100+ Free SCE Endocrinology and Diabetes Practice Questions
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A patient has confirmed ACTH-dependent Cushing syndrome. Pituitary MRI shows a 3 mm equivocal lesion. What test best distinguishes pituitary from ectopic ACTH when imaging is uncertain?
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Key Facts: SCE Endocrinology and Diabetes Exam
11 Nov 2026
2026 Endocrinology and Diabetes SCE date
Federation exam dates and fees page
22 Jul-19 Aug 2026
2026 application period
Federation Endocrinology and Diabetes page
200 questions
Official SCE exam length
SCE/ESE Regulations April 2026
2 x 3 hours
Paper timing
SCE/ESE Regulations April 2026
GBP 700
UK examination fee
Federation exam dates and fees page
462
Published pass score until next standards review
2025 SCE Endocrinology selected metrics report
58.6%
2025 UK resident doctors pass rate
2025 SCE Endocrinology selected metrics report
100
Free practice questions here
OpenExamPrep
The 2026 SCE in Endocrinology and Diabetes is scheduled for 11 November 2026, with applications open 22 July to 19 August 2026 at 8:00am UK local time. Current SCE regulations describe an in-centre CBT format with two 3-hour papers of 100 best-of-five questions each and a one-hour break. The Federation lists fees of GBP 700 for UK sittings and GBP 875 for international sittings. The 2025 Endocrinology metrics report gives a pass mark of 462, equivalent to 62% or 124/200, and reports pass rates of 58.6% for UK resident doctors and 40.1% for all candidates.
Sample SCE Endocrinology and Diabetes Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your SCE Endocrinology and Diabetes exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1A 54-year-old man has osmotic symptoms. His HbA1c is 68 mmol/mol and a repeat fasting plasma glucose is 8.1 mmol/L. What is the most appropriate diagnosis?
2A patient with type 1 diabetes has DKA. Glucose is 29 mmol/L, pH 7.12, bicarbonate 8 mmol/L and potassium 3.1 mmol/L. What should happen before starting IV insulin?
3A newly diagnosed patient with type 2 diabetes has HbA1c 61 mmol/mol, BMI 31 kg/m2 and eGFR 78 mL/min/1.73 m2. There is no acute illness or contraindication. Which drug is the usual first-line glucose-lowering therapy?
4A conscious adult with diabetes is sweaty and confused. Capillary glucose is 2.8 mmol/L and they can swallow safely. What is the immediate treatment?
5Which advice is safest for a patient taking an SGLT2 inhibitor who develops vomiting, poor oral intake and dehydration?
6A man with longstanding diabetes attends annual review. Which bedside test is most appropriate for detecting loss of protective sensation in the feet?
7A 43-year-old with type 2 diabetes asks why retinal screening is needed despite normal vision. What is the best answer?
8A patient with diabetes has persistent albuminuria and hypertension. Which treatment most directly reduces renal and cardiovascular risk if tolerated?
9A 29-year-old has weight loss, tremor, diffuse goitre and positive TSH receptor antibodies. TSH is suppressed and free T4 is high. What is the most likely diagnosis?
10A patient at 9 weeks gestation has symptomatic Graves thyrotoxicosis requiring antithyroid medication. Which drug is generally preferred in the first trimester?
About the SCE Endocrinology and Diabetes Exam
The Specialty Certificate Examination in Endocrinology and Diabetes is a Federation/MRCP(UK) knowledge assessment for physicians. It tests the UK specialty curriculum and blueprint across diabetes diagnosis and management, diabetic emergencies, complications, hypothalamus and pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, gonadal, parathyroid/calcium and other endocrine or metabolic disorders. For UK trainees it is a required knowledge-based assessment for CCT in the listed specialty pathway; international physicians can use it as a professional benchmark against the UK specialty standard.
Assessment
Computer-based in-centre SCE with Paper 1 in the morning and Paper 2 in the afternoon.
Time Limit
Two 3-hour papers with a one-hour break between papers
Passing Score
462 scaled score; 2025 report states 62% or 124/200, in use until standards are reviewed
Exam Fee
UK: GBP 700; International: GBP 875 (Federation of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the UK / MRCP(UK))
SCE Endocrinology and Diabetes Exam Content Outline
Diabetes mellitus diagnosis and general management
Diagnosis and classification of diabetes, individualised glycaemic targets, metformin, insulin, GLP-1 receptor agonists, SGLT2 inhibitors, diabetes technology, preconception counselling and safe delivery of care.
Diabetic emergencies and acute illness or surgery
DKA, HHS, severe hypoglycaemia, sick-day medication advice, perioperative insulin, steroid hyperglycaemia, pump failure and inpatient safety.
Complications of diabetes
Microvascular and macrovascular complications including retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy, foot disease, autonomic dysfunction, cardiovascular risk and DVLA-related safety decisions.
Hypothalamus and pituitary
Prolactinoma, acromegaly, Cushing disease, nonfunctioning adenomas, hypopituitarism, pituitary apoplexy, diabetes insipidus, SIADH and replacement sequencing.
Thyroid
Thyrotoxicosis, Graves disease, thyroiditis, hypothyroidism, myxoedema coma, thyroid storm, thyroid nodules, thyroid cancer, amiodarone thyroid disease and pregnancy thyroid care.
Adrenal
Adrenal insufficiency and crisis, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, Cushing syndrome, primary aldosteronism, pheochromocytoma, adrenal incidentaloma and endocrine hypertension.
Gonads
PCOS, hypogonadism, infertility, premature ovarian insufficiency, menopause, hyperandrogenism, puberty presentations and testosterone monitoring.
Parathyroid and calcium
Primary and secondary hyperparathyroidism, familial hypocalciuric hypercalcaemia, hypoparathyroidism, vitamin D deficiency, osteoporosis, denosumab safety and hypercalcaemia of malignancy.
Other endocrine and metabolic disease
Obesity, appetite and weight disorders, genetic endocrine syndromes, lipid disease, insulinoma, miscellaneous endocrine presentations and patient-safety reasoning.
How to Pass the SCE Endocrinology and Diabetes Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: 462 scaled score; 2025 report states 62% or 124/200, in use until standards are reviewed
- Assessment: Computer-based in-centre SCE with Paper 1 in the morning and Paper 2 in the afternoon.
- Time limit: Two 3-hour papers with a one-hour break between papers
- Exam fee: UK: GBP 700; International: GBP 875
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
SCE Endocrinology and Diabetes Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the 2026 SCE in Endocrinology and Diabetes?
The Federation lists the 2026/01 Endocrinology and Diabetes SCE exam date as 11 November 2026. Applications open on 22 July 2026 and close on 19 August 2026 at 8:00am UK local time, with a reasonable adjustment deadline of 27 August 2026.
What is the SCE Endocrinology and Diabetes format?
The current SCE regulations describe an in-centre Computer-Based Testing format. The exam has two papers: Paper 1 in the morning and Paper 2 in the afternoon. Each paper is three hours and contains 100 best-of-five questions, with a one-hour break between papers.
How much does the SCE cost in 2026?
The Federation exam dates and fees page lists SCE fees as GBP 700 for UK sittings and GBP 875 for international sittings. Candidates transferring from a UK to an international location are liable for the difference.
What is the pass mark for SCE Endocrinology and Diabetes?
The 2025 selected examination metrics report states that the pass score increased from 432 to 462 after the February 2022 standards review and that future examinations will use 462 until standards are reviewed. The 2025 pass mark was 462, reported as 62% or 124/200.
Who can sit the SCE?
The specialty page states there are no entry requirements for the SCE in Endocrinology and Diabetes, although UK trainees normally take it in their penultimate year of training. The SCE FAQ adds that candidates must hold an M.D. or MBBS degree and do not need to have sat MRCP(UK) first.
What does the SCE Endocrinology blueprint cover?
The official blueprint totals 200 questions across diabetes diagnosis and management, diabetic emergencies, diabetes complications, hypothalamus and pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, gonads, parathyroid/calcium and other appetite, genetic or miscellaneous conditions.