The Pastest Complete Guide to the MRCOG Part 1 Exam

The complete guide to taking and passing the MRCOG Part 1 exam, including exam format, eligibility, syllabus, results and how to prepare.

What is the MRCOG Part 1 exam?

The Membership of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (MRCOG) is a three-part examination designed to assess the knowledge, skills and clinical behaviours of doctors specialising in obstetrics and gynaecology (O&G).

The MRCOG Part 1 exam is the first stage of this qualification. It focuses on the basic and applied sciences relevant to clinical practice in obstetrics and gynaecology, providing the foundation for the clinical knowledge assessed in later parts of the examination.

For doctors pursuing O&G training in the UK, passing MRCOG Part 1 is an important milestone in their training journey. The examination is also taken by international doctors who want to develop their expertise, progress in their careers and work towards MRCOG membership.

The Part 1 exam covers a broad syllabus, including scientific principles and knowledge that may not always feature in your everyday clinical work. Understanding the exam's content, format and expectations is therefore an essential first step in preparing effectively. 

Who can apply for MRCOG Part 1?

The MRCOG Part 1 exam is open to eligible medical practitioners, including doctors who have not yet entered UK O&G specialty training. You don't need to be enrolled in a UK specialty training programme to sit Part 1. This makes the examination relevant to doctors at different stages of their careers, including international medical graduates.

Eligibility requirements and application procedures are set by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG). New candidates must complete the appropriate eligibility application, while candidates who have previously sat an MRCOG examination or already had their eligibility approved generally do not need to repeat the eligibility process.

You'll need to provide the relevant medical registration and qualification documentation as part of the application process. The exact requirements depend on your circumstances, so check the official RCOG guidance before submitting your application.

How do you apply for MRCOG Part 1?

Applying for the MRCOG Part 1 exam involves two main stages:

1. Eligibility: New candidates must submit an eligibility application and have it approved.

2. Booking: Candidates must complete the expression of interest and booking process for their chosen exam sitting.

Eligibility approval does not automatically guarantee a place in a particular exam sitting. You should review the relevant deadlines and booking instructions carefully, particularly if you're planning to sit the exam alongside a busy clinical rota. For full details, visit the official RCOG eligibility and application guidance.

How is the MRCOG Part 1 exam structured?

The MRCOG Part 1 exam is a computer-based test (CBT) consisting of two papers. Both papers contain 100 single best answer (SBA) questions and contribute equally to the final score. The exam format is designed to assess your understanding of the scientific principles and applied knowledge relevant to obstetrics and gynaecology.

The two papers are structured as follows:

Familiarising yourself with the exam format before the day can help you feel more comfortable and focus on demonstrating your knowledge. The RCOG provides further information about the MRCOG Part 1 exam format.

What are single best answer questions?

Single best answer (SBA) questions present a clinical or scientific scenario, followed by a number of possible answers. Your task is to select the single option that best answers the question.

MRCOG Part 1 questions assess your understanding of the underlying science and its relevance to obstetrics and gynaecology. Some questions may require you to recall a specific scientific principle, while others ask you to apply your knowledge to a clinical context. 

The key is to understand what the question is asking, identify the most relevant information and select the best answer rather than simply choosing an option that seems familiar. Regular SBA practice is useful because it allows you to become comfortable with the question style, test your understanding and identify areas where further revision is needed.

When does the MRCOG Part 1 exam take place?

The MRCOG Part 1 exam is held twice a year, with sittings generally taking place in January and June or July. The exact exam dates, eligibility deadlines, expression of interest deadlines and booking windows are published by the RCOG and may change. Always check the official exam timetable when planning your preparation.

The following MRCOG Part 1 exam dates are published by the RCOG at the time of writing:

For the January 2027 sitting, the published expression of interest deadline is 2 October 2026, with the booking window scheduled to open on 27 October 2026 and close on 15 December 2026. Dates and deadlines are subject to change. Check the RCOG's official exam timetable before applying.

How much does the MRCOG Part 1 exam cost?

The cost of the MRCOG Part 1 exam varies according to the location and fee band of the examination centre.

The RCOG's published 2026 fees are as follows:

International fee banding is determined by the examination centre rather than the candidate's country of residence. Additional arrangements may apply in certain locations. Exam fees can change, so check the RCOG's current dates and fees before booking your exam.

What is the MRCOG Part 1 syllabus?

The MRCOG Part 1 syllabus covers the basic and applied sciences relevant to obstetrics and gynaecology. It provides the scientific foundation candidates need for clinical practice and to progress through the later stages of the MRCOG qualification (the more clinically focused Part 2 and Part 3 exams).

The breadth of the syllabus can make revision challenging. You may need to cover topics in considerable detail, including areas that don't appear regularly in your day-to-day clinical work. A structured approach to the syllabus helps you understand what you need to learn and where to focus your preparation.

What topics are covered in the MRCOG Part 1 syllabus?

Part 1 is organised around four domains of understanding, each grouping together related subjects across 15 core ‘Knowledge Areas’ that structure the wider O&G curriculum:

• Understanding Cell Function: physiology, endocrinology and biochemistry

• Understanding Human Structure: anatomy, embryology and genetics

• Understanding Measurement and Manipulation: biophysics, epidemiology and statistics, data interpretation, and pharmacology

• Understanding Illness: immunology, microbiology, pathology and clinical management

The precise scope and organisation of the syllabus may be subject to change, so always check this against the latest version of RCOG's official curriculum documentation before finalising your revision plan. Use the syllabus as the foundation of your revision rather than relying exclusively on previous exam questions.

How to use the syllabus for revision

Start by reviewing the full syllabus and identifying the areas you're already comfortable with, those you understand partially and those you haven't studied recently. You can then divide your revision into manageable sections, combining textbook study with question practice. This approach helps you move beyond simply reading information and gives you opportunities to check whether you can apply what you've learned. 

Keep track of the topics you've covered and revisit them at regular intervals. Reviewing material over time can help reinforce your knowledge, particularly for subjects involving detailed scientific terminology, pathways and processes.

What is the MRCOG Part 1 pass mark?

The MRCOG Part 1 is criterion-referenced rather than norm-referenced, meaning there isn’t a static pass mark (like "65%") that applies to every sitting. Instead, RCOG sets the pass mark separately for each sitting using a combination of Ebel's and Angoff's standard-setting methods. Examiners assess the difficulty of each individual question, then use that to calculate where the pass/fail line should sit for that specific paper.

Because question difficulty varies slightly between sittings, the exact raw score needed to pass can shift from one exam to the next. Candidates only find out the pass mark for their specific sitting (and whether they’ve passed) after the results are released, not before.

This means that comparing a mock exam score to a pass mark from an earlier sitting isn't reliable, since it may not apply to your sitting. 

How can you prepare to meet the pass mark?

A useful way to approach preparation is to combine three activities:

1. Learn: Study the scientific principles and concepts covered by the syllabus.

2. Practise: Complete SBA questions to apply your knowledge and become familiar with the exam format.

3. Review: Analyse your answers, identify knowledge gaps and return to topics that need further revision.

Instead of aiming for a particular score on a mock test, focus on building a strong understanding of the syllabus and developing the ability to answer questions accurately across a broad range of topics.

How long should you spend revising for MRCOG Part 1?

The amount of time you'll need to revise for MRCOG Part 1 depends on your existing knowledge, clinical experience, available study time and familiarity with the syllabus. The MRCOG Part 1 syllabus is broad, and many candidates will need to revise scientific concepts that they haven't studied in detail since medical school. Starting early gives you more time to cover the syllabus, practise questions and revisit topics that require additional attention.

Most candidates spend around 3 to 6 months revising, working through the syllabus alongside full-time clinical work. But rather than relying on a fixed amount of revision, consider how much time you can realistically dedicate to studying and where you’re starting from. It’s worth developing a consistent, realistic revision routine to help you make progress in a structured way.

What is the MRCOG Part 1 pass rate?

The MRCOG Part 1 pass rate can vary between exam sittings and candidate groups. RCOG doesn't publish an official, regularly updated pass rate for Part 1, so there's no single authoritative figure to point to. Commonly cited estimates put the pass rate at an average of around 30-40%. However, this is just a rough ballpark figure rather than an official statistic.

Pass rates should be interpreted carefully: they don't determine the outcome of an individual candidate's examination. In other words, just because you might see a statistic showing a high pass rate for the previous sitting, that doesn’t necessarily mean your own exam will be a breeze. Similarly, a low average pass rate doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t succeed.

If you're preparing for MRCOG Part 1, focus on understanding the syllabus, practising questions regularly and identifying the areas where you need to improve. Use official RCOG data where available to understand the wider examination context, but don't treat an overall pass rate as a prediction of your own result.

What to expect on MRCOG Part 1 exam day

The MRCOG Part 1 examination takes place at a computer-based testing centre. The exam consists of two papers, each with a duration of 2.5 hours. A lunch break of approximately one hour separates the two papers, so the full day runs to roughly six hours including the break.

Before your exam, review the RCOG and test-centre instructions, including information about arrival times and permitted items. Candidates are usually asked to arrive 30 minutes before their scheduled start time. If you arrive late, you may be refused admission, so make sure you know where your test centre is and allow sufficient time for your journey. You will also be asked to bring identification with you, so ensure you check the details and come prepared.

With two 2.5-hour papers to get through, pacing and concentration matter as much on the day as your revision does beforehand. Use the lunch break to eat, rest and reset your focus rather than cramming last-minute revision, which tends to raise anxiety more than it helps.

When will I receive my MRCOG Part 1 results?

MRCOG Part 1 results are released by the RCOG according to the timetable published for each exam sitting. For example, the January 2027 exam is scheduled for 19 January, with results due to be released on 17 February 2027. The exact arrangements and dates may be subject to change.

Results information and candidate communications are provided through the RCOG's official systems. Check the College's guidance for the latest information about how and when results are issued and what to do if you have questions about your outcome.

What happens after passing MRCOG Part 1?

If you've passed your MRCOG Part 1 exam, congratulations! 

Passing MRCOG Part 1 is the first examination milestone in the three-part MRCOG qualification. Candidates must complete Parts 1, 2 and 3, alongside meeting the relevant requirements, before membership of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists is awarded. Part 2 assesses the application of knowledge in clinical scenarios, while Part 3 is a clinical assessment of knowledge, skills, attitudes and competencies.

The next stage of your training and examination journey will depend on your circumstances, career goals and the requirements that apply to you. The RCOG provides guidance on the different stages of the qualification and the routes available to candidates.

What happens if you don’t pass?

Many candidates don’t pass the MRCOG Part 1 exam the first time they take it. So if you haven't passed, know that you’re not alone.

Take time to review the feedback and understand the next steps available to you. Consider which parts of your preparation worked well and where you could make changes before a future sitting. Your approach to a resit should be informed by the official feedback and the areas of the syllabus that require additional attention.

 

How Pastest can help you prepare for MRCOG Part 1

Preparing for the MRCOG Part 1 exam can be challenging, particularly when you're trying to cover a broad syllabus while balancing this with clinical work and other commitments. Regular question practice can help you build familiarity with the SBA format, check your understanding and identify areas where you need to revise further. 

Pastest's MRCOG Part 1 online revision resource is designed to support your exam success with a combination of SBA practice and topic-based learning. It includes 1,300 question bank questions, two 100-question past papers and over 300 MRCOG-specific textbook topics covering high-yield areas of the Part 1 syllabus. You can use topic-based learning alongside SBA practice to strengthen your understanding, revisit difficult concepts and focus on areas where you've identified knowledge gaps.

If you're studying for the MRCOG Part 1 exam, Pastest has everything you need to work through the syllabus and build confidence in your knowledge. Get started today, or contact us to learn more.