Guidelines to Prepare for MRCOG Part 1 Exams

 Member of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, abbreviated as MRCOG, is one of the most sought after qualification for an aspiring gynecologist. In order to add this top class qualification beside one's name, an aspirant has to clear three parts of the MRCOG examination. The first part of MRCOG is a Computer Based test. Two CBT examinations are included in part 1. In each CBT, an aspirant has to answer 100 questions in 2.5 hours. There is no minimum score requirement, however an aspirant has to mark maximum number of correct answers to get qualified for the MRCOG part 2 exam. These two papers of MRCOG part 1 examination are usually held in a single day. There will be a break of one hour between both the papers. For appearing in MRCOG exam Part 1, an aspirant must fill application form first and get their eligibility checked, declare expression of interest, and then book the exam.                                                                                                      

Given below is a comprehensive guide for preparing MRCOG part 1 exam:

1- Since MRCOG part 1 exam consists of single best answer type questions, an aspirant has to practice answering in a concise manner. By learning from a book where the content is given in a concise way- for example in bullet points, charts, diagrams etc., the aspirant can save both time and efforts needed in noting important points or setting aside the clutter to derive answers in a compact form.

2- An aspirant is expected to know the standard way of learning which involves going through the syllabus in detail before starting with the learning chapters or concepts. MRCOG, like UG and PG, requires an aspirant to begin with the syllabus. Owing to the vast nature of MRCOG syllabus, an aspirant must start preparing at least one year prior for cracking MRCOG Part 1 in the first attempt. Registration for part 1 happens twice a year- first in March and then in September. An aspirant planning to crack the MRCOG in either March or September, should plan the study lessons and revision strategy beforehand.

3- Instead of putting long hours in MRCOG preparation, an aspirant can break the preparation time in smaller batches, thereby allocating equal number of hours to each subject. For example, if an aspirant is following the Richa Saxena MRCOG book, a chapter that is already written in a concise format can be covered in 4 days. Images, infographics, videos that are available on top grade MRCOG online prep courses must be revised on a rotational basis.

4- Creating a logically organized schedule will prevent a topic or concept from getting missed. Like every other exam where there are some topics that are always more important than the others, the MRCOG part 1 exam also emphasizes a few sets of concepts. However, it doesn't mean that the other concepts should be overlooked. A smart aspirant correctly estimates the other concepts that are likely to come. By analyzing MRCOG past papers, one can get a fairly good idea of it. If one has subscribed to the online MRCOG course, possible questions and concepts can be discussed at length with the faculty also. 

The following are some of the benefits of passing the MRCOG exam:

• The MRCOG degree is recognized internationally. Hence if an aspirant is aiming to practise in other countries, this degree will serve as an added strength to one's portfolio. 

• The membership of MRCOG is nothing less than a coveted asset. A member also gets exposure to network with eminent gynecologists and obstetrics specialists from around the world. Getting included in the club of grates automatically boosts one’s career.

• The RCOG membership builds confidence not only in the minds of patients but also with the management of the healthcare institute where an aspirant seeks employment. Since it is a known fact that the coveted MRCOG exam tests the knowledge, skills and clinical competency of an aspiring top gynecologist and obstetric specialist, hence, the bar of belief and faith quotient is raised considerably. 

Overall, it can be said that Cracking the MRCOG Part 1 is not a difficult task. It is quite achievable with the right guidance, right study resources and right MRCOG course.