MRCOG Part 1 Pass Rate: What the Data Shows
The MRCOG Part 1 has a first-attempt pass rate of approximately 40–50%. But that headline figure hides the real story — what separates candidates who pass from those who don't.
Key Statistics
Why Do Candidates Fail?
Analysis of repeat sitters consistently reveals the same patterns:
Insufficient question practice
Over-reliance on reading textbooks without active question practice
Poor time management on exam day
Not completing the paper — no timed mock practice before the exam
Weak high-yield subjects
Neglecting Microbiology, Pharmacology or Physiology which dominate the paper
Insufficient preparation time
Starting study less than 8 weeks before the exam
Based on patterns reported by MRCOG repeat sitters and RCOG guidance.
6 Habits of Candidates Who Pass
Practice questions daily
Candidates who practice ≥30 questions/day for 3+ months consistently outperform those who rely on reading alone. Active recall is the single most effective study method.
Complete 4+ full mock papers
Timing yourself under exam conditions builds stamina and exposes time management weaknesses. The most common cause of failure is running out of time, not lack of knowledge.
Focus on high-yield subjects
Physiology (139 questions), Microbiology (165), Pharmacology (131) and Genetics (135) together make up over 50% of the exam. Prioritise these subjects heavily.
Review wrong answers in depth
Simply noting right/wrong is not enough. Candidates who pass analyse why they chose incorrectly — identifying knowledge gaps vs. technique errors vs. careless mistakes.
Start 3–4 months before exam
Last-minute cramming rarely works for MRCOG Part 1. The sheer volume of basic science requires sustained study over months, not weeks.
Use spaced repetition
Re-testing on topics from weeks ago cements long-term memory far more effectively than re-reading. A question bank with performance tracking makes this systematic.
Pass Mark: How It Works
The MRCOG Part 1 does not have a fixed pass mark. The pass mark is set using the Modified Angoff method after each sitting, based on the difficulty of that particular paper. This means:
- →The pass mark typically falls between 60% and 70% of questions correct
- →A harder paper will have a lower pass mark; an easier paper will have a higher one
- →You cannot know the exact pass mark until after the exam
- →The safest strategy is to aim for 70%+ — well above the expected threshold
Join candidates who pass first time
1,750 MRCOG Part 1 SBA questions with performance tracking to identify and fix your weak subjects.