MRCOG Part 1 Exam Important Information

The MRCOG (Membership of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists) Part 1 is the first of three exams for doctors aiming to become members of the RCOG, it is part of the matrix requirements before entry to ST3 (but progression is still possible without a pass). The MRCOG Part 1 exam assesses your knowledge of the basic and applied sciences that underpin clinical practice in obstetrics and gynaecology.

📝 Format

– Two papers, each lasting 2.5 hours, with a optional 60 minute break in between both papers.

– Both are Single Best Answer (SBA) format

– No negative marking

– Each paper has 100 questions (total of 200 questions) and each paper has equal weighting i.e. 50% of total score is from Paper 1 and 50% of total score is from Paper 2.

– The exams run twice a year, often one in January and one in June/July – read ‘MRCOG Part 1 exam: how to apply’ by RCOG for key dates.

– Pass mark changes yearly and is not a fixed percentage.

– Update since July 2025 exams* – some reference values now given (inc. FBC)

🧠 Content & Syllabus

It covers the following 14 domains – linked to 16 core modules of the RCOG curriculum (listed in order of weighting for each exam, % coverage). Core modules 2, 4, 19 not examined.

See Part 1 Blueprinting grid online (RCOG website) for more information.

PAPER 1 – 100q, 2.5 hours

– Anatomy (especially pelvic anatomy and reproductive physiology) (pelvis – bones, ligaments and joints; pelvic organs, pelvic nerves and vessels, perineum, anterior abdominal wall, breast, fetal skull, male genitalia, abdominal incisions, nerve injuries with gynaecological (obstetric) surgeries,

– Endocrinology (adrenal, thyroid and pancreas)

– Physiology (acid base balance and ABG interpretation; calcium homeostasis, urodynamics)

– Epidemiology and statistics (practice interpretation of graphs, study designs, and p-values)

– Genetics (banding techniques, CRISPR/CAS9 system, sanger sequence)

– Embryology (development of urogenital system, placenta and fetal membranes)

– Biochemistry (PKU in pregnancy)

PAPER 2

– Data interpretation (CTG, ECG, spirometry, urodynamics, partogram, acid-base balance)

– Pathology (placenta accreta spectrum, ectopic pregnancies, GTD treatment and follow-up, pruritic in pregnancy, obstetric cholestasis, endometrial hyperplasia, pathology in pregnancy, pathology in female reproductive system, circulation disorders)

– Pharmacology (analgesia, contraceptions, drugs related to fetal wellbeing, corticosteroids in pregnancy, epilepsy in pregnancy, PPH)

– Microbiology (TORCH, Mpox in pregnancy, hospital acquired infections, mycology, parasitology, chlamydia, mycoplasma, ureaplasma, syphilis, other STIs, waterborne diseases)

– Clinical management (antenatal care, maternal medicine, management of labour and delivery, postpartum problems, gynaecological problems, sub fertility, sexual and reproductive health, gynaecological oncology, urogynaecology and pelvic floor problems management)

– Immunology (transplantation, vaccination, autoimmune disease + immunodeficiency syndromes, hypersensitivity)

– Biophysics

📍 Exam Frequency & Location

– Conducted twice a year (usually January and June/July)

– Available in multiple international centres

🎯 Eligibility

– Candidates must have a medical degree acceptable to the RCOG (an MBBS or equivalent)

⭐ Top Tips for MRCOG Part 1 Preparation

– Revise topics 3–4 times before the exam using spaced repetition.

– Use a trusted question bank to practice SBAs regularly and practice with timed mock papers to get exam-ready.

– Benchmark your prep. MRCOG Part 1 is a challening exam. Around 2,000–3,000 candidates sit each time, with a pass rate of just 50–60% (2021). Smart and focused preparation is key. MRCOGnet Part 1 Question Bank can give you the edge you need to succeed.

– Have a study schedule! Start 3 months in advance, work 60min x3 a day for 5 days a week. Study topic by topic using a question bank – read around the questions given in a question bank and this is the key to your pass.

– Recommended reading : Revision Notes for the MRCOG Part 1 (Anantharacagan), but more so simply reading around the topics given in this question bank.