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The most widely sat women's health qualification among UK GPs and GP trainees — validating clinical competence across obstetrics, gynaecology and SRH at primary care level. 120 SBAs in 3 hours across 7 syllabus modules, twice yearly at Pearson VUE. An AI-adaptive question bank by UK O&G consultants and GPs grounded in RCOG Green-Top Guidelines and NICE guidance.
120 single-best-answer items · 3 hours · computer-based at Pearson VUE centres across the UK and Ireland
Each SBA worth 2 marks · total 240 marks. Modified Angoff pass mark methodology — pass mark varies by sitting difficulty, no fixed percentage. No negative marking.
No prerequisites — any GMC-registered or Medical Council of Ireland-registered doctor with full, limited or provisional registration can sit the DRCOG. There is no formal clinical training requirement, though O&G placement experience is strongly recommended.
5 attempts maximum per RCOG regulation. Each attempt requires payment of the full fee.
Awarded by the RCOG to recognise a doctor's interest and competence in women's health at primary care level. Not a specialist qualification but increasingly expected by employers offering women's health extended roles, LARC clinics and enhanced service contracts.
2026 diets: March and October. Expression of Interest required before booking. Confirm current 2026 dates and application windows on the RCOG key dates and fees page. Results typically released approximately 6 weeks after the exam.
The DRCOG syllabus was updated in 2020 and now covers 7 modules. iatroX adaptive sequencing maps to this structure. Each module is examined across the 120 questions, with weighting roughly reflecting the relative volume of clinical work in primary care women's health.
Source: official Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) blueprint
Drawn from the RCOG Green-Top Guidelines (GTGs) — the highest-yield revision resource — and current NICE women's health guidance.
RCOG Green-Top Guidelines most frequently tested — GTG 52 (postpartum haemorrhage, appears almost every sitting), GTG 26 (operative vaginal delivery), GTG 37a/b (VTE in pregnancy), GTG 63 (antepartum haemorrhage), GTG 17/21 (ectopic pregnancy), GTG 54 (induction of labour), GTG 71 (endometriosis), GTG 25 (early pregnancy loss)
NICE women's health guidelines — NG201 (antenatal care), NG133 (hypertension in pregnancy), NG3 (diabetes in pregnancy), NG126 (ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage), NG194 (postnatal care), NG235 (intrapartum care), NG88 (heavy menstrual bleeding), NG23 (menopause)
Hypertension in pregnancy per NICE NG133 — BP targets (≤135/85 if pre-existing or PIH; ≤135/85 if pre-eclampsia per recent updates), labetalol first-line, nifedipine/methyldopa alternatives, threshold for admission, postpartum monitoring
Gestational diabetes per NICE NG3 — screening with OGTT at 24-28 weeks for those at risk, diagnostic thresholds (fasting ≥5.6 or 2-hour ≥7.8), metformin and insulin choices, postnatal review
Menopause and HRT per NICE NG23 — types of HRT (oestrogen-only vs combined, sequential vs continuous combined), breast cancer risk by type and duration, VTE risk (oral > transdermal), bone protection (combined oral contraceptive vs HRT vs SERM), GSM management
Cervical screening NHS programme — HPV primary screening replaced cytology in 2019/2020. Intervals: HPV-negative 25-49 → 3 years, 50-64 → 5 years; HPV-positive cytology-negative → 12-month recall; HPV-positive cytology-positive → colposcopy
Heavy menstrual bleeding NICE NG88 — initial assessment, when to investigate (over 45, treatment failure, structural cause suspected), TXA/mefenamic acid first-line, LNG-IUS as preferred LARC, when to refer for endometrial ablation/hysterectomy
Recurrent miscarriage and antiphospholipid syndrome — RCOG and NICE guidance, thrombophilia screening criteria, aspirin + LMWH in APS, parental karyotyping, uterine anomaly assessment
Observations from UK GP trainees and recent DRCOG candidates. Verify against current RCOG Green-Top Guidelines, NICE and FSRH guidance.
Candidate-reported observations — not official guidance.
A pragmatic phased approach used by recent GP trainees who passed the DRCOG first time.
A live item from the iatroX bank. Try it before launching a full session.
A 41-year-old woman at 32 weeks' gestation reports that fetal movements have been markedly reduced since yesterday. What is the most appropriate management?
Why iatroX is built differently for DRCOG.
Every iatroX item is tagged to a blueprint topic, so your performance dashboard mirrors the structure of the exam itself.
The engine surfaces your weakest topics first, in real time, instead of marching you through a static syllabus.
Incorrect items return at increasing intervals to interrupt the forgetting curve and lock knowledge into long-term memory.
Timed full-length simulations that mirror the official exam structure under realistic conditions.
One iatroX subscription includes the DRCOG bank plus every other premium iatroX exam bank.
Cancel anytime · 30-day money-back guarantee on annual
Any GMC-registered or Medical Council of Ireland-registered doctor with full, limited or provisional registration. There is no formal clinical training requirement, though O&G placement experience is strongly recommended for optimal preparation. The DRCOG is not a specialist qualification but recognises a doctor's interest and competence in women's health at primary care level.
Twice yearly — March and October. Expression of Interest required before booking. Confirm current 2026 dates and application windows on the RCOG key dates and fees page (rcog.org.uk/careers-and-training/exams/drcog-our-diploma-exam/drcog-key-dates-and-fees/).
120 single-best-answer questions, 3 hours, computer-based at Pearson VUE centres across the UK and Ireland. Each SBA is worth 2 marks (240 total). Modified Angoff pass mark methodology — pass mark varies by sitting difficulty.
The 2026 UK candidate fee is £556 including VAT, and the Republic of Ireland fee is £463. RCOG publishes current DRCOG booking windows, fees and results dates on its exam booking page.
Maximum 5 attempts per RCOG regulation. Plan thorough first-time preparation — most candidates who pass do so within 1-2 attempts.
DRCOG (RCOG) covers a broader women's health curriculum including obstetrics, gynaecology and SRH. DFSRH (FSRH) focuses specifically on contraception, sexual health and pregnancy choices. UKMEC is tested at greater depth in DFSRH. Many GPs hold both. DRCOG is more often the first GP diploma sat.
Yes. A single iatroX subscription (£29/month or £99/year for UK users; $29/$99 elsewhere) includes the DRCOG bank alongside DFSRH, DGM, and every other premium iatroX exam bank. No add-ons or per-exam fees.
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Reviewed by Dr Kola Tytler MBBS CertHE MBA MRCGP · Last reviewed 12 May 2026
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