What are the subject areas in MRCP Part 1?

TL;DR

If you are wondering what are the subject areas in MRCP Part 1, the exam spans all the major medical specialties, applied basic sciences, and statistics. Candidates face questions in Cardiology, Neurology, Gastroenterology, Respiratory Medicine, Endocrinology, Rheumatology, Psychiatry, and more. Success requires balancing preparation across these areas with consistent question practice and timed mocks.

Why this matters

MRCP Part 1 is the first step towards Membership of the Royal Colleges of Physicians (UK). It is designed to test broad-based knowledge of medicine, clinical sciences, and interpretation skills expected of a junior doctor entering higher training. The syllabus is intentionally wide, so knowing the subject areas is key to structuring an efficient study plan.

Subject areas tested in MRCP Part 1

According to the official MRCP(UK) examination blueprint, the exam is divided into the following domains:

1. Cardiology

2. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics

3. Clinical Sciences (anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, genetics, immunology)

4. Dermatology

5. Endocrinology & Diabetes

6. Gastroenterology & Hepatology

7. Haematology

8. Infectious Diseases & HIV Medicine

9. Neurology

10. Ophthalmology

11. Psychiatry

12. Renal Medicine

13. Respiratory Medicine

14. Rheumatology

15. Statistics, Epidemiology & Evidence-based Medicine

    
    

Table: Relative importance in MRCP Part 1

Subject Area	Typical Emphasis*	Notes for Candidates
Cardiology	High	ECGs, heart failure, ACS
Neurology	High	Stroke, seizures, demyelination
Gastroenterology & Hepatology	High	GI bleeding, liver disease, IBD
Respiratory Medicine	High	Asthma, COPD, ILD, lung cancer
Endocrinology & Diabetes	High	Thyroid, pituitary, adrenal, diabetes
Rheumatology	Moderate–High	CTDs, vasculitis, arthritis
Clinical Pharmacology	Moderate	Drug mechanisms, ADRs
Haematology	Moderate	Anaemias, coagulation, malignancies
Psychiatry	Moderate	Depression, psychosis, dementia
Renal Medicine	Moderate	AKI, CKD, nephrotic/nephritic
Infectious Diseases	Variable	HIV, TB, tropical infections
Clinical Sciences	Core underpinning	Applied physiology & genetics
Dermatology & Ophthalmology	Lower but tested	Common rashes, acute eye conditions
Statistics & Epidemiology	Essential	Study design, bias, interpretation

*Based on MRCP(UK) content outline and candidate reports.

Practical example (mini case)

Question: A 58-year-old man presents with fatigue and pallor. His bloods show Hb 8.9 g/dL, MCV 70 fL, ferritin 5 µg/L. Endoscopy reveals a large mass in the caecum. What is the most likely underlying cause of his anaemia?

• A. Iron deficiency due to chronic blood loss ✅

• B. Vitamin B12 deficiency

• C. Haemolysis

• D. Anaemia of chronic disease

Explanation: This integrates Gastroenterology (colorectal cancer) with Haematology (iron deficiency). MRCP Part 1 frequently tests cross-specialty reasoning.

Common pitfalls

• Over-preparing high-yield subjects like Cardiology while neglecting Statistics or Clinical Sciences.

• Relying only on short notes without understanding physiology.

• Poor time management in the exam (200 questions in 3 hours).

• Ignoring image/data interpretation (ECGs, chest X-rays, survival curves).

• Leaving statistics until the last week instead of steady practice.

  
  

Study-tip checklist

• Map your study hours to the exam blueprint.

• Do timed practice sets daily using a reliable question bank.

• Attempt at least 3–4 full mock tests before the exam.

• Keep a dedicated error log for repeated mistakes.

• Revise statistics weekly.

• Use recorded lectures for weak areas like Renal or Rheumatology.

  
  

FAQs

Q1. How many subjects are tested in MRCP Part 1?

Around 14–15 subject domains are tested, covering both clinical specialties and applied sciences.

Q2. Which subjects are most important?

Cardiology, Neurology, Gastroenterology, Respiratory Medicine, and Endocrinology carry the highest weighting.

Q3. Do basic sciences appear in the exam?

Yes. Clinical sciences such as physiology, genetics, and immunology form a core part of the syllabus.

Q4. How important are statistics?

Statistics usually account for 5–10% of the exam and focus on study design, bias, and clinical trial interpretation.

Q5. What’s the best way to practise?

Use a subject-wise QBank for daily practice and complete timed mocks to simulate the real exam.

Ready to start?

The MRCP Part 1 requires breadth of knowledge and disciplined revision. Focus on the blueprint, practise under exam conditions, and avoid common traps. Start your preparation with our MRCP Part 1 overview, explore Free MRCP MCQs, and Start a mock test today.

Sources

• MRCP(UK) Part 1: Content of the examination

• Royal College of Physicians UK: Candidate Information

• Crack Medicine teaching resources