MRCP Part 1 tests broad clinical and basic science knowledge in a best-of-five format — covering the full breadth of internal medicine alongside pharmacology, basic sciences, and statistics.
Weeks 1-4: Foundation
Systematic topic coverage — one specialty per week. Start with the highest-yield: cardiology (the most heavily tested specialty), respiratory medicine, gastroenterology/hepatology, infectious diseases. Do 30-40 questions daily from your primary Q-bank (Passmedicine or Pastest). Identify weak specialties early. Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine as primary reference for quick topic review. iatroX adaptive mode (free) for daily weak-area targeting — 15-minute sessions that automatically focus on your weakest MRCP topics.
Weeks 5-8: Application
Increase to 50-60 questions daily. Focus on weak specialties identified in the foundation phase. Add pharmacology (mechanisms, interactions, adverse effects) and basic science review. Take your first practice exam at end of week 8 — this calibrates whether your study approach is working. Continue daily iatroX adaptive sessions.
Weeks 9-12: Performance
Timed blocks simulating exam conditions. Second practice exam in week 11. Target persistent weak areas — whatever your practice exams reveal as consistently below average. High-yield final review: cardiology (always), pharmacology (high-yield interactions), infectious diseases (organisms and antibiotics), statistics (finite, learnable content). Final week: light review, rest.
Resource Stack
Passmedicine or Pastest (primary paid Q-bank — proven MRCP track record). iatroX (free adaptive supplement with spaced repetition). Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine (reference). An Aid to the MRCP PACES (for later — but start familiarising with the PACES format during Part 1 preparation).