As a medical student, you are probably used to exams and having to revise, but sometimes you might need a little helping hand. Whether you have already figured out which revision technique works best for you, or you’re not quite sure where to start, medical school can be taxing at times. With so much knowledge to take on board and understand, you’ll want to make sure you are taking advantage of every opportunity that can help you succeed.

The MRCP is a sequence of assessments designed to test skills, knowledge and behaviour of doctors in training, and is comprised of 3 parts. You must have passed all 3 stages before you can move on to specialist medicine training, so it’s a series of exams that you should be as prepared for as you can be.

Understanding The Mrcp Part 1

The first step in successfully passing the first part of the exam is to know what to expect. It is made of 2 papers, each lasting 3 hours. The questions are multiple choice, taking on the format of best of 5. You are eligible to sit the Part 1 exam if you have a minimum of 12 months’ postgraduate experience in medical employment.

Building on the concept that knowledge is the essential base for the practice of clinical reasoning, the exam is a way of ensuring the candidates’ level of knowledge is appropriate in diseases and their treatment. Success in the MRCP Part 1 means that you have both retained what you learnt in undergraduate training, but that you have kept up with expanding your knowledge and other developments since your graduation.

The MRCP Part 1 also aims to test your ability to interpret information and to solve clinical problems.

How To Increase Your Chances Of Passing

It has been said that the quicker you take the exam, the better your chances are of passing. If your first attempt at the exam is within 12-14 months of graduation, the pass rate is at its highest; around 70%. Waiting another year decreases the pass rate to 50%, and if you take the exam within 36-48 months of graduating the pass rate is around 40%.

Of course, there is much more to consider than just pass rates. When it comes to revision, practice makes perfect. One of the best things you can do is to practice the format of questions that are in the exam; this way, you know what to expect and you can develop your exam technique, while building on your knowledge.

Using Available Resources

There are so many different revision aids out there to help you stay on track and allow you to get the most out of your learning. While textbooks are a fantastic way to cover all the necessary topics, sometimes you can build on this and use other revision guides too. There are many different online revision guides that you can sign up to, as well as apps for your smartphone or tablet.

This allows you to revise on the go, keep track of your progress and take your revision with you wherever you go. Revising this way means that you can read over a section on the train or simply put a spare 10 minutes to good use!