College announces new Chief Examiner
The College is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Vivek Agarwal as our next Chief Examiner.
Vivek will take up office at the AGM in June. when Dr Ian Hall, who has been Chief Examiner since 2019, steps down from the position.
Vivek is a consultant in general adult psychiatry at the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust and is an experienced educator and examiner.
As an examiner, he has been involved in exam development across the MRCPsych exam since 2015, having sat on the Standard Setting Panel and chairing the QA Panel.
Vivek was appointed as Chair of the CASC Panel in 2021 and has led on examiner training, was a key member of the Assessment Strategy Review Group, as well as representing the College as an external examiner in Hong Kong and Sri Lanka.
Dr Agarwal said:
“I feel a mixture of excitement and some trepidation as I am preparing to take on the role of Chief Examiner. Being involved in exams has been highly rewarding and a valuable developmental experience.
“I plan to utilise my experience and skills to work on current priorities set out by the Dean as well as generate new ideas to ensure that MRCPsych exams continue to be highly respected, nationally and globally.”
RCPsych Dean, Professor Subodh Dave, said:
“The RCPsych Chief Examiner is responsible for all aspects of the exams including oversight of design, delivery and quality assurance of the MRCPsych. I am looking forward to working with Vivek in this important role to ensure our exams remain of the highest standard.”
Our current Chief Examiner, Dr Hall, said:
“I’m delighted to welcome Vivek’s appointment as Chief Examiner, he brings a wealth of experience in all aspects of the MRCPsych Examination, and as chair of CASC panel was integral to our delivery of the exam in the pandemic and the introduction of our new CASC syllabus.
“I know that he is highly committed to our work to make sure our exam is both as fair as possible and assesses doctors in the best way to help ensure they make great psychiatrists. I wish him every success in the role.”