How to revise for MRCP

“Its only easy if you know the answers…”

Chris Tarrant

Luckily you don’t have to put up with Chris Tarrant, and fortunately he isn’t completely right when it comes to part 1, it isn’t what you know is how you answer the questions..

List of What to do

  1. Can you sit MRCP Part 1? For the UK at least you need to be 18 months
    post qualification and have worked for 6 months in acute medicine. Overseas
    exemptions differ, the rules and regulations are in this pdf file, which
    everybody should read.
  2. Pick an exam date, ‘not too soon not too far’. 3-6 months is adequate
    time as long as your current job isn’t too busy, if it is put it off. By
    picking an exam date, paying for it, you have something to work to and,
    more importantly, a reason to get study leave.
  3. Get a syllabus. You need a framework to hang your knowledge on, there
    is no point going in blind, you need to at least know what the Royal
    College’s want you to know, again use the link to the pdf above. (An
    officialsyllabus is available to buy from the RCP., but I
    wouldn’t bother)
  4. Get a core text. You need a reference book, the internet is great, but
    you need a big book. Kumar and Clarke is mrcp.org’s favourite but Harrisons and the Oxford textbook of Medicine are equally loved. You will need this big book to turn to when you have difficulty in a particular area.
  5. There is only one other book you really need, and that is Kalra ,brand
    new or second hand; its pricey (£35 to 40) but lets you know the bare
    minimum that you need to know.
  6. Form a group. Working in groups lets people share ideas, problems, hope
    and despair. If you have colleagues in your work place then join them to
    share past-papers books or whatever. If you can’t find anyone at work then try the on-line forums, here at our forums, www.mcqs.com , or Yahoo’s mrcpbofgroup which you can apply to join. If you want your own forum just email me (address on contact us page) and I will set up a private
    forum for you.
  7. Now you nearly have all the tools, the next is practice questions. The
    only official questions available are from the RCP, these are
    expensive but you can buy them at £20 plus postage from the RCP. There are several places to get practice questions:-
    • From books: Good explanations but work out quite expensive, check out Part 1 book reviews for details. If money is
      tight then try used books on www.ebay.co.uk.
    • Online MCQ Sites. This is the most cost effective way check out our
      reviews, or check out our sponsors on the right.
    • Photocopies from friends, it may not be legal, but its how most of us
      managed it…remember this way you can never be sure who is right!
  8. Courses: Some people find these are helpful, others expensive. In the
    UK at least it is a way to get a week off work and a folder full of
    good questions and answers; how helpful you find the tutorials is down
    to your personal style. If you want to contribute a review please check out
    reviews
  9. Work through all the past-papers and questions you can get your
    hands on. It doesn’t matter if they are for the old ‘True-False’
    papers or MRCPI you should complete each question then read the
    relevant chapter in Kalra. Any points you find difficult eg the
    glomerulonephritides either consult your core text or email me!
  10. Keep at it, if you run out of questions beg, buy or steal more.
  11. Time yourself doing an exam. There is no point in doing this early on,
    this is something to practice in the final few weeks, remember now they
    have abolished negative marking (Hurrah!) you need to give every
    question
    your best shot.
  12. Contribute to this website. Leave your comments using the ‘add
    comments’ link at the footer, use the forums or email. Its only through the kindness of people buying books using the Amazon links or using our sponsors that this site is funded.