Everyone will prepare differently for the exam but here are a few helpful tips.
- Make a commitment to the exam
There’s no point paying your exam fee and putting yourself through the stress of the exam if you aren’t committed to it. We recommend committing a minimum of 6 months to prepare for the MRCOG Part 2 exam and you need to be ready to spend almost all of your spare time revising for it. If you can commit to 12 months, even better.
- Plan your schedule
The MRCOG Part 2 examination is held twice a year. Make sure you know when applications open and close and be organized about planning your revision. Book your place early on any courses that you plan to attend. Try to arrange study leave or annual leave prior to the day of the exam. Swap your on call shifts in the run up to the exam. Make a detailed plan of what you are going to revise and when.
- Clear your schedule
Most candidates will be trying to revise for the exam whilst working in clinical practice at the same time. For UK specialist trainees, they are expected to meet all of their RCOG training matrix requirements in addition to revising, which can be challenging.
The key is to get organized. Front-load your workload at the beginning of your six month revision period and get everything done early on. Try and complete as many of the matrix requirements (work-based place assessments, reflective practice, audit etc.) as possible in the first two months of your revision period. Make a list of what you need to achieve and work through it as early as possible.
- Talk to your colleagues about how they prepared
Every candidate prepares differently. There is no single way to prepare for MRCOG Part 2. Spend some time talking to your colleagues about how they approached it and take their advice on board. They may be able to recommend online revision websites, useful resources, a suggested reading list or good revision courses or provide you with books and old copies of TOG.
- Find a study buddy
Revision can be lonely and stressful. Find someone who is revising at the same time as you – they can help you by motivating you when you feel like giving up, as well as comparing progress and knowledge. Not everyone wants to study together for hours but having a sympathetic supportive colleague can be invaluable.
- Good support
At the MRCOG admission ceremony for passing candidates, the RCOG President often thanks the “hidden support network”. In order to pass this exam, candidates will often rely heavily on friends and family for childcare, hot meals and understanding when they disappear to revise for months on end. Take whatever help you can get and remember to thank them at the end!
- Stay sane
Be prepared to have no life but try to have a life! Aim to revise on most weekends and evenings but give yourself something nice to aim for to help with motivation. Plan something fun after achieving a particular revision milestone. Book some annual leave after the exam and enjoy it!
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