The Part 2 MRCOG exam entry requirements

Candidates who have completed the requirements for entry to the Part 2 exam should:

  • Have held for not less than 4 years a medical qualification recognised by the General Medical Council under Section 19 of the Medical Act 1983; and
  • Have for not less than 3 years had their names, or been entitled to have their names, entered as fully registered medical practitioners in the Register maintained by the General Medical Council.

Council may waive this provision for candidates whose degrees do not qualify them for entry on the above Register.

Candidates must attempt the Part 2 exam on at least one occasion within 7 years of passing the Part 1 exam. Those candidates failing to comply with this regulation will be required to pass the Part 1 exam again.

Post-registration training

There are two routes to approval of training for entry into the Part 2 MRCOG exam. Route A is exclusively for trainees in the recognised UK specialist training programme. Route B is for all other trainees.

Route A

Trainees in the recognised UK specialist training programme must be in intermediate training to be eligible to sit the Part 2 MRCOG examination. Consequently, trainees must be at ST3 level or above at the date of application for the Assessment of Training.

Trainees are required to complete an Application for Assessment of Training form, including ticking Route A and providing their National Training Number. Candidates are not required to submit any supporting documentation; should the College require any additional information candidates will be contacted via email after receipt of their application.

Route B

Trainees not in the recognised UK specialist training programme should demonstrate that they have spent a minimum of 4 years in obstetrics and gynaecology full-time or equivalent post-registration posts in the UK or overseas before being eligible to sit the Part 2 MRCOG exam. This must include at least 2 years (full-time or equivalent) in the specialty within the 4 years preceding a candidate’s initial application.

All posts overseas, if hospital-based in obstetrics and gynaecology, are now generally accepted. Under route B suitable training carried out before successful attainment of the Part 1 MRCOG can be counted towards the requirement (in this context, registration refers to registration as a doctor, not with the College).

Regulations for Route B training applications

  • A minimum of 6 consecutive months in any single post is required
  • Training must be completed at the date of application for the Assessment of Training
  • Flexible training in recognised posts is permitted provided approval of the College is obtained in advance

Candidates seeking special permission to attempt the exam despite not having fulfilled the requirements regarding registration or training should complete an application as early as possible, enclosing a covering letter to the Examination and Assessment Committee outlining their special circumstances/reasons for non-standard application; candidates will be advised of the Committee’s decision

Format of the Part 2 MRCOG exam

The Part 2 written exam is held in the British Isles and at selected overseas centres twice each yea. The exam, which is in English, comprises two papers consisting of single best answer questions (SBAs) and extended matching (EMQ) questions.

Method of application

All candidates for the Part 2 exam must apply on the prescribed form for an assessment of their post-registration training and their eligibility to register for the exam.

Each application must be accompanied by: certificates (preferably attested) confirming the nature, grade and dates of the appointments held from graduation/internship onwards. Please note that certificates must be on hospital headed paper signed by the Consultant-in-charge or Chairman of the Division. Candidates failing to provide the appropriate certificates will have their application returned. Original certificates will not be accepted. The College cannot guarantee the return of original certificates to applicants. If applicants wish to keep their certificates, attested copies must be submitted.

On receiving notification of acceptance of eligibility or on applying for re-examination, the candidate shall, as directed, submit the correct entry fee, in pounds sterling.

Assessment of Training form

You can download an Assessment of Training (AoT) form.

Before applying for the Part 2 MRCOG exam, all candidates must apply to have their training assessed to confirm their eligibility to register for the exam.

Candidates can only apply to have their training assessed after passing the Part 1 MRCOG exam.

Deadlines

  • January 2018 exam
    The closing date to submit your AoT form has now passed.

  • July 2018 exam
    The closing date to submit your AoT form is Thursday 1 March 2018.

  • January 2019 exam
    The closing date to submit your AoT form is Thursday 2 August 2018.

MRCOG 2 exam format

This page provides information about the format of the Part 2 MRCOG exam, including number of papers and question types.

The Part 2 MRCOG consists of a written examination. Candidates must pass the Part 2 MRCOG before taking Part 3 MRCOG.

Written exam

There are two written papers. Each paper counts for the same amount of marks (i.e. paper 1 counts for 50% of the mark, and paper 2 also counts for 50% of the mark). Each paper consists of two question formats:

  • Single best answer questions (SBAs) – worth 40% of the total mark
  • Extended matching questions (EMQs) – worth 60% of the total mark

Timetable

Paper 1

  • Duration: 3 hours (180 minutes)
  • Number of questions: 50 SBAs, 50 EMQs
  • Time management: Candidates are responsible for their own time management. However, the RCOG recommends spending 70 minutes on the SBA questions and 110 minutes on the EMQ questions

Lunch break (approx 60 minutes)

Paper 2

  • Duration: 3 hours (180 minutes)
  • Number of questions: 50 SBAs, 50 EMQs
  • Time management: Candidates are responsible for their own time management. However, the RCOG recommends spending 70 minutes on the SBA questions and 110 minutes on the EMQ questions

Question types

For more information on each of the question types, please see the pages on SBAs and EMQs.

Contact us

For more information, or if you have any questions, please or call +44 20 7772 6210.

MRCOG 2 exam dates

Exam dates

  • 5 September 2017
  • 30 January 2018
  • 3 July 2018

Applications

September 2017 exam

Applications open from Thursday 20 April 2017.

Applications close at 4.00pm Friday 30 June 2017.
January 2018 exam

Applications open from Thursday 24 August 2017.

Applications close at 4.00pm Thursday 12 October 2017.
July 2018 exam

Applications open from Thursday 18 January 2018.

Applications close at 4.00pm Thursday 19 April 2018.

Fees

London, UK Centre: £432
International, Overseas Centre: £360
Assessment of Training Application: No fee

Venues

  • Exam centres: London, Manchester, Glasgow, Belfast
  • Provisional exam centres: Bangladesh (Dhaka), Egypt, Hong Kong, India* (Kolkata & Mumbai, Bangalore & Delhi), Iraq (Basrah), Jordan, Malaysia, Pakistan (Karachi), Myanmar (Yangon), Oman, Pakistan (Lahore), Saudi Arabia (Riyadh), Singapore, Sri Lanka, Sudan, UAE (Abu Dhabi & Dubai), West Indies (Jamaica & Trinidad)

Important notes

  • *Candidates wishing to sit the exam in India must indicate which centre on their entry form.
  • Candidates will be able to select their preferred exam centre at the time of booking. Please note – not all centres will be running for each exam date.
  • Candidates applying online may do so until 4.00pm UK time on the closing date. Candidates applying by post must submit their complete application before the closing date, application envelopes post-marked on or after the closing date will not be accepted.

Contact us

If you have any questions then don’t hesitate to contact us at or call +44 20 7772 6210

MRCOG part 2 regulations

General information

Medical practitioners who intend to train for the MRCOG exam are encouraged to inform the College in writing as soon as possible. This will help both the trainee and the College. Advice on training programmes can be obtained by candidates from the consultants with whom they are working, from the Deanery College Adviser in their region, College Tutors, the Careers Adviser at the College or from the Representative Committees overseas. The contact details may be obtained from the . All trainees are encouraged to join the Trainees’ Register.

Success in the Membership exam and subsequent admission to Membership does not imply the attainment of specialist or consultant status. A further period of supervised training is required for this purpose.

Fees

All fees relating to exams and Membership subscriptions are reviewed annually.

There is no fee for application of assessment of training; you will be informed of the Part 2 exam fee upon successfully completing this.

Regulations for Membership

Candidates for Membership are required:

  • To comply with the Regulations relating to medical registration.
  • To undertake the periods of training set out in the Regulations.
  • To pass the Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 exams.
  • To fulfil the requirements of the Regulations in relation to declaration of conduct, admission by the President in Council and payment of the prescribed fees.

Candidates must confirm that they are not currently suspended or removed from medical practice by any authorising body or involved in disciplinary proceedings related to medical practice in any country.

Candidates infringing the regulations will be deemed unsuitable for Membership of the College.

Council may refuse to allow a candidate to attempt either part of the MRCOG exam or to become a Member of the College. Under such circumstances the candidate will be advised of the appeals procedure.

The Part 2 MRCOG exam

Candidates who have completed the requirements for entry to the Part 2 exam should:

  • Have held for not less than 4 years a medical qualification recognised by the General Medical Council under Section 19 of the Medical Act 1983; and
  • Have for not less than 3 years had their names, or been entitled to have their names, entered as fully registered medical practitioners in the Register maintained by the General Medical Council.

Council may waive this provision for candidates whose degrees do not qualify them for entry on the above Register.

Candidates must attempt the Part 2 exam on at least one occasion within 7 years of passing the Part 1 exam. Those candidates failing to comply with this regulation will be required to pass the Part 1 exam again.

Post-registration training

There are two routes to approval of training for entry into the Part 2 MRCOG exam. Route A is exclusively for trainees in the recognised UK specialist training programme. Route B is for all other trainees.

Route A

Trainees in the recognised UK specialist training programme must be in intermediate training to be eligible to sit the Part 2 MRCOG examination. Consequently, trainees must be at ST3 level or above at the date of application for the Assessment of Training.

Trainees are required to complete an Application for Assessment of Training form, including ticking Route A and providing their National Training Number. Candidates are not required to submit any supporting documentation; should the College require any additional information candidates will be contacted via email after receipt of their application.

Route B

Trainees not in the recognised UK specialist training programme should demonstrate that they have spent a minimum of 4 years in obstetrics and gynaecology full-time or equivalent post-registration posts in the UK or overseas before being eligible to sit the Part 2 MRCOG exam. This must include at least 2 years (full-time or equivalent) in the specialty within the 4 years preceding a candidate’s initial application.

All posts overseas, if hospital-based in obstetrics and gynaecology, are now generally accepted. Under route B suitable training carried out before successful attainment of the Part 1 MRCOG can be counted towards the requirement (in this context, registration refers to registration as a doctor, not with the College).

Regulations for Route B training applications

  • A minimum of 6 consecutive months in any single post is required
  • Training must be completed at the date of application for the Assessment of Training
  • Flexible training in recognised posts is permitted provided approval of the College is obtained in advance

Candidates seeking special permission to attempt the exam despite not having fulfilled the requirements regarding registration or training should apply on the prescribed form to the Examination and Assessment Committee as early as possible, enclosing a covering letter outlining their special circumstances/reasons for non-standard application; candidates will be advised of the Committee’s decision

Format of the Part 2 MRCOG exam

The Part 2 written exam is held in the British Isles and at selected overseas centres in March and September. The exam, which is in English, comprises two papers consisting of single best answer questions (SBAs) and extended matching (EMQ) questions.

Method of application

All candidates for the Part 2 exam must apply on the prescribed form for an assessment of their post-registration training and their eligibility to register for the exam.

Each application must be accompanied by: certificates (preferably attested) confirming the nature, grade and dates of the appointments held from graduation/internship onwards. Please note that certificates must be on hospital headed paper signed by the Consultant-in-charge or Chairman of the Division. Candidates failing to provide the appropriate certificates will have their application returned. Original certificates will not be accepted. The College cannot guarantee the return of original certificates to applicants. If applicants wish to keep their certificates, attested copies must be submitted.

On receiving notification of acceptance of eligibility or on applying for re-examination, the candidate shall, as directed, submit the correct entry fee, in pounds sterling.

General rules to be observed by all candidates for the Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 MRCOG exams

  • By applying to sit the Part 1, Part 2 or Part 3 MRCOG exam, the candidate agrees to all the terms of the Membership exam regulations and to the transfer of all copyright subsisting in exam material produced by the candidate to the College.
  • All candidates will be issued with a six-digit personal College number. This number must be quoted in all correspondence.
  • Late entries are not accepted. No amendments may be made after the closing date for receipt of applications. Any requests for special arrangements during the examination must be submitted before the closing date for applications.
  • Candidates who withdraw their applications for a particular examination after the closing date, or who fail to appear, shall forfeit the examination fee. Attendance at any part of an examination will count as an attempt.
  • The College will accept copies of certificates attested by the British Embassy, British High Commission, British Consulate, British Council, university issuing the medical degree certificate, the candidate’s own Embassy, or by a Fellow or Member of this College. Certificates not in English must be accompanied by an attested English translation. Candidates may submit medical registration certificates in lieu of degree certificates only if the degree and university are clearly stated.
  • Cheques or banker’s drafts in pounds sterling should be made payable to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Do not send cash. The College incurs unnecessary bank charges due to cheques or drafts being returned by the bank on which they are drawn. In order to minimise this cost the College will add a surcharge of £5.00 to the cost of the exam, where a payment is returned unpaid.
  • Late attendance at any stage of an exam may result in failure of the entire exam.
  • Candidates must bring evidence of identification, which includes their name and photograph, to all sections of the Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 Membership exams for scrutiny by the invigilators and examiners. Candidates who fail to produce satisfactory identification at the beginning of any section of the exam will normally be refused entry to that exam. For reasons of medical security, all candidates for exams must ensure that they can be easily identified in accordance with their photographic identification. In addition, for ease of identification, candidates must ensure that their clothing is not worn in such a way that it obscures the face.
  • Question papers, answer sheets and exam materials remain the property of the College at all times.
  • Council may refuse to allow a candidate to attempt either part of the MRCOG exam or to become a Member of the College. Under such circumstances the candidate will be advised of the appeals procedure.
  • Once you have successfully completed your exam, the details of your award from the College, including date, are regarded as ‘public’ information. For candidates in the UK specialty training programme, results will be made available to LETBs/deaneries as well as the GMC. They may also be released to bona fide third-party enquirers (for example, other educational bodies or prospective employers). No information is supplied via the telephone.
  • Any issue regarding a candidate’s probity will be passed on to the relevant Postgraduate Deanery, where applicable.
  • Candidates in UK-based training are not permitted more than 6 attempts at the Part 2 MRCOG. Should a candidate in UK-based training wish to apply for the Part 2 MRCOG having failed on 6 or more previous occasions, supporting documentation must be provided by his/her Head of School outlining the exceptional reasons for permitting a further attempt at the exam.

Contact RCOG

For more information, or if you have any questions, please or call +44 20 7772 6210.