DCH (Diploma in Child Health (DCH)) — Free Online Mock Test
Diploma in Child Health (DCH) · MCQ. United Kingdom examination. · Official language: English.
DCH exam at a glance
DCH key facts & eligibility
| Conducting body | Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) |
|---|---|
| Official website | rcpch.ac.uk ↗ |
| Mode | The Diploma in Child Health (DCH) — an internationally recognised postgraduate medical diploma demonstrating competence in child health, aimed at GPs and other doctors who care for children. It has two non-sequential parts that can be taken in either order: a computer-based theory exam and a clinical (OSCE) exam. |
| Frequency | Held in scheduled diets each year. |
| Scoring & marking | The DCH has a computer-based theory exam (the Foundation of Practice paper), standard-set using the modified Angoff method, and a DCH Clinical exam — an 8-station OSCE (delivered online since October 2020, with candidates verbalising their examination approach). Both must be passed to be awarded the diploma. (The theory format was revised in a 2024 diet — confirm the current paper on rcpch.ac.uk.) |
| Score validity | The DCH is awarded on passing both parts and is a lasting postgraduate qualification. |
| Language | English. |
Who is eligible for DCH?
A primary medical qualification / registration; RCPCH recommends (but does not require) around 4–6 months of paediatric experience, and strong English proficiency is advised.
Last verified July 2026 against RCPCH — About the Diploma in Child Health. Always confirm current details on the official website before you register.
DCH section breakdown
The DCH mock test on Wrexa Edge replicates the real exam's section structure — same names, same question count per section, same time limits. No inter-section breaks — the timer runs continuously.
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DCH (55 Q)
DCH scoring & marking scheme
Strategy: DCH has no negative marking. Attempt every question — blank answers cost you potential marks but cannot pull your score down.
Scale: DCH (pass 700/1000).
How DCH is conducted
- Mode
- Test format
- Backtracking
- Mark for review
DCH time strategy
With 55 questions in 180 minutes, you have about 196 seconds per question on average. Successful candidates aim for the following pacing on each section:
- DCH (55 Q)
Wrexa Edge's analytics show your actual time-per-question after every mock so you can spot which sections you're losing time on.
DCH topics covered
Across the 50 Wrexa Edge variants of DCH, the following topics appear most often (sample distribution from one variant):
DCH (55 Q)
- Clinical Medicine · 28
- SAH Workup · 1
- PE Workup · 1
- Pulmonary TB · 1
- Variceal Bleed · 1
- H. pylori · 1
- Colorectal Cancer Screening · 1
- Pancreatitis · 1
DCH difficulty calibration
Advanced tier. Advanced-level: high-stakes exam with rigorous content depth. Expect 4-8 months of structured prep.
Diploma in Child Health (DCH) · MCQ. United Kingdom examination. · Official language: English.
Verified content — Wrexa Edge's DCH bank has been deeply curated with real exam-aligned content (estimated 100% syllabus coverage).
How Wrexa Edge prepares you for DCH
- Real test-day interface
- 50 distinct variants
- Detailed analytics
- Spaced repetition (Notebook)
- Optional proctoring
- Free to start
Expert take: what DCH really tests
The Diploma in Child Health (DCH), from the RCPCH, is an internationally recognised postgraduate diploma in child health, popular with GPs and doctors who care for children. It has two non-sequential parts — a computer-based Foundation of Practice theory exam (standard-set by modified Angoff) and a DCH Clinical exam that is an 8-station OSCE (delivered online since 2020). Both must be passed to be awarded the diploma; the theory format was revised in a 2024 diet, so confirm the current paper on rcpch.ac.uk.
Preparation tips
- Take the two parts in whichever order suits you — they are independent.
- Rehearse the 8-station OSCE, including verbalised examination.
- Confirm the current theory-exam format before booking.
⚠️ Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming an in-person OSCE — the DCH Clinical is delivered online.
- Preparing to an outdated theory format after the 2024 revision.
DCH study plan
A phase-by-phase roadmap from your first concept to test-ready. Stretch or compress each phase to fit the time you have before your attempt.
- Foundation of Practice theory exam (computer-based)
- DCH Clinical — 8-station OSCE (online since 2020)
- The parts are non-sequential — take them in any order
- Paediatric theory across common presentations
- Child health assessment and management
- OSCE communication and examination technique
- Rehearse the 8 clinical stations
- Practise verbalised examination
- Confirm the current theory format on rcpch.ac.uk
Where DCH can take you
A strong DCH result opens up these careers and higher-study paths:
- Child-health credential
- Internationally recognised
Best books & official prep for DCH
- DCH revision guides — Various
- DCH Clinical (OSCE) practice — Various
Official practice: Prepare from the RCPCH DCH information on rcpch.ac.uk; the two parts are independent, so plan the theory (Foundation of Practice) and the 8-station Clinical OSCE separately.
Previous-year papers: RCPCH publishes DCH regulations and sample material.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the DCH exam pattern?
- Diploma in Child Health (DCH) contains 55 questions across 1 section: DCH (55 Q). Total duration is 180 minutes (about 196 seconds per question).
- Does DCH have negative marking?
- No — DCH has no negative marking. Each correct answer is worth 1 mark, so attempt every question.
- How is DCH scored?
- Scaled score range: 100 to 1000. DCH (pass 700/1000).
- How can I practise DCH online for free?
- Wrexa Edge gives you 10 free full-length DCH mock tests — with instant scoring, detailed explanations and analytics — plus 40 more with Pro. Start practising in under a minute, no card required.
- What is the difficulty level of DCH?
- DCH is rated Advanced difficulty on Wrexa Edge. Advanced-level: high-stakes exam with rigorous content depth. Expect 4-8 months of structured prep. Diploma in Child Health (DCH) · MCQ. United Kingdom examination. · Official language: English.
- How long is the DCH exam?
- DCH runs for 180 minutes total. On Wrexa Edge the timer is enforced exactly as on the real exam — including no inter-section breaks.
- What topics are covered in DCH?
- DCH is split into: DCH (55 Q). Each section is timed and weighted separately. Diploma in Child Health (DCH) · MCQ. United Kingdom examination. · Official language: English.
- What tools or aids are allowed during DCH?
- No special tools are required. Note: real exam is proctored — Wrexa Edge mirrors this with a webcam-based proctoring flow you can enable.
- Is the DCH test adaptive?
- No — DCH is a fixed-form (linear) test. Every candidate sees the same number of questions per section.
- How many DCH mock tests does Wrexa Edge offer?
- Wrexa Edge generates 50 distinct DCH variants — each with different question content, not just shuffled options — the first 10 free for everyone and 40 more with Pro. That's 2750 unique practice questions in the real test-day interface.
- Is there a free DCH test series 2026?
- Yes. The Wrexa Edge DCH test series for 2026 gives you 10 free full-length mock tests (50 in total) plus subject-wise and topic-wise tests — instant scoring and detailed analysis, no card required.
- Are DCH previous year question–style papers included?
- Every DCH mock is modelled on the official exam pattern and the style of previous years' papers — the same 55-question structure, sections and marking — so your practice mirrors the real paper you'll sit.
- Which is the best free DCH mock test online?
- Wrexa Edge's DCH mock test replicates the real exam interface, timing and marking scheme, with instant score, section-wise analysis and 50 fresh variants — a strong free choice for 2026 preparation.
- Can I take the DCH mock test on mobile?
- Yes. DCH mock tests run in any browser on mobile, tablet or desktop — no app or download needed. Start on your phone and your progress and analytics sync when you sign in.
- What is the DCH syllabus?
- The DCH syllabus maps to its 1 section: DCH (55 Q). Wrexa Edge's mock tests cover the complete syllabus topic by topic — see the topics-covered breakdown above — so you practise every area at real exam difficulty.
- What is the eligibility for DCH?
- Eligibility for DCH — age, qualification and number of attempts — is set by the official conducting body and can change each cycle, so always confirm the current official notification before applying. Wrexa Edge focuses on realistic DCH practice: 10 free full-length mocks in the exact exam pattern, ready whenever you are.
- When is the DCH exam and how should I prepare?
- Official DCH exam dates are announced by the conducting body for each cycle — check the latest notification for the current schedule. To be ready, follow a phased study plan and take full-length timed mocks; Wrexa Edge gives you 10 free DCH mocks with instant scoring so you can track your readiness week by week.
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