Overview and Study Strategies for MRCP Part 2 | Membership of the Royal College of Physicians

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For IMGs aiming to practise clinically in the UK, passing either PLAB or the MRCP exams is required.

PLAB stands for Professional Linguistic and Assessments Board. It is an exam pathway specifically designed for IMGs who wish to begin working in the UK as soon as possible. Upon passing PLAB, candidates are eligible to start their careers as junior doctors within the NHS.

MRCP, which stands for Membership of the Royal College of Physicians, is equivalent to the internal medicine specialist qualification exam in many countries. Successful candidates are eligible to pursue careers at a more senior clinical level.

The MRCP examination consists of the following three stages:

MRCP Part 1 (Written Examination)
MRCP Part 2 (Written Examination)
MRCP PACES (Clinical Examination)

This article focuses specifically on strategies for preparing for MRCP Part 2 (Written Examination).

For those interested in MRCP Part 1, please refer to the following article:
https://oet-bank.com/mrcp-part1-overview-and-study-strategies/

Overview of MRCP Part 2

Below is a general summary of the exam:

Exam name: MRCP Part 2 (Multiple Choice Questions)
Format: Five-option multiple-choice questions
Number of questions: 200 total (100 × 2 papers)
Exam duration: 180 minutes
Pass rate: Approximately 66%
Minimum passing score: 128 correct answers
Exam fee: £616
Registration: *1 Create a MyMRCP(UK) account

MRCP Part 2 is a computer-based examination. Candidates answer two sets of 100 questions, totaling 200 items, each with five multiple-choice options. The total testing time is three hours.

Eligibility requires passing MRCP Part 1, and it is recommended that candidates have approximately 36 months of postgraduate clinical experience.

While the reported pass rate of Part 2 (66%) is higher than that of Part 1 (about 50%), all test-takers have already passed Part 1. Therefore, the exam should not be considered “easy” despite the statistical difference.

Exam Syllabus

Let’s review the distribution of question topics for MRCP Part 2.

The left column lists medical specialties, and the right column shows the approximate number of questions out of 200:

Specialty	Approx. Questions
Cardiology	19
Endocrinology & Metabolism	19
Gastroenterology	19
Infectious Disease & General Medicine	19
Nephrology	19
Respiratory Medicine	19
Neurology	17
Therapeutics & Toxicology	18
Dermatology	9
Geriatrics	9
Haematology	9
Oncology & Pain Medicine	9
Rheumatology	9
Ophthalmology	3
Psychiatry	3
Total	200

Actual question numbers may fluctuate by approximately ±2 from these figures.

Content focuses on diagnosis, investigations, management, and prognosis. Some questions may also address adolescent medicine topics.

Most questions are clinical case-based, typically including investigation data and supporting visuals such as:

Clinical photographs
Pathology slides
Pedigrees
ECG tracings
X-ray images
CT / MRI scans
Echocardiographic images

Beyond basic factual recall, the exam assesses clinical interpretation skills and problem-solving abilities based on the simultaneous analysis of text and imaging data.

Reference:
MRCP (UK) Part 2 – A Guide for Overseas Medicine Doctors

Differences Between MRCP Part 1 and Part 2

MRCP Part 2 builds upon the same medical knowledge domains evaluated in Part 1. The syllabus itself does not fundamentally change.

However, a key difference lies in the format of assessment:

Part 1 uses purely text-based multiple-choice questions.
Part 2 integrates clinical imagery within its scenarios.

These images commonly include radiographs, pathology slides, CT scans, and MRI images. Therefore, candidates must not only know the relevant clinical content but must also demonstrate the ability to interpret diagnostic images and link visual findings to clinical questions.

Study Strategies for MRCP Part 2

Preparation methods broadly fall into three categories:

Official sample questions
Online preparation platforms
Textbooks

Although YouTube and social media sometimes offer exam advice, such information is frequently inconsistent or outdated. Because no official textbook exists for MRCP Part 2, utilizing exam-realistic question banks and platforms is critical.

1. Official Sample Questions

While there is no official textbook, sample questions are available online through MRCPUK:

MRCPUK Part 2 Sample Questions

Your first step should always be working through these official samples to familiarize yourself with question style and exam logic.

Access requires registration using an email address. Please consult the official site via the link above.

2. Online Courses

Due to the lack of an official printed guide, most candidates rely on commercial online revision platforms. The major providers include:

These platforms offer large question banks as well as video lecture content.

Online study can easily become passive. It is essential to maintain a clear purpose and repeat question practice actively.

When reviewing incorrect answers, do not focus solely on why the correct option is right. You should also articulate — in your own words — why each incorrect option is wrong. This analytical review process is extremely important for knowledge consolidation.

3. Textbooks

Some learners prefer supplementary learning from textbooks.

Commonly used MRCP titles include:

The issue with all of these books is outdated content:

Book 1: Published 2020
Book 2: Published 2019
Book 3: Published 2011

As medical practice evolves rapidly, textbooks should be treated strictly as supplemental aids, while the core of your preparation should rely on up-to-date online question banks.

Summary

MRCP Part 2 is a five-option multiple-choice written examination that builds upon Part 1 knowledge but places strong emphasis on visual interpretation of clinical images.

For IMGs, success depends not only on medical knowledge but also on strong English reading comprehension. Using quality online platforms while developing medical English comprehension skills is vital.

If you struggle with English reading speed or comprehension, consider preparing first through standardized English examinations such as IELTS or OET. Ultimately, the stronger your English proficiency is, the easier it becomes to process exam questions efficiently and accurately.

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