The Clinical Problem Solving paper tests clinical knowledge across the full breadth of medicine in 97 SBA questions. You cannot study everything equally. The highest-yield approach identifies the topics that generate the most exam questions and prioritises them.
Topic Weighting
Based on the MSRA CPS blueprint and candidate reports, the approximate weighting by specialty is medicine and clinical pharmacology (approximately 30-35%), surgery (approximately 10-12%), women's health (approximately 10-12%), paediatrics (approximately 8-10%), psychiatry (approximately 8-10%), clinical sciences and investigations (approximately 10%), and pharmacology/therapeutics (approximately 8-10%).
The 15 Highest-Yield Topics
1. Cardiovascular management. Hypertension algorithm, ACS management (STEMI vs NSTEMI), heart failure four pillars, AF anticoagulation (CHA2DS2-VASc), DVT/PE diagnosis and treatment.
2. Respiratory. Asthma step-wise, COPD management, pneumonia antibiotics (CURB-65), PE investigation pathway, oxygen prescribing.
3. Diabetes. Type 2 treatment algorithm, HbA1c targets, DKA management, hypoglycaemia treatment, insulin initiation.
4. Prescribing safety. Drug interactions, renal dosing, hepatic impairment, drugs in pregnancy, monitoring requirements (lithium, methotrexate, warfarin, DMARDs).
5. Acute kidney injury. KDIGO staging, causes, initial management, nephrotoxic drug review, when to refer.
6. Sepsis. NEWS2, Sepsis Six, antibiotic timing, fluid resuscitation, lactate monitoring.
7. Gastroenterology. IBD management (5-ASAs, steroids, biologics), upper GI bleeding (Rockall/Glasgow-Blatchford), liver disease, coeliac diagnosis.
8. Neurology. Stroke (thrombolysis criteria, secondary prevention), epilepsy (drug choice by seizure type, driving rules), headache red flags.
9. Obstetric emergencies. Pre-eclampsia, ectopic pregnancy, antepartum haemorrhage, gestational diabetes, hyperemesis.
10. Psychiatry. Depression stepped care, psychosis management, bipolar treatment, risk assessment, Mental Health Act sections.
11. Paediatrics. Febrile child management (NICE traffic light), safeguarding, developmental milestones, common childhood infections.
12. Endocrine. Thyroid disease (hypo and hyper), Addison's, Cushing's, adrenal crisis, hypercalcaemia.
13. Haematology. Iron deficiency vs B12/folate, sickle cell, ITP, DIC, anticoagulant reversal.
14. Dermatology. Melanoma recognition, eczema/psoriasis management, skin infection, drug eruptions.
15. Cancer referral. NICE NG12 red flags, 2-week-wait criteria, safety-netting.
The Revision Strategy
Weeks 1-4: Cover all 15 high-yield topics systematically. Use iatroX Q-Bank daily (20-30 questions) — the adaptive algorithm starts identifying your weaknesses from day one. Use Ask iatroX to verify every management pathway against the current NICE guideline.
Weeks 5-8: Expand to lower-yield topics (MSK, renal, ENT/ophthalmology, clinical sciences). Increase Q-bank volume to 40-50 questions daily from your primary bank plus continued iatroX practice.
Weeks 9-12: Mock exams, weakness targeting, and final consolidation. Use your iatroX performance data and mock results to identify remaining gaps. Targeted revision of weak areas only — no new topics.
The Knowledge Centre provides structured guideline access for each of the 15 high-yield topics — enabling efficient, condition-by-condition review that aligns your clinical knowledge with what the CPS paper tests.