The MRCOG Part 2 is a computer-based testing (CBT) examination. Candidates must pass the MRCOG Part 2 before taking MRCOG Part 3.
Computer-based test (CBT)
There are two CBT papers. Each paper counts for the same amount of marks (i.e. paper 1 counts for 50% of the mark, and paper 2 also counts for 50% of the mark). Each paper consists of two question formats:
- Single best answer questions (SBAs) – worth 40% of the total mark
- Extended matching questions (EMQs) – worth 60% of the total mark
Timetable
Paper 1
- Duration: 3 hours (180 minutes)
- Number of questions: 50 SBAs, 50 EMQs
- Time management: Candidates are responsible for their own time management. However, the RCOG recommends spending 70 minutes on the SBA questions and 110 minutes on the EMQ questions
Lunch break (approx 60 minutes)
Paper 2
- Duration: 3 hours (180 minutes)
- Number of questions: 50 SBAs, 50 EMQs
- Time management: Candidates are responsible for their own time management. However, the RCOG recommends spending 70 minutes on the SBA questions and 110 minutes on the EMQ questions
Division of marks
There is no separate pass mark for the SBA and EMQ questions. Instead, there is a combined pass mark, which is determined by standard-setting each examination.
The SBA component contributes towards 40% of the overall mark and the EMQ component contributes towards 60% of the overall mark. We therefore advise candidates to allocate approximately 40% of their time to the SBA component and approximately 60% of their time to the EMQ component.
Division of written section marks
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Standard setting
Our well-established standard setting procedure ensures that the difficulty of each examination is taken into account and is not linked to a set pass mark or rate. A different pass mark is used for each examination, depending on the difficulty of that examination. It is therefore also not possible to publish the pass mark for the written section in advance of the examination. This is a complex process, which involves assessing the questions individually for their difficulty.
The aim of standard setting is to improve the fairness and validity of the examination process, and to set levels of competence for success in the examination. The use of these methods bears no relationship whatsoever to the percentage of candidates who will succeed in the Part 2 written examination, or to any other external factors.
Question types
For more information on each of the question types, please see the pages on SBAs and EMQs.