Hundreds of trainee doctors will be forced to re-sit a crucial $1,800 medical exam after a technical glitch crashed the test and wiped their answers.

The computer based written exam is administered by the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) and trainee doctors are required to pass it before they can specialise as physicians or paediatricians.

Some trainees who sat yesterday’s two-part exam were presented with an error message on their screen after completing the first part of the test, and later the entire cohort was told the exam had been cancelled for “technical reasons”.

“The College explored all options with exam provider Pearson Vue to allow the exam to continue, before the Chairs of the Examinations Committee decided to call off the exam,” the RACP said in a statement.

Trainees will now be forced to re-sit the entire test at a yet to be determined date and time, potentially interfering with work and holiday plans.

In a statement the RACP said it was “very disappointed” with the outcome and apologised to all candidates “for the distress caused”.

“We understand that some trainees have booked leave or holidays following today’s computer based test, and we are working as quickly as possible to reschedule a new exam,” the RACP said.

This was the first year the exam had been conducted using computers. The make-up exam will be paper based, and the RACP has launched an inquiry into the incident.

Junkee understands that a number of trainees registered their concern around the use of computers and asked the RACP to investigate contingencies, but that does not appear to have occurred.

Many trainees expressed their frustrations on social media:

I guess this is one way to find out. I finished the exam early (both parts) and only found out it was irrelevant via a whatsapp group and not RACP.

— Thaddeus Tuttle (@TurtleThad) February 19, 2018

@TheRACP refunds are not an answer the college will deal with @pearson and use legal avenues to receive financial compensation for their debacle..families have put life events on hold weddings planned holidays planned doctors cannot be subject to this trauma

— Ashish Naik (@naikash007) February 19, 2018

This was the most important exam of my life to date. I had studied hard, put my life on hold, fought through nerves and anxiety only to be left distraught and upset. And your first communication to us was via Facebook!! I’m so disappointed.

— Dr Victoria Johnson (@vicjohnson10) February 19, 2018

@TheRACP my wife attempted to sit the exam yesterday and is too nice to speak up but I'm not. Fuck you. Fuck you for my kids that were excited to have their mum back today and go to the zoo #racp

— Mike (@baabaakiwisheep) February 19, 2018

On Facebook one trainee posted: “We told you computerised exams were a bad idea. Yours sincerely, Literally fucking everyone.”

“Absolutely deplorable response by the RACP,” another said. “A complete lack of recognition for the immense sacrifice that these doctors are required to make just to step foot in the exam hall.”

Many trainees have also accused the RACP of not doing enough to assess whether Pearson Vue, the private company hired to administer the test, was up to the job. A 2016 article in the Washington Post has documented dozens of technical problems with Pearson-administered exams.

Fears For Students’ Mental Health

Junkee has spoken to a number of current and former trainees who have expressed concern over the mental health and wellbeing of those forced to re-sit exams. A recent survey found that young doctors and medical students experienced higher rates of suicidal thoughts than the general community.

The suicide of three young doctors in NSW last year has lead to the state government launching an investigation into the issue of junior doctor mental health.

Junkee understands a letter is being prepared by trainee doctors that alleges the RACP failed to take concerns about the computer exam seriously, hasn’t provided enough support and communication to trainees in the aftermath of yesterday’s incident, and raises the financial impact on trainees forced to take further time off so they can resit the exam.

In a statement the Australian Medical Association Council of Doctors in Training (AMACDT) said “Exams are extraordinarily stressful, costly and trainees need to take time off work to participate. This type of situation should never have arisen and the AMACDT will definitely be taking up trainee concerns directly with the College.”

They have also encouraged trainees to contact health services specifically tailored for doctors and medical students, such as Doctors’ Health Services.

Junkee has contacted the RACP for comment.