MRCP Part 1 Overview and Study Strategies | Membership of the Royal College of Physicians

IMGs who aim to practice clinically in the UK must obtain GMC registration.

GMC stands for The General Medical Council, the public authority that oversees medical licensing in the United Kingdom.

To register with the GMC, IMGs may choose between PLAB or MRCP.

PLAB (Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board) is designed for IMGs who wish to begin their UK medical career as early as possible.

MRCP (Membership of the Royal College of Physicians) is a postgraduate qualification recognized as demonstrating more advanced skills and competencies than PLAB.

Candidates who complete MRCP can apply for ST3+ level roles, making it suitable for IMGs who want to begin their UK career at a more advanced stage.

To complete GMC registration via the MRCP route, you must obtain the following:

English language skills registration standard (OET or IELTS)
MRCP Part 1 (written exam)
MRCP Part 2 (written exam)
MRCP PACES (clinical exam)

Before anything else, you must prove adequate English proficiency for overseas clinical practice.
This is typically done through OET or IELTS, achieving the required scores.

You may take the English test at any stage, but because MRCP requires strong reading comprehension and medical vocabulary, it is preferable to clear the English requirement first.

After that, you must pass MRCP’s written and clinical exams. Although it is a UK qualification, test centers exist worldwide.
For IMGs in Asia, nearby test centers include Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Singapore.

This article summarizes effective preparation strategies for MRCP Part 1 (written exam).

MRCP Part 1 Overview

MRCP Part 1 is a computer-based exam designed to assess core medical knowledge acquired during undergraduate medical education.

Candidates answer 100 questions in a five-option multiple-choice format, with a total test time of roughly three hours.

Eligibility requires at least one year of clinical work after graduating medical school.

A quick summary is listed below:

Name: MRCP Part 1 (Multiple Choice Questions)
Format: 5-option multiple choice
Total Questions: 200 (100 × 2 papers)
Duration: 180 minutes
Pass Rate: 50.1%
Pass Mark: 540 (approx. 124 correct answers)
Fee: £616
How to apply: Create an account at MyMRCP(UK)

Main Study Strategies for MRCP Part 1

Preparation for MRCP Part 1 typically falls into three categories:

Official sample questions
Online question banks and courses
Textbook-based study

YouTube and other platforms may have unofficial advice, but accuracy varies.
Because there is no official textbook, it is essential to use high-quality resources that closely resemble the real exam.

Below is a breakdown of each method.

1. Official Sample Questions

MRCP Part 1 does not have an official textbook, but sample questions are available online:

MRCPUK Part 1 Sample Questions

Your first step should be completing these official samples.
This helps you understand the exam structure and develop a feel for the question style.

To access the sample questions, you must register with your email address.
Use the link above to explore the official materials.

2. Online Preparation Courses

Because there is no official reference book, most IMGs prepare using reputable online question banks.

Major online MRCP Part 1 resources include:

These platforms offer extensive question banks and video lectures.

Online preparation can easily become passive, so develop clear goals and revise repeatedly.
For every incorrect question, review thoroughly until you can explain:

why the correct answer is correct, and
why each incorrect option is wrong

This level of understanding is essential for success.

3. Textbook-Based Preparation

Some candidates prefer traditional textbooks.
Commonly used references include:

However, these books are often outdated
(“1” published in 2005, “2” in 2017, “3” in 2019).

Online question banks should be your primary study method, while textbooks should serve only as supplementary material.

If you are concerned about English reading fluency, begin with OET preparation to build the necessary foundation.
Without adequate English comprehension, MRCP preparation becomes extremely difficult.

Summary

MRCP Part 1 is a 5-option multiple-choice exam that assesses core medical knowledge.
To succeed, you need:

Solid medical knowledge
Strong medical vocabulary in English

Ultimately, accurate reading and precise interpretation of clinical terms are the key determinants of success.
These skills take time to develop—especially for topics outside your specialty—so create a long-term plan that allows gradual, consistent exposure to medical content.

Thank you for reading. If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch anytime.

If you’re preparing for OET, consider exploring our practice resources at OET Bank.

We’re designed not just as mock tests, but as powerful review tools that make it easier to analyze weaknesses and focus on what’s needed to pass.

Explore professional learning materials and courses:
👉 https://oet-bank.com/shop/

Registration & Pathways