This post is about the MRCPI exam preparation. I would like to thank Dr. Saba Ansari (MRCPI, Dip MIS, FCPS) for taking out time from her very busy schedule to write this advice. She has done this exam in recent past and has very vast work experience in Pakistan as well as in UAE.
I had been getting quite a few queries for this particular exam. In my opinion, its always best to seek and follow advice from someone who has gone through the similar process. Dr Saba has very kindly agreed to provide further help if anyone needs it. You can leave your query in comments or can directly contact on her e-mail provided at the end of this post — Thanks Rubab
MRCPI Preparation Advice
MRCPI (Obstetrics & Gynaecology)
Membership of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (MRCPI) is an internationally recognized qualification, well accepted by healthcare employers worldwide
In Ireland, passing MRCPI enables you to enter Higher Specialist Training
MRCPI is achieved through examination
All the up to date information is available on RCPI website. You must go through it when deciding to go for the exam. RCPI Ob/Gyn
Entry Requirements
- There is NO part one for MRCPI Ob/Gyn
- For MRCPI Part II Written, one must have one of the following qualifications:
- MRCPI Part I (General Medicine or Pediatrics) obtained within last six years
- MRCOG Part I (exemption from MRCOG Part I is not accepted)
- MRACOG (Australia)
- MRNZCOG (New Zealand)
- FCOG (SA)
- FCPS (O & G) (Pakistan)
- MRANZCOG
- MMed (O and G) (Malaysia) - 2008 onwards only
- Must have two years of post-registration training in recognized posts, one year each in obstetrics and gynaecology
Exam Format
There are ‘Two Parts' of the exam:
MRCPI Part II Written Click Here
- One paper
- 100 Single Best Answer questions (SBA)
- No negative marking & all questions are equally weight. So attempt ALL questions
- Three (3) hours duration
- Held twice a year
- Limited places to enroll. So keep updated with website.
MRCPI Part II OSCE/Clinical Click Here
- Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) and clinical exam with real patients
- OSCE:
- Seven (7) stations, 10 minutes each
- Clinical exam:
- One (1) Long Clinical Case, 40 minutes
- Held in three (3) locations worldwide
For further information of application process and required documents: Click Here
Changes from January 2019 Click Here
- From January 2019 the maximum number of times a candidate can sit ANY part of MRCPI examination is limited to six attempts
- A candidate has six attempts at each component of the MRCPI Ob/Gyn exams (i.e. 12 attempts in total across the written and clinical parts)
- The limited number of attempts apply to ALL exam candidates, regardless of their location (Ireland or Overseas)
- Must pass Part II exam within SIX years of first attempt
- Length of time allowed to pass each part
- Part II Written examination must be passed within six years of passing equivalent exam for MRCPI Ob/Gyn
- Part II Clinical examination must be passed within three years of passing the Part II Written exam
- At the time of writing this blog post (July 2019)
- Written exam is conducted TWO times per year at following locations
- March: Ireland, Oman, India, UAE
- August: Ireland, Oman , India
- OSCE/ clinical exam is conducted TWO times per year
- June and November: Ireland
Study Resources
- Curriculum of the exam is based on basic specialist training in O&G curriculum
- This exam is very much similar to MRCOG. The only difference is that we need to follow Irish guidelines.
- There are 43 O&G Irish guidelines available free on RCPI web page. To download: Click here
- The topics which are not covered in those guidelines are to be covered from others resources.
- Some topics to be prepared from StratOG (For further information: Click here)
- Oncology, Urinary Incontinence, Medical disorders of pregnancy
- Practice all SBAs
- TOG last 3 years: TOG Links
- Green Top guidelines: GTG Links
- Nice guidelines: NICE Links
- Scientific impact papers: SIPs Links
- RCOG Advice Papers
- Consent Advice (CA)
- Clinical Governance Advice (CG)
- Good Practice Guidance (GP)
- Best Practice Papers (BPP)
- Click here for Links
SBA Books
- SBA questions for Part 2 MRCOG — Amanda Jones
- Part 2 MRCOG SBAs — Andrew Sizer
- SBAs for MRCOG Part 2 — Brian A. Magowan
- Practice SBAs MRCOG Part II— Neelanjana Mukhopadhaya
- Mastering SBA questions for Part 2 MRCOG examination — Adel Elkady
- SBAs and EMQs for MRCOG Part 2 — Shreelatta Datta and Tahir Mahmood
- SBAs and EMQs for MRCOG II Addressing the New exam format— Janesh Gupta
Exam preparation- Practical tips & tricks
Decision--- Time management--- Study material--- Revisions-- Vacation
- MRCPI exam needs good preparation starting well before the actual exam. It demands hard work and dedication like any other international exam
Decision
- There are many good reasons to GO 4 MRCPI. This is an international qualification, standardized and well recognized world-wide. It carries weightage in securing a good job position in Gulf as well as different countries with very good salary packages are among a few to consider.
- Once you have decided, search the web page of RCPI for latest information and up to date changes if any
- Collect all information regarding the exam format and get all the study resources ready
- Select the date of exam you want to go for and mark on your calendar
- Keep an eye on the announcements for date of application submission. BE VIGILANT
- Once submitted, keep follow up of the acceptance of application and allocation of exam centre / roll number.
- Keep in touch with your friends in this regard
Time Management
- Most important/ Crucial step
- Start your preparation at least 6 months ahead of exam date
- DONOT UNDERESTIMATE the exam. Studying for ANY postgraduate exam with added responsibilities of job/family really demands good boost of moral and high motivation at all time
- Make a time table. Allocate at least 4-6 hours 5 days a week for study. TEMPO of study takes time to build up
- BE CONSISTENT
- Best is to look for a study partner- a friend nearby or online. It keeps on boosting morale and energy and you are not bored of study
Study Material
- Collect all the study material/ online subscription as mentioned above
- Familiarize yourself with soft copy format study
- This will be helpful during exam taking as written is computer based
Flash cards/ Notes
- Make flash cards or notes of the important points after first study round. This will help you in revision of the topic
- For me it was easy to carry it in form of hard copy. You can decide according to your preference
Revision
- Your aim should be 2 revisions before exam
- Start practicing SBAs from day 1
Vacations
- Arrange vacations well ahead of time
- Take at least 15 days off before exam for final revision. It would be best is if you can get one month off from your job
- Stop all study/revisions at least 24 hrs before going for exam. It helps you recollect / refresh your mind
- Try not to study any new topic in the last few days as it creates great confusion and plays with moral
In conclusion, I would like to say that this exam is worth doing to give international credibility to your career. All you need is to put your efforts in the right direction with your goal in mind.
“NEVER GIVE UP”
Thanks for your valuable time.
Dr. Saba Ansari
MRCPI (Ireland) Dip MIS (Germany)
Some important links for MRCPI exam
Can we get registered with irish medical council after passing MRCPI Ireland exam. Will we get exempted from pres ecam for medical registration
ReplyDeleteCan we enter into basic speciality training after doing MRCPI?
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