MRCOG is an internationally acclaimed membership examination for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. This exam consists of three parts with different levels of difficulty. Here are some of the tips that can help you with the MRCOG part 1 preparation.
What is MRCOG Qualification?
MRCOG is a membership exam for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Since 1931, the exam has offered opportunities to individuals planning to specialize in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. The exam consists of three parts: part 1, part 2, and part 3.
The part 1 exam is a written exam that evaluates your knowledge of the basic and clinical science relevant to the subject.
The part 2 exam lays emphasis on the application of the received knowledge.
Part 3 exam, also known as the OSCE exam, is a stand-alone clinical skills exam. It assesses the candidate’s practical abilities. It tests the candidate’s core skills concerning the MRCOG part 1 course and part 2 course.
Part 3 MRCOG examination is a significant part of the entire validation and assessment process. It offers a position as a UK specialist registered at the beginning, which progresses to a consultant post. Each candidate needs to clear the second and third parts of the exam to move from ST5 to ST6.
Only candidates who clear all three parts of the examination receive the MRCOG qualification.
Systematic Planning
It is one of the basic steps in MRCOG part 1 preparation. Allotting adequate time to every topic helps to understand and remember the concepts effectively. While planning, it is essential to go through every topic systematically rather than underestimating the content.
Proper Approach
Various MRCOG part 1 online courses offer all the necessary support and materials to prepare for the examination. So the two options to prepare for the exam are self-study or taking aid of professional training programs.
Organizing and Grouping the Materials
For the best results, it is necessary to organize the study materials and allot specific time slots. It helps with effective learning.
Join Group Discussions
It doesn’t matter if you choose to join an online system; it is best to partake in the group discussions. The discussions can help you maximize exposure to like-minded professionals. This practice is always helpful as it allows you to get better insights.
Find a Partner
The process of preparation for the MRCOG examination is long and tiring. So it is best to partner up so that you find yourself accountable to someone. A partner helps you stay on track and learn and revise more effectively.
Proper Revision
Once you have finished the entire MRCOG part 1 course, you must allot a lot of time and resources for revision. One of the most proven methods to crack the exam is to revise effectively. When transitioning to the final preparation period, it is best to go for short revisions and appear for various tests. The repetition of this process helps to have a better grasp of the topics. Avoiding new topics right before the exam is also recommended.
How often is the MRCOG Part 1 Held in a Year?
Candidates gain eligibility to enter the
MRCOG part 1 exam when they finish their medical degree. But according to experts, the candidates should only appear for the exam once they have gained the required knowledge in gynecology and obstetrics.
The British Isles and selected overseas centers conduct the MRCOG part 1 exam twice a year. But candidates must have their eligibility applications accepted before they can appear for the exam. This exam on applied sciences consists of two papers, each of which lasts for 2.5 hours. Each of these paper consists of single best answer type questions.
The candidates can choose to take part 1 exam at any of the designated times. But they must pass the part 1 exam to gain eligibility for the part 2 exam.
Parts of MRCOG exam
When you take up the MRCOG exam preparation, you need to be mindful that there are three parts. The three parts of the exam evaluate different aspects of the candidate.
The first part evaluates the understanding of the clinical sciences. The second test assesses the ability to apply the attained knowledge. The third test tests the ability to efficiently use the core clinical skills.
The MRCOG part 1 course plan may be the most challenging exam for achieving the MRCOG qualification for many as it requires understanding and remembering the theoretical concepts. The part 3 exam seems easier for various candidates as they gain the necessary exposure to various patients. This exposure helps them better understand a patient’s behavior and allows them to pick up the cues. It, in turn, offers them better luck at cracking the practical part 3 exam.
MRCOG Part 1 Exams
The MRCOG part 1 exam is a theoretical exam that comprises two papers. Each of these papers offers you 2 hours and 30 minutes to complete. Some of the topics covered in the exam include anatomy, genetics, pharmacology, microbiology, and many more.
Various MRCOG part 1 online courses help you get the required knowledge relevant to the subject to help crack the exam.
Each part of the exam comprises 100 questions in the single best answer format. You will have to attend both the part 1 exam papers on the same day with a one-hour break in-between. The registration for this exam opens twice yearly, in March and September, and candidates can register for the exam online.
MRCOG Part 2 Exams
The part 2 paper also comprises two written papers and offers a time limit of 3 hours for each paper. Each paper carries similar marks allotment. But, 40 percent of the marks go toward the single best answer questions and 60 percent for the extended matching questions. Each paper has 50 percent of 1 mark questions and 50 percent of 2 mark questions.
Similar to the part 1 exam, the part 2 exam is a one-day exam with an hour gap between the two papers. And a candidate can write part 2 only after clearing part 1.
MRCOG Part 3 Exams
The MRCOG exam evaluates the knowledge, skills, and competencies of the candidate. The exam consists of 14 stations held on the same day. The successful completion of the part 3 exam awards the candidates with the MRCOG qualification. The part 3 exam has 14 tasks based on the 14 modules in the syllabus.
The part 3 modules are assessed based on five different domains. They are:
- The safety of the patients
- The communication with the patients and their families
- Communication with their colleagues
- Gathering relevant information
- Applying clinical knowledge
Difficulty Level of MRCOG Exams
The different parts of the MRCOG exams have different difficulty levels.
MRCOG Part 1
The MRCOG part 1 course consists of theoretical concepts, so it takes around six months to commit the concepts to memory. This exam is relatively more straightforward than the other parts of the exams for many. But for some candidates, it is harder to recollect all the concepts during the exam.
MRCOG Part 2
The part 2 exam is challenging. In most cases, only one out of five candidates passes the exam after multiple attempts.
MRCOG Part 3
This exam becomes relatively easier for candidates once they gain practical knowledge in the field.
Overall, the MRCOG exam is challenging, and it has a low pass rate, especially in non-UK countries. But this is only due to the failure to understand the requirements of the exams.
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