Exam structure, eligibility, dates, fees, preparation strategy and how Uterio's question bank works — answered by doctors who sat the exam.
Exam dates and fees verified against RCOG on Friday 9 October 2026. See the full exam dates and fees page.
The MRCOG Part 1 exam consists of two papers, each lasting 2.5 hours with a one-hour break between them. Each paper contains 100 Single Best Answer (SBA) questions. The exam is computer-based and taken at Pearson VUE test centres. Both papers are weighted equally in the final score, with no minimum requirement for individual papers. For more detail see our guide to the exam structure.
The exam covers 14 knowledge areas grouped into four domains:
For a detailed breakdown see our comprehensive guide.
The pass mark is set for each sitting using Ebel's method and typically falls between 60% and 70%. Pass rates have historically ranged from roughly 25% to 35% per sitting. Proper preparation changes those odds considerably: see our guide to scoring high.
Candidates are eligible once they hold a primary medical qualification; there are no further prerequisites. Part 2 must then be attempted within seven years of passing Part 1. Many candidates sit the exam during their first year of specialty training, and some earlier to demonstrate commitment during specialty applications. See our eligibility and application guide.
Marking is automated with no negative marking: each correct answer earns one mark and incorrect answers do not reduce your score, so attempt every question. The pass mark is set using Ebel's method, typically between 60% and 70%. For booking and registration see our application guide.
The MRCOG Part 1 exam is held twice a year, in January and June/July. The confirmed sittings are:
January 2027 sitting — exam on Tuesday 19 January 2027
July 2027 sitting — exam on Tuesday 13 July 2027
The 2027 fee is £589 at UK and Republic of Ireland centres; other bands are listed on our exam dates and fees page. For the full process see the application and booking guide.
Yes. Candidates intending to enter the UK Specialist Register are normally permitted up to six attempts at Part 1. Candidates not intending to enter the UK Specialist Register have no fixed attempt limit. Exceptional attempts require supporting documentation under the RCOG regulations. Once you pass Part 1, the exam-currency rules determine when you must attempt Part 2. Our preparation guide can help you refine your approach.
You must bring:
Mobile phones, smartwatches, notes and personal items are not allowed in the exam room and must be stored in a locker. Arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled start. The test centre provides everything else, including an on-screen calculator. See our application and booking guide for a full walkthrough.
Results are released roughly four weeks after the exam date. For the January 2027 sitting (exam 19 January 2027), results are scheduled for Wednesday 17 February 2027. They are published on the RCOG candidate portal. You receive an overall pass/fail result with a breakdown of your performance across the four domains, which helps target further study if needed.
Preparation typically takes 3 to 6 months of dedicated study. Doctors working full-time clinical rotas usually need a 6-month schedule; with a lighter rota, 3 to 4 months is realistic. Our 3-month preparation guide sets out a structured plan.
Focus on a small number of high-quality resources:
See the revision resources section of our comprehensive guide and try our free practice questions.
The approach that works for most candidates:
See our guide to scoring high for the detail.
Yes. Study groups help you work through difficult concepts, hear different perspectives, stay accountable and keep motivated through an intensive few months. If meeting in person is not practical, Uterio's study groups let you discuss questions online. Read more in the revision resources section.
2000+ questions with detailed explanations, built by doctors who sat the exam. Try the free practice questions first.
The application has three steps:
Our application and booking guide walks through each step with screenshots.
For the January 2027 exam the booking window runs from Tuesday 27 October 2026 to Tuesday 15 December 2026.
You can only book once your eligibility is approved and your expression of interest has been submitted. Book early: test-centre slots are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. See the booking window section of our guide for the step-by-step process.
Exam fees depend on the country of the test centre you sit in, not where you live. The RCOG fees for 2027 are:
Check the official RCOG country bandings for your centre and our exam dates and fees page for the current figures.
RCOG's policy in brief:
Read the MRCOG exam regulations and our cancellation guide.
Consider location and travel time, the dates and time slots available, the fee band the centre falls into, and the centre's facilities and ID requirements. Book early for the widest choice. See our test centre guide.
Start with our free practice questions or try the demo.
Uterio was built by O&G doctors who sat the exam and wanted the resource they did not have. Around 30% of questions in each MRCOG Part 1 sitting are recycled from previous exams, so the bank prioritises exam recalls, and every question carries an explanation that justifies the correct answer and dismisses each distractor.
Yes. Our free practice questions show the question style and explanations, and the free demo lets you run a timed test session in the real interface before you commit.
Uterio sells fixed-length access, paid once up front with no auto-renewal. The MRCOG Part 1 question bank is £25 for 1 month, £40 for 3 months, £60 for 6 months, £100 for 12 months. Every plan includes the full 2000+ question bank, detailed explanations, progress tracking, flashcards and study groups.
O&G ST1 Interview Preparation is £99 for 1 month. See the pricing page for the full comparison, or create an account to get started.
Yes. Interview Preparation is a separate product with 74 practice questions across the three ST1 interview stations, AI feedback on written and spoken answers, two full mock interviews with model answers and mark schemes, a model-answer video library, webinar recordings and a WhatsApp community.
To make women's health education better. We started with the MRCOG Part 1 question bank and ST1 interview preparation; MRCOG Part 2 resources are in development. Read more about us.
The MRCOG Part 2 question bank is in development. Join the waitlist from the homepage to receive early access. Meanwhile the MRCOG Part 1 question bank is fully available with 2000+ questions and detailed explanations.
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