How many questions does AceMRCOG have?

AceMRCOG has 1,750 expertly curated MRCOG Part 1 SBA questions across all 14 subjects including Physiology, Pharmacology, Microbiology, Genetics, Pathology, Anatomy, Statistics, Immunology, Biochemistry, Endocrinology, Biophysics, Neonatology, Clinical Management and Embryology.

Yes. AceMRCOG offers a free plan with 50 questions — no credit card required. Paid plans unlock all 1,750 questions, timed mock tests, detailed explanations and performance analytics.

Does AceMRCOG have mock tests?

Yes. Paid plans include full timed mock tests that simulate the real MRCOG Part 1 exam format. Each mock has 100 questions with a 90-minute timer, matching the actual exam conditions.

What is the MRCOG Part 1 pass rate?

The MRCOG Part 1 first-attempt pass rate is approximately 40-50%. Candidates who practice at least 1,500 questions and complete multiple timed mock tests significantly improve their chances of passing on the first attempt.

How long should I study for MRCOG Part 1?

Most successful candidates study for 3-6 months. If working clinically, 3 months with 1.5-2 hours of daily structured study and daily question practice is achievable. The key is consistent question practice — at least 30 questions per day.

What subjects are tested in MRCOG Part 1?

MRCOG Part 1 tests 14 subjects: Physiology, Pharmacology, Microbiology, Genetics, Pathology, Anatomy, Statistics & Epidemiology, Immunology, Biochemistry, Endocrinology, Biophysics, Neonatology, Clinical Management and Embryology.

When is the MRCOG Part 1 exam held?

The MRCOG Part 1 exam is held twice a year — typically in March and September. Exact dates are published by the RCOG on their official website. Registration usually opens 3-4 months before the exam date.

What is the MRCOG Part 1 exam?

The MRCOG Part 1 is a basic science examination set by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG). It tests knowledge across 14 subjects including Physiology, Pharmacology, Microbiology, Genetics, Pathology and Anatomy. The exam consists of 225 Single Best Answer (SBA) questions across two 90-minute papers and is held twice yearly in March and September.

What is the MRCOG Part 1 pass rate?

The first-attempt pass rate for MRCOG Part 1 is approximately 40–50%. The pass mark is set per sitting using the Modified Angoff method and typically falls between 60–70% of questions correct.

How long should I study for MRCOG Part 1?

Most successful candidates study for 3–4 months. If working clinically, 3 months with 1.5–2 hours of daily study and 30+ questions per day is achievable. Starting earlier is always better.

What subjects are in MRCOG Part 1?

MRCOG Part 1 tests 14 subjects: Physiology, Pharmacology, Microbiology, Genetics, Pathology, Anatomy, Statistics & Epidemiology, Immunology, Biochemistry, Endocrinology, Embryology, Biophysics, Neonatology and Clinical Management. The highest-yield subjects are Microbiology (165 questions), Physiology (139), Genetics (135) and Pharmacology (131).

How many questions are in MRCOG Part 1?

MRCOG Part 1 has 225 questions in total across two papers of 100 questions each (plus 25 pilot questions that do not count toward your score). All questions are Single Best Answer (SBA) format — choose the single best answer from five options. There is no negative marking.

Complete Guide — Updated 2025

MRCOG Part 1: Everything You Need to Know

The MRCOG Part 1 is a demanding basic science exam with a ~45% first-attempt pass rate. This guide covers the exam format, all 14 subjects, pass mark, study strategy and exactly what top candidates do differently.

225

SBA Questions

~45%

Pass Rate

Subjects Tested

Exam Format

The MRCOG Part 1 is a written examination set by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG). It tests basic biomedical science knowledge relevant to obstetrics and gynaecology.

Total questions225 SBA questions

Papers2 papers, 100 questions each (+ 25 pilot questions)

Time per paper90 minutes (~48 seconds per question)

Question typeSingle Best Answer (SBA) — choose 1 from 5 options

Negative markingNone — always answer every question

Pass mark60–70% (set per sitting using Modified Angoff method)

First-attempt pass rate~45% (historical average)

Exam frequencyTwice yearly — March and September

The 14 MRCOG Part 1 Subjects

Questions are distributed across 14 subjects. The four highest-yield subjects alone account for over half the paper — prioritise these heavily in your study plan.

Physiology →

~139 QsHigh

Reproductive physiology, endocrinology, cardiovascular, renal

Microbiology →

~165 QsHigh

STIs, bacterial/viral infections, antimicrobials, infection in pregnancy

Pharmacology →

~131 QsHigh

Oxytocics, tocolytics, antibiotics, drug mechanisms, pharmacokinetics

Genetics →

~135 QsHigh

Mendelian inheritance, chromosomal disorders, molecular genetics, population genetics

Pathology →

~100 QsMedium

Cell injury, inflammation, neoplasia, gynaecological pathology

Anatomy →

~85 QsMedium

Pelvis, perineum, reproductive tract, surgical anatomy

Statistics & Epidemiology →

~75 QsMedium

Sensitivity/specificity, study design, p-values, confidence intervals

Biochemistry →

~70 QsMedium

Enzymes, metabolism, hormones, cell signalling

Immunology →

~60 QsMedium

Innate/adaptive immunity, autoimmunity, transplant, allergy

Endocrinology →

~55 QsMedium

HPO axis, thyroid, adrenal, diabetes in pregnancy

Embryology →

~45 QsLower

Gametogenesis, fertilisation, fetal development, placentation

Biophysics →

~40 QsLower

Ultrasound physics, radiation, measurement

Neonatology →

~40 QsLower

Fetal physiology, neonatal adaptation, neonatal conditions

Clinical Management →

~30 QsLower

Evidence-based clinical decision-making in O&G

Question counts are approximate based on RCOG syllabus weighting.

How to Pass MRCOG Part 1

The candidates who pass first time follow consistent patterns. These five habits account for the majority of the difference between passing and failing:

Start 3–4 months before

The volume of basic science is too large for last-minute cramming. 3 months of structured daily study is the minimum for most candidates.

Prioritise the Big 4 subjects

Physiology, Microbiology, Pharmacology and Genetics together account for over 50% of questions. Master these before anything else.

Do questions daily — not just reading

Candidates who practice 30+ questions per day consistently outperform those who read alone. Active recall is the most effective study method.

Do 4+ timed mock papers

The exam allows ~48 seconds per question. Without timed practice, most candidates cannot complete the paper — timed mocks build pace and stamina.

Aim for 70%+

The pass mark varies 60–70% per sitting. Targeting 70%+ gives you a safety buffer and reduces anxiety about where the mark is set.

The Pass Mark: How It Works

The MRCOG Part 1 does not have a fixed pass mark. After each sitting, the RCOG uses the Modified Angoff method to set the pass mark based on the difficulty of that particular paper.

In practice, the pass mark falls between 60% and 70% of questions correct. A harder paper gets a lower pass mark; an easier paper gets a higher one. You cannot know the exact mark until after results are released.

Strategy: Target 70%+ to give yourself a comfortable buffer regardless of where the pass mark lands on your sitting.

Start practising — 50 questions free

1,750 MRCOG Part 1 SBA questions across all 14 subjects. Timed mocks, performance tracking, detailed explanations. No credit card for the free plan.

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MRCOG Part 1 Resources

How to Pass MRCOG Part 1 →

The complete strategy guide — what to study, when and how.

12-Week Study Schedule →

Week-by-week plan built around your exam date.

Exam Dates 2025 & 2026 →

Registration deadlines and preparation timelines.

Pass Rate: What the Data Shows →

Why candidates fail — and what successful candidates do differently.

Recommended Books →

The 7 textbooks worth reading — and which to skip.

SBA Question Technique →

6 techniques to eliminate wrong answers and improve accuracy.

Free Practice Questions →

50 free SBA questions across all 14 subjects — no sign-up needed.

Full Syllabus Breakdown →

All 14 subjects with topic lists and question weighting.

Who Can Sit MRCOG Part 1?

Any registered medical practitioner with a primary medical qualification accepted by the RCOG is eligible to sit MRCOG Part 1. There is no minimum period of O&G training required before the Part 1 — many candidates sit early in their training.

Candidates from outside the UK and Ireland are welcome. The exam is offered at approved centres worldwide. Check rcog.org.uk for the current list of centres and eligibility requirements.

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