Royal Colleges should routinely use electronic marking systems to reduce the chance of human error when grading medical examinations, advises new guidance from the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges (AoMRC). Their use should be followed by multiple cross-checks to reduce the risk of errors with the results. Colleges must communicate clearly, honestly and quickly with candidates when mistakes are made and direct them to appropriate support. The guidelines came about after a mistake in the marking of the Royal Colleges of Physicians high school exam, caused by human error when entering the results into the database. This error left nearly 300 candidates with wrong guidance. Last year it was flagged as a welcome mistake by the BMA.