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The examination date for MRCOG Part 1 has been announced, and several candidates have begun their preparation for it.

After the exam, in most cases, candidates assume they have performed well when, in fact, they miss the mark due to a few key mistakes in their preparation. Whether it’s underestimating the syllabus, cramming at the last moment, or neglecting the weak areas, such errors from your side can cost you the exam.

This blog will guide you through the most common mistakes made by candidates during their preparation for MRCOG Part 1, and how you can avoid them. To pass MRCOG Part 1, you should start by understanding the common errors made by candidates and build your study plan accordingly.

The Common Mistakes Made by Candidates During the MRCOG Part 1 Exam

• Underestimating the Syllabus

All aspiring candidates should be aware that the MRCOG syllabus is vast, encompassing basic sciences such as anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, genetics, pharmacology, and statistics, as well as their applications to Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Most candidates ignore the foundational sciences, which make up a significant portion of the exam, and focus too much on clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Not having a syllabus-first approach may weaken your preparation, leaving gaps in high-frequency topics.

• Ignoring the MRCOG Part 1 Exam Structure

While there is no exact question distribution published by the RCOG, multiple candidates have suggested a general pattern, considering their experience in the MRCOG Part 1 exam.

High Frequency Topics:

15-20 questions each

• Anatomy
• Physiology
• Endocrinology
• Pathology
• Clinical management
• Statistics
• Data interpretation

Analysing this pattern, you should understand how to distribute your study focus for the upcoming MRCOG Part 1 exam on 14 January 2026. StudyMRCOG helps you prepare with several structured courses with module-based questions, wisdom Shots, prep videos, podcasts, and guideline summaries covering GTG, NICE, and more.

• Starting the Single Best Answers (SBAs) Too Late

This is the most common mistake made by candidates, as they try to finish reading everything before attempting the questions. However, this process takes time, reducing the time to practice. Practising questions early on can help you:

• Learn how examiners phrase SBAs
• Understand the weak areas early
• Have a seamless recall of the topics as you revise

Waiting too long to practice can lead to panic, poor time management, and missed patterns in how topics are tested. Try to practice 10 questions a day by topic. You can utilise StudyMRCOG’s live interactive sessions discussing SBAs, led by a global team of 20+ RCOG-certified expert mentors.

• Failing to Time Your Practice

To familiarise yourself with the exam, it is crucial to practice questions. However, it is more crucial to time your mocks, as you have to think under pressure while taking your exam. Insights from students suggest MRCOG Part 1 has two papers with 100 questions each in one day, and you have to mark the right answers to the questions within a given time; if not, the chance of you failing the exam is high. Here’s a tip for you: try to practice 100 SBA questions every weekend within a given time, or you can assess the progress of your exam timing with regular mock exam questions, including module mocks at the end of each session and a monthly mock, which is an integral part of StudyMRCOG’s MRCOG part 1 courses.

• Using Multiple Resources

Under pressure, many candidates try to read so many textbooks, go through countless question banks, and watch several hours of videos, often confusing conflicting explanations, preventing the mastery of any single source, and creating the illusion of optimal preparation. To have real progress, you should stick to 1 or 2 core resources. With StudyMRCOG, you can prepare with exclusive revision modules featuring high-yield, exam-tested questions with detailed discussions. You will also watch live classes and recorded sessions, covering all the important topics, everything crisp and focused.

• Neglecting Weaker Topics

Many candidates ignore weak topics, such as biochemistry, statistical analysis, embryology, and a few more. However, candidates who attended the MRCOG Part 1 suggest that the exam treats every topic fairly, and avoiding these so-called low-frequency topics can cost you your qualification. However, StudyMRCOG provides a detailed understanding of essential areas such as Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Pathology, Microbiology, Pharmacology, and more, so you can review all of them before the exam.

• Cramming Everything to the Last Minute

The final days before your MRCOG Part 1 exam should be for revision and reinforcement, not for starting your preparation. Cramming everything into the last day will increase anxiety, leading to shallow recall, especially with integrated clinical questions. As mentioned above, StudyMRCOG offers an exclusive revision module that includes high-yield, exam-tested questions accompanied by detailed discussions. Additionally, the StudyMEDIC LMS 3.0 and mobile app LMS provide private study groups, recorded class sessions, and daily practice questions to enhance your learning.

What You Should Do Instead

To avoid making these mistakes:

• You should have an organised plan, which aligns with the RCOG syllabus.
• Start practising questions early and utilise them as learning tools.
• Pretend you are attending the real exam during mock tests.
• Rather than memorising the topics, try to understand them.
• Use 1 or 2 resources more effectively. The best way is to join a dedicated preparatory course.
• Try to focus on weaker areas with data, not guesswork.
• Have a smart revision plan, with spaced repetition and analytics.

How To Easily Pass MRCOG Part 1: An Efficient and Effective Way

To pass the upcoming MRCOG Part 1, which is scheduled on 14 January 2026, you can structure your study plan with the help of StudyMRCOG, which comes with special features that enhance your learning experience. StudyMRCOG’s MRCOG Part 1 courses will help you qualify on your first attempt with their unique features, like:

• Live interactive sessions led by a global team of 20+ MRCOG-qualified mentors.
• StudyMEDIC Learning Management System (LMS) is organised with module-wise topics.
• Multiple module-based questions, wisdom shots, prep videos, podcasts, and guideline summaries of GTG, NICE, and more.
• Regular mock exam questions, including Pre-Assessment, Monthly, Mega, and Exam Essential mocks.
• Daily activity questions and daily group study questions guided by mentors.
• Personalised feedback and support from the mentors for an improved learning experience.
• Exclusive revision modules, featuring high-yield exam questions with detailed discussions.
• Intensive hour Q&A sessions discussing crucial questions with mentors, giving instant feedback on queries.
• Recorded class sessions through the StudyMEDIC App and LMS.
• 24/7 web chat integration for continuous support and assistance.

MRCOG Part 1 Courses By StudyMRCOG

• MRCOG Part 1 – Ace Course: Duration of 6 months
• MRCOG Part 1 – Comprehensive Course: Duration of 4 months
• MRCOG Part 1 – Regular Course: Duration of 3 months
• MRCOG Part 1 – Exam Essential Revision: Duration of 6 weeks
• MRCOG Part 1 – Revision Course: Duration of 5 days
• MRCOG Part 1 – Crash Course: Duration of 2 days.

You will find all the details of these courses on the official website. Keep in mind that each course comes with its own unique features. You can also stay up-to-date with information on the MRCOG exams on our Instagram.

Connect with our team to get a personalised study plan.

Authored By: Muhammed Farzeen