DRCOG: question practice and revision.

Choose a topic for focused revision and check your plan against the official specification.

• Module 1: Fertility regulation and sexual health assessment
• Module 2: Pregnancy (antenatal, intrapartum, postnatal)
• Module 3: Gynaecology (benign, urogynaecology, menstrual disorders)
• Module 4: Subfertility and assisted reproduction
• Module 5: Sexually transmitted infections and sexual health
• Module 6: Gynaecological oncology and pre-malignant disease
• Module 7: Other (medical, ethical, legal, communication, statistics)
• Menopause and HRT (NICE NG23) — cross-module
• Adolescent gynaecology and safeguarding — cross-module
• Early pregnancy loss and ectopic pregnancy (NICE NG126)
• Emergency O&G presentations (PPH, eclampsia, ectopic, sepsis)

Mapped to the seven published DRCOG syllabus modules and their assessment weighting.

• 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.

1. Green-Top Guideline currency — GTGs update regularly. Older revision materials may teach superseded guidance. Always check the current version (date stamps on every GTG). GTG 52 (PPH) and GTG 71 (endometriosis) have been updated relatively recently.
2. NICE NG201 (antenatal care 2021) vs older CG62 — antenatal screening pathways, downs screening, GBS screening shifts. Outdated revision banks teach pre-NG201 schedules.
3. Intrapartum care NG235 (replaced CG190 in 2023) — induction indications, BMI thresholds for IOL, post-dates IOL timing have shifted. Many older banks lag.
4. Hypertension in pregnancy NG133 — BP threshold definitions (mild 140-149/90-99, moderate 150-159/100-109, severe ≥160/110), aspirin from 12 weeks for those at risk of pre-eclampsia (≥1 high or ≥2 moderate risk factors). Frequently muddled.
5. Postnatal care NG194 — VTE prophylaxis postnatally (LMWH duration in caesarean vs vaginal delivery), threshold for outpatient management of mild postpartum pre-eclampsia.
6. Menopause and HRT — NG23 updated 2024 with new evidence on transdermal preference, oestrogen-only after hysterectomy, breast cancer risk recalibration. Recent.
7. Maximum 5 attempts — failure to plan revision can exhaust attempts. Most candidates who pass do so within 1-2 attempts. Plan thorough first-time preparation rather than relying on resits.
8. Modified Angoff pass mark — no fixed percentage. Aim to demonstrate competence across all 7 modules rather than achieving a target raw score. Topic-balanced revision matters.

A pragmatic phased approach used by recent GP trainees who passed the DRCOG first time.

1. Weeks 1–4

   Foundation pass across all 7 modules. 30 questions/day with the iatroX adaptive engine. Read the RCOG Green-Top Guidelines paired to weak topics. Daily Pregnancy block focus (Module 2 is the largest).

2. Weeks 5–8

   Targeted weak-area drilling. Map current NICE women's health guidelines (NG201 antenatal, NG194 postnatal, NG235 intrapartum, NG88 HMB, NG23 menopause). Daily cervical screening pathway and HRT counselling practice.

3. Weeks 9–10

   Two timed 120-SBA mock papers under exam conditions per week. Review every incorrect answer in detail with Green-Top Guideline verification. Practise the 90-second-per-question pace.

4. Weeks 11–12

   Bookmark review only. Targeted reading on emergency O&G presentations (PPH, eclampsia, ectopic), recent GTG updates. Confirm Pearson VUE booking. Sleep, hydrate, do not learn new material.

Dedicated DRCOG question practice with answer explanations, guided Tutor review and study planning.

• Focused question practice — Choose the relevant bank and use your answers to identify what to study next.
• Guided reasoning — Explore a difficult answer with Tutor, then apply the distinction independently.
• Review and timed practice — Return to important mistakes and choose a timed practice set where available.

Choose the relevant bank and use the official exam guidance to plan your preparation.

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.

Full DRCOG bank access is included in all-access. Up to 10 new sample questions per day are shared across exams, with no account required. A verified free account includes one guided Tutor session; continued Tutor use is included in all-access.