How immunopathology is examined
The RCPA Basic Pathological Sciences (BPS) examination is an online invigilated exam open to medical, science and dental students and graduates, as well as RCPA trainees, international medical graduates, registrars and junior doctors. It tests the general principles of pathology that underpin every discipline. Check the RCPA website for the current format, dates, fees and exemptions.
Core concepts
| Concept | What to know |
|---|---|
| Innate immunity | Complement, neutrophils, macrophages, NK cells |
| Adaptive immunity | T and B cells, MHC |
| Hypersensitivity | Type I IgE, II antibody to cells, III immune complex, IV T cell |
| Autoimmunity | Loss of tolerance, autoantibodies |
| Transplant rejection | Hyperacute, acute, chronic |
| Immunodeficiency | Primary and secondary, HIV |
| Amyloidosis | AL and AA types, Congo red apple-green birefringence |
Worked questions
Worked question · Hypersensitivity
Post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis is which type of hypersensitivity?
- A Type III
- B Type I
- C Type II
- D Type IV
- E Not a hypersensitivity
Show the reasoning
Answer A. Immune complexes deposit in glomeruli, activating complement: type III hypersensitivity.
Worked question · Rejection
Hyperacute rejection is caused by what?
- A Preformed antibodies
- B Cytotoxic T cells
- C Chronic vascular injury
- D Graft-versus-host
- E Drug toxicity
Show the reasoning
Answer A. Preformed recipient antibodies against donor antigens cause hyperacute rejection within minutes.
High-yield facts to memorise
| Term | Key fact |
|---|---|
| Type I | Anaphylaxis, asthma, hay fever |
| Type II | Haemolytic transfusion reaction, Goodpasture, Graves |
| Type III | SLE, post-streptococcal GN, serum sickness |
| Type IV | Contact dermatitis, TB skin test, type 1 diabetes |
| Bruton agammaglobulinaemia | Absent B cells |
| DiGeorge syndrome | Thymic aplasia, T cell deficiency |
Turn each row into a flashcard and test yourself until you can explain the mechanism, not just the label.
A 3-week revision block
| Week | Focus |
|---|---|
| 1 | Immunity basics and hypersensitivity |
| 2 | Autoimmunity and transplantation |
| 3 | Immunodeficiency, amyloid and mixed |
Answer timed questions daily and write a one-line mechanism for every question you get wrong.
Common traps
- Mixing hypersensitivity types.
- Confusing rejection timelines.
- Forgetting amyloid staining.
Free sample immunopathology questions
Questions from our Pathology (RCPA) bank. Choose your answer, then open the explanation.
Type I hypersensitivity is mediated by:
- ASensitised T cells over 48 hours
- BComplement deficiency alone
- CIgE on mast cells
- DIgG against cell surface antigens
- EImmune complex deposition in vessels
Show answer and explanation
Answer C. Type I: IgE-mediated mast cell degranulation (anaphylaxis, asthma). II: antibody to cell surface. III: immune complexes. IV: T cell (delayed).
Learning point: Type I: IgE and mast cells.
Firm adhesion of leucocytes to endothelium is mediated by:
- ABradykinin
- BProstaglandins
- CIntegrins and ICAM-1
- DHistamine
- ESelectins only, during rolling
Show answer and explanation
Answer C. Rolling uses selectins; firm adhesion uses integrins (LFA-1) binding ICAM-1; then transmigration via PECAM-1.
Learning point: Firm adhesion: integrins and ICAM-1.
Which disease is a type II hypersensitivity reaction?
- AContact dermatitis to nickel
- BHay fever
- CPost-streptococcal glomerulonephritis
- DSerum sickness after antivenom
- EGoodpasture syndrome
Show answer and explanation
Answer E. Goodpasture: anti-GBM antibodies (type II). PSGN and serum sickness are type III; contact dermatitis type IV.
Learning point: Goodpasture: type II.
Practise more immunopathology questions free
Every immunopathology subtopic in our bank
The bank holds 22 immunopathology questions across 21 subtopics. You can filter by any of them, build a custom block and track your accuracy subtopic by subtopic.
- AA amyloid1
- Acute inflammation1
- Anaphylaxis1
- Anaphylaxis mediator1
- Bruton agammaglobulinaemia1
- Chronic granulomatous disease1
- Complement1
- Complement deficiency1
- Graft-versus-host disease1
- Granuloma1
- HLA associations1
- Hypersensitivity type I1
- Immunodeficiency1
- Leucocyte adhesion1
- Mediators1
- Sarcoidosis1
- SLE antibodies2
- Transplant rejection1
- Type II example1
- Type IV1
- Wound healing1
Common questions
How is amyloid identified?
Congo red stain with apple-green birefringence under polarised light.
Is HIV pathology tested?
Secondary immunodeficiency including HIV is a core topic.
What causes acute rejection?
Mainly T cell-mediated injury, with antibody-mediated forms.
How many immunopathology questions are in the Pathology (RCPA) bank?
There are 22 immunopathology questions across 21 subtopics, and the bank grows as new questions pass review.
Can I practise only immunopathology questions?
Yes. Filter by area or by any subtopic to build a custom block, in tutor mode with explanations after each question or in timed mode.
How are immunopathology questions explained?
Every question explains why the answer is right and why each other option is wrong, with a learning point and the Australian source behind it.
How much of the Pathology (RCPA) mock is immunopathology?
About 17 questions in each 100-question mock come from immunopathology, following our mock blueprint.
Which sources is this immunopathology page based on?
It summarises current Australian guidance, including RCPA Basic Pathological Sciences examination; Robbins and Kumar Basic Pathology (standard text). Guidelines change, so always check the latest edition.
When was this immunopathology guide last updated?
It was last reviewed on 9 November 2026. We update topic pages when the exam or Australian guidance changes.
How do I unlock all Pathology (RCPA) questions?
Choose a Pathology (RCPA) plan: 3 or 6 months of access, from A$399.99, one payment with no auto-renew. It opens every area, not just immunopathology.
Sources
Clinical content is summarised from current Australian guidance at the date above. Guidelines change, so always check the latest edition.
- RCPA Basic Pathological Sciences examination
- Robbins and Kumar Basic Pathology (standard text)