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.

MRCOG Part 1 Subject Guide

MRCOG Part 1: Statistics & Epidemiology

~75 questionsMedium priority

Statistics and Epidemiology is one of the most formula-driven subjects in MRCOG Part 1, with approximately 75 questions. The same question types appear repeatedly — sensitivity/specificity, positive predictive value, study design and statistical tests. Learn the formulas once and this becomes a high-scoring subject.

Topics Covered

Screening & Diagnostic Tests

›Sensitivity — proportion of true positives correctly identified (TP / TP + FN)
›Specificity — proportion of true negatives correctly identified (TN / TN + FP)
›Positive predictive value (PPV) — TP / TP + FP; depends on prevalence
›Negative predictive value (NPV) — TN / TN + FN; depends on prevalence
›Likelihood ratios — positive LR = sensitivity / (1 - specificity)
›ROC curves — area under curve measures test performance; top-left = ideal test
›Effect of prevalence on PPV and NPV — high prevalence increases PPV

Study Design

›Randomised controlled trial (RCT) — gold standard for causation, blinding types
›Cohort study — prospective or retrospective, relative risk calculated
›Case-control study — odds ratio calculated, good for rare outcomes
›Cross-sectional study — prevalence, not incidence
›Systematic review and meta-analysis — forest plots, heterogeneity (I²)
›Bias types — selection bias, information bias, confounding

Statistical Tests & Measures

›Mean, median, mode — which to use in skewed distributions
›Normal distribution — 68-95-99.7 rule
›Standard deviation vs standard error — SE = SD / √n
›p-value — probability of result if null hypothesis were true; p<0.05 convention
›Confidence intervals — 95% CI; if CI for RR includes 1.0, result is non-significant
›Type I error (false positive) vs Type II error (false negative); power = 1 - Type II error
›Parametric vs non-parametric tests — t-test, ANOVA, Mann-Whitney, chi-squared

Measures of Association

›Relative risk (RR) — cohort studies; RR = 1 means no association
›Odds ratio (OR) — case-control studies; approximates RR when disease is rare
›Number needed to treat (NNT) = 1 / absolute risk reduction
›Absolute risk reduction (ARR) vs relative risk reduction (RRR)
›Attributable risk — excess risk due to exposure in exposed group

Exam Tips for Statistics & Epidemiology

Sensitivity/specificity calculations from 2×2 tables are tested every sitting — practice until automatic.

Remember: PPV and NPV depend on prevalence; sensitivity and specificity do not.

Confidence intervals: a 95% CI for an odds ratio that crosses 1.0 means no significant association at p=0.05.

Study design question tip: if the question asks which study design is "most appropriate" for a rare disease, answer case-control.

Statistics at Square One (Swinscow) is free online — read it twice. It covers everything you need.

Recommended Book

✓ Statistics at Square One by Swinscow — short, free online, covers all MRCOG statistics topics.

Practice Statistics & Epidemiology questions now

AceMRCOG has 75 Statistics & Epidemiology SBA questions with detailed explanations. Start with 50 questions free — no credit card needed.

Start Free →

Related Subjects

Pathology

~100 questions

Genetics

~135 questions

← Back to MRCOG Part 1 overview