 2 / Certificate / Diploma exams
In progress
20 November 2026
Part 1 results issued
Upcoming
21 November 2026
Part 2 results published on website
Upcoming
Late November 2026 (est.)
Spring 2027 applications expected to open
TBC by RCPath
Start Preparing for Spring 2027 Now
Designed by practising pathologists for candidates who want structured, exam-focused preparation.
Our FRCPath Part 1 course covers the organ-system pathology, IHC panels, molecular diagnostics, and WHO 6th Edition updates tested in the Autumn 2026 exam. 1200+ MCQs, mock tests, video lectures, and high-yield notes by MD FRCPath faculty.
FRCPath Part 1 Course
Comprehensive Histopathology preparation with WHO 6th Ed. aligned content.
1200+ Mock Test MCQs
Exam-pattern questions with detailed explanations for every answer.
High-Yield Notes
System-by-system notes covering all major curriculum areas.
The exact questions candidates are searching right now.
When will FRCPath Part 1 Autumn 2026 results be released?
Friday 20 November 2026. Confirmed by RCPath on the Autumn 2026 examination dates page.
How will I receive my result?
Part 1 results are emailed directly to candidates by midday on results day. They are not published on the RCPath website. Check your email including spam/junk folders.
Will Part 2 results be released on the same day?
Part 2 results will be released from midday on 21 November 2026 (the next day) and published on the RCPath website by candidate number.
What is the FRCPath Part 1 Histopathology pass rate?
The most recent published rate is 75.60% for Histopathology (Spring 2026). The overall Part 1 pass rate was 71.6% across all specialties, from 511 Part 1 candidates. Source: RCPath Examination Performance Report, Spring 2026.
Is there a fixed pass mark?
No. The pass mark is set using criterion-referenced standard setting (borderline group method). It varies each sitting based on question difficulty. There is no fixed percentage cutoff.
What if I fail — when can I resit?
The next sitting is Spring 2027, in the same format as Autumn 2026 — the Spring 2027 format change RCPath has confirmed applies only to Part 2 Paediatric Pathology, not Part 1 Histopathology. Applications typically open in late November. Monitor the RCPath examination calendar for confirmed dates.
Is Autumn 2026 the last sitting in the current Histopathology format?
No. RCPath has confirmed a format change starting Spring 2027, but it applies only to FRCPath Part 2 Paediatric Pathology (split into two modules). There is no announced change to Histopathology Part 1 — it continues in its current three-hour, single-best-answer/EMQ format.
Is there a format change for FRCPath Part 1 Histopathology in Spring 2027?
No. The only Spring 2027 format change RCPath has announced is to FRCPath Part 2 Paediatric Pathology. Histopathology Part 1 is unaffected and continues in its current format.
Will the performance letter tell me my score?
The performance letter provides a breakdown by topic area, showing areas of strength and weakness. It does not provide a numerical score or percentage — FRCPath Part 1 uses a pass/fail outcome.
I sat the exam and found it tough — does that mean I failed?
Not necessarily. Many candidates report feeling the exam was difficult, particularly when heavily weighted toward topics like autopsy and forensic pathology. The pass mark adjusts for overall question difficulty. Wait for your result rather than self-assessing.
9. Official Guidance & Disclaimer
This page is informational — always verify with official sources.
Important: This page summarises publicly available information from the Royal College of Pathologists (RCPath). eLearningFRCPath is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially associated with RCPath. The exam recall section is compiled from voluntary candidate feedback and does not represent official RCPath content. Always refer to the official RCPath website (www.rcpath.org) for confirmed result dates and examination information.