This comprehensive guide aims to help you prepare for the MRCP Part 2 exam. Passing this exam is a crucial step towards obtaining the Membership of the Royal Colleges of Physicians (MRCP) Diploma and progressing into specialised medical training. The MRCP exam consists of three distinct parts, namely MRCP(UK) Part 1, MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written, and MRCP(UK) Part 2 Clinical (PACES). In order to receive the MRCP diploma, you must pass all three of these parts.

You may well be familiar with our MRCP Part 1 revision guide - so you’ll have a good idea of how the exam settings are. However, the MRCP Part 2 is a bit more challenging, so being armed with the right information is key.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through what the MRCP Part 2 written exam entails, who must take the exam, MRCP Part 2 exam dates, and tips on how to best study for your upcoming exam. You may also want to read our MRCP PACES online revision resources guide alongside this, in order to prepare for your practical exam.

What is the MRCP Part 2?

The MRCP Part 2 exam is a challenging assessment that requires a comprehensive understanding of various medical disciplines. It consists of two 3-hour exam papers, each with 100 multiple-choice questions. Each question must be answered with a 'best of five' format. This format not only tests a candidate's core knowledge and comprehension but also evaluates their ability to interpret information and solve complex clinical problems. Both papers are completed within the day - so be sure your schedule is clear to accommodate this.

During the exam, you will be assessed on your capacity to utilise clinical knowledge, make sound clinical judgments, and assume accountability for the following tasks:

• Prioritising diagnostic or problem lists
• Formulating plans for investigations
• Choosing an appropriate approach for immediate management
• Selecting a suitable strategy for long-term management
• Evaluating the prognosis

The questions are typically presented in a clinical scenario, with many including the results of investigations and illustrated with images such as clinical photographs, pathology slides, inheritance trees, ECGs, X-rays, CT and MR scans, and echocardiograms. Candidates must demonstrate their knowledge of patient diagnosis, investigation, management, and prognosis by selecting the best answer from five possible options. While only one answer is correct, the other four options are carefully designed to be plausible distractors.

How is the MRCP Part 2 exam marked?

For each correct answer, candidates are awarded one mark, with no negative marking applied. The results of each examination are benchmarked using a process of test equating, which ensures that the pass mark is adjusted for the difficulty of the paper and the ability range of the candidates. The reliability of every examination is closely monitored to ensure that the results accurately identify those candidates who have achieved the required standard.

What are the differences between MRCP Part 1 & 2?

For many doctors seeking to obtain the Membership of the Royal Colleges of Physicians (MRCP) diploma, the Part 2 exam can seem more daunting than Part 1. While both exams are challenging in their own right, there are some key differences between them that can make MRCP Part 2 more difficult for some candidates.

The MRCP Part 2 exam covers a broader range of clinical topics than Part 1, with a focus on more complex and nuanced areas of medical practice. Candidates must demonstrate an in-depth understanding of various specialties, including cardiology, neurology, gastroenterology, and oncology, among others. This requires not only extensive knowledge but also the ability to integrate information from multiple sources and make sound clinical judgements.

What does the MRCP Part 2 exam entail?

The MRCP Part 2 exam is designed to test a candidate's clinical knowledge, reasoning, and problem-solving abilities across a broad range of medical disciplines. The 'best of five' format with illustrated scenarios and images provides a challenging yet realistic simulation of the clinical decision-making process. The careful design of the distractors and the use of test equating ensures that the results of the exam are both reliable and accurate.

The exam's content is based on a blueprint that outlines the papers' composition, including the probable number of questions under each broad clinical topic heading. The blueprint was updated in 2020 to reflect the new terminology used in the new UK Internal Medicine curriculum.

The composition of the papers is as follows:

*This should be taken as an indication of the likely number of questions – the actual number may vary by up to 2%.

A proportion of the questions will be on adolescent medicine.

MRCP Part 2 written exam dates and fees

The MRCP Part 2 exam can be taken during four different periods each year, which are typically scheduled for February, June, September, and December. UK students are charged an application fee of £460, while international students must pay £616. To apply for the exam, you can visit the MRCP(UK) website.

Exam fees for the 2025 academic year are £489 and £655 for UK and international students respectively.

Below are the exam dates, application periods, and result release dates for 2024-2025:

What score do you need to pass MRCP Part 2?

To successfully pass MRCP Part 2, you must obtain a score of at least 454. Your exam results will be determined through the process of equating, which involves a statistical approach to ensure that candidates are evaluated fairly and receive a comparable score based on their performance across different sections of the MRCP exams.

What constitutes a good score in MRCP Part 2?

Obtaining a minimum of 121 correct answers out of the 200 questions is required to achieve the pass mark of 454. However, due to the equating process used in marking, merely reaching this number may not guarantee a pass. Therefore, it's advisable to aim for an overall score between 475 and 575.

To achieve a good score on the MRCP Part 2 exam, effective preparation is crucial. Familiarising yourself with the types of questions that will be presented and practising with sample questions can help you understand the underlying concepts and improve your chances of selecting the correct answers.

MRCP Part 2 exam results and attempts

Results will be posted online approximately 1-2 months after the exam. You can find the release dates on the Royal College of Physicians website to get an idea of when you'll receive your results.

As stated previously, the pass mark for the MRCP Part 2 Written exam is 454, with most candidates scoring between 200-800. The minimum score is 0, and the maximum is 999. This score is scaled based on the number of correct answers, question difficulty, and overall exam performance.

It’s important to note that all MRCP diploma components must be finished within 7 years of passing the MRCP Part 1 exam.  Candidates have up to 6 attempts to pass the exam. If unsuccessful after 6 attempts, additional training and evidence will be required before further attempts can be granted.

How can Pastest help you pass the MRCP Part 2?

Passing the MRCP Part 2 exam is a significant milestone in the career of any physician. However, preparing for the exam can be a daunting task, especially when you have limited time and resources. Fortunately, the Pastest MRCP 2 resource has got you covered with its comprehensive online revision tool designed to help you pass the MRCP Part 2 exam.

Here are some ways in which Pastest can help you prepare for and pass the MRCP Part 2 exam:

• Largest MRCP Part 2 Question Bank: With over 4,700 MRCP Part 2 questions, Pastest offers the largest question bank on the market. Practise for the exam and improve your knowledge with a range of questions that are regularly updated to reflect current exam trends.
• MRCP Part 2 Past Papers: Simulate the most recent MRCP Part 2 exams with sample papers compiled using expert knowledge. This feature helps you to familiarize yourself with the exam format and build confidence.
• Expanded Explanations: Access everything you need to know about the topic tested in the question vignette. Each Expanded Explanation contains sub-sections so that you can quickly navigate to the information you need.
• Microlearning: a comprehensive, searchable library of Media, Expanded Explanations (written topic summaries) and Flashcards, designed to strengthen your knowledge on hot topics that commonly appear in the MRCP Part 2 exam.
• Detailed, Dynamic Explanations: Make your revision session super-efficient by instantly displaying the information you need to know. This feature saves you time and enables you to focus on the areas that need improvement.
• Data and Image Interpretation Questions: The MRCP Part 2 exam has a lot of images - and so does Pastest! Filter your Qbank session by media content to focus your revision.
• Contextual Clues: Highlight the key information in a question vignette and improve your question analysis skills. This feature helps you to identify critical information quickly and make informed decisions.
• Videos and Podcasts: Strengthen your skills on different exam specialties with a variety of MRCP Part 2 media. These resources provide an additional way to learn and revise exam content.
• More Questions Like This: If a question flags a gap in your knowledge, quickly test yourself by attempting some similar questions before jumping back into your session.
• Extensive Question Filters: Create bespoke MRCP Part 2 revision sessions with filters for specialty, difficulty, and more. This feature enables you to focus on the areas that need improvement and optimise your revision time.

How difficult is MRCP Part 2?

The MRCP Part 2 exam is significantly harder than the MRCP Part 1, because it assesses clinical knowledge and understanding through a wider range of medical topics, including disease diagnosis, management, and treatment. In the exam, candidates must also demonstrate proficiency in interpreting clinical data, such as imaging and lab results. With both written and practical components, success in this exam requires not only theoretical knowledge but also the ability to apply it under exam conditions.

How to prepare for the MRCP Part 2

While everyone has their own way of studying, the bottom line is that you must plan your approach in order to increase your chances of passing the written exam. Each person's method of preparation is distinct, and there isn't a one-size-fits-all approach. However, we trust that the following tips will assist you in crafting an effective study strategy.

Alongside our large MRCP Part 2 exam question bank - designed to reflect the patterns of previous exams -  Here are some practical ways you can enhance your study routine:

• Start your exam preparation as early as possible to account for any unexpected challenges and to manage the extensive material effectively.
• Develop a structured study timetable with specific goals and milestones.
• Adopt a comprehensive revision strategy that includes a wide range of specialties as previously mentioned.
• Make practice questions a focal point of your study, concentrating on scenarios similar to those found in past exams.
• Carefully review explanations to rectify any misconceptions and deepen your understanding.
• Use a variety of study resources such as written, visual and auditory material. Try to steer clear of relying on a single format, and think about integrating a balanced electronic or print reference book to effectively compile your exam study notes.
• Recreate the exam environment during your study sessions, by taking timed mock exams to improve your pacing and build confidence.
• Look for reputable resources, such as those provided by the Royal College of Physicians, for high-quality sample questions that can serve as additional mock exams.
• Participate in study groups or use flashcards (the Anki app is useful for this!) to diversify your revision methods, encourage discussions, and quickly test your knowledge of key concepts.
• Ensure you take regular study breaks and prioritise your well-being!

MRCP Part 2 study retention advice

Taking the MRCP Part 2 exam requires a delicate balance that can seem overwhelming. It’s likely you’ll be juggling on-calls, night shifts and your medical portfolio. When you add studying to the mix, it can feel like an impossible task to keep up with.

To reinforce your knowledge and strengthen those neural connections, it's important to find ways to study regularly instead of cramming in sporadic marathon sessions. Consider committing to studying before work or as soon as you return home to make it a consistent part of your routine.

Remember, it's crucial to know your limits. Simply putting in more hours doesn't guarantee success. Avoid studying when you're too tired to focus, as it won't help you retain information! Instead, focus on quality studying sessions that will truly benefit your preparation for the exam.

Need more advice? Check out our blog, or contact us for more information. Alongside MRCP Part 2 study prep, we also provide resources to help you pass the MRCP PACES exam!