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Last-2-Weeks Strategy for Gastroenterology (MRCP Part 1)

TL;DR

This last-2-weeks strategy for gastroenterology (MRCP Part 1) gives a focused roadmap for your final revision stage: zero in on hepatology, IBD, peptic ulcer disease, acid-base and fluid disorders, and avoid diffuse reading. You should be drilling timed MCQs, doing two full mocks and analysing errors logically to enter the exam with conviction.


Why this matters

With just two weeks remaining before the MRCP Part 1 exam your preparation must shift from broad learning to precision revision. Gastroenterology and hepatology feature consistently in the internal medicine papers and often reward candidates who have built pattern recognition and exam-ready recall rather than starting new topics from scratch. By deploying a high-yield final plan you maximise your score potential and avoid last-minute wasted effort. At Crack Medicine we support your final sprint with targeted questions, analytics and lecture-support tailored to these systems.


Scope in Gastroenterology: What you can expect

The exam format for MRCP Part 1 consists of two papers each lasting three hours, each with 100 “best of five” multiple-choice questions (200 total). thefederation.uk+2BDI Resourcing+2Gastroenterology & hepatology typically contribute around 12–14% of the questions in the syllabus. StudyMRCP+1In your last two weeks you should concentrate on:

  • Liver function test (LFT) patterns and interpretation

  • Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) including extra-intestinal features

  • Peptic ulcer disease + Helicobacter pylori management

  • Pancreatitis and biliary disease (acute/chronic)

  • Acid-base, fluid, electrolyte and GI bleeding disorders


High-Yield Topics & Quick Tips

Here are eight essential topic areas with practical study tips:

  1. Liver function test interpretation: Memorise AST/ALT vs ALP vs GGT patterns and think “cholestatic vs hepatocellular vs mixed”.

  2. Autoimmune and viral hepatitis: Don’t memorize all viral genotypes; focus on when to test, first-line therapy and prognostic markers.

  3. IBD – Crohn’s vs Ulcerative Colitis: Emphasise extra-intestinal manifestations (uveitis, PSC, arthropathy) and drug-toxicities.

  4. Peptic ulcer disease & H. pylori: Examine eradication regimens, complications (bleeding, perforation), risk factors (NSAIDs, steroids). Medscape+1

  5. Pancreatitis (acute & chronic): Know Ranson’s criteria, when to CT, management of complications like pseudocyst.

  6. Biliary disease and cholangitis: Recognise Charcot’s triad, Reynolds’ pentad, antibiotic + ERCP indications. Also review PSC guidelines. bsg.org.uk

  7. GI bleeding & varices: Understand risk stratification, resuscitation priorities, endoscopy timing. bjaed.org

  8. Acid-base, fluid and electrolyte disorders in GI: Master metabolic alkalosis in vomiting, metabolic acidosis in diarrhoea, hyponatraemia in cirrhosis.


Two-Week Tactical Plan

Day

Focus topic

Key activity

Day 1

Hepatology – LFTs, viral & autoimmune hepatitis

50 MCQs + review errors

Day 2

Biliary & pancreatic – gallstones, cholangitis, pancreatitis

Topic-summary sheet + 40 MCQs

Day 3

IBD & malabsorption

Flashcards on extra-intestinal features + 50 MCQs

Day 4

Peptic ulcer & H. pylori

Practice clinical scenario questions + guideline review

Day 5

GI bleeding & varices

Timed MCQ block + core guideline reading

Day 6

Acid-base & fluid/electrolyte disorders

Focus on equations, compensation patterns + 40 MCQs

Day 7

Full timed mock paper (2.5–3 h)

Review every incorrect answer and tag for weak topics

Day 8

Consolidation of weak topics flagged Day 1–6

Targeted revision + 30 MCQs each weak topic

Day 9

Mixed gastro set + Qbank topics

Use your chosen system (e.g. the Free MRCP MCQs)

Day 10

Second full timed mock paper

Similar review process

Day 11

Rapid recall – high-yield facts only (mnemonics, tables)

Use whiteboard revision

Day 12

Review third weak area + 30 MCQs

Short lecture on that weak area

Day 13

Final flash-review sheet: scoring systems, LFT tables, IBD drugs

Light MCQs + mental rehearsal

Day 14

Rest, light revision of summary sheet only

Sleep early, minimal new learning





Two-week MRCP Part 1 Gastroenterology revision planner with stethoscope and notes on a desk.

How to Use a QBank & Mock Tests Effectively

  • Timed practice: Run each mock under exam conditions (3 h, 100 questions) so your pacing is calibrated.

  • Error review: After each session review all incorrect answers, annotate whether they were due to “conceptual gap”, “careless error” or “guessing”.

  • Spaced repetition: Revisit flagged questions later rather than simply moving on—this consolidates recall.

  • Performance analytics: Use your system’s analytics to identify weakest sub-topics (e.g., hepatology LFTs) and focus revision accordingly. At Crack Medicine our platform offers subject-wise accuracy, monthly new mock tests and detailed breakdowns.

  • Integration with lectures: After a weak area is flagged in the QBank, revisit a concise 20-minute lecture summarising that topic—ideal for the lectures section of your revision plan.


Practical Example — Mini-Case

Question: A 55-year-old man presents with epigastric pain radiating to the back, serum amylase is elevated at 950 U/L. Which of the following is a predictor of severe acute pancreatitis? A. Serum calcium 2.4 mmol/LB. Age 30 yearsC. WBC 17×10^9/LD. LDH 400 U/L

Answer: D. LDH >350 U/L is one of Ranson’s criteria for severe pancreatitis. Such questions test pattern recognition and prognostic scoring rather than raw recall of obscure data.


Common Pitfalls & Fixes

  • Pitfall: Revising entire hepatology textbooks instead of high-yield patterns. Fix: Focus only on exam-tested patterns (LFTs, scoring systems) and avoid deep dives into rare liver diseases.

  • Pitfall: Neglecting basic science in favour of only clinical details. Fix: When a question deals with physiology (e.g., bile acid circulation) link directly to the disease mechanism.

  • Pitfall: Skipping mock tests because you “aren’t ready”. Fix: Use a mock now—it will show you real gaps and give you time to remedy them.

  • Pitfall: Ignoring pharmacology side-effects in gastroenterology (e.g., steroids, immunomodulators in IBD).Fix: Use a 2-column table: drug vs key side-effect vs monitoring.

  • Pitfall: Cramming entirely new topics in the final days. Fix: In the last three days switch to flash review only—no new topics.


Ready to start?

With only two weeks to go, your strategy must be surgical. Use the MRCP Part 1 overview as your hub for structure, reinforce your practise with the Free MRCP MCQs and ensure you Start a mock test now via the mock tests section to build exam-day confidence. At Crack Medicine we’re here to support your sprint — stay disciplined, track performance and maximise every revision minute.


FAQs

Q1. How many gastroenterology questions appear in MRCP Part 1?Approximately 12–14% of questions originate in gastroenterology/hepatology on average. StudyMRCP

Q2. Should I memorise all liver disease scoring systems?

No. Focus on those frequently tested such as Child-Pugh score, rather than obscure ones.

Q3. Is it worth doing a mock the day before the exam?

It’s better to do your final mock 3 days out. The day before the exam should be used for light review and rest.

Q4. How much time should I spend per day in the last two weeks?

Aim for 4–6 hours of focused revision daily, plus one timed mock test. Quality beats quantity.

Q5. What’s the best way to tackle acid-base questions in the exam?

Use a consistent mnemonic, practise compensation equations, and integrate clinical context (vomiting, diarrhoea, renal loss) rather than rote formulae.


Sources

 
 
 

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