What is the pass rate for MRCP Part 1?

TL;DR

The average pass rate for MRCP Part 1 is between 35% and 45%, according to official MRCP(UK) statistics. This means fewer than half of candidates succeed in any given sitting, and many need more than one attempt. Understanding this context helps set realistic expectations and highlights why focused preparation, question practice, and timed mock exams are essential.

Why this matters

MRCP Part 1 is the entry point to membership of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the UK. The exam is designed to test broad knowledge across medicine, clinical sciences, and statistics. Because the pass rate is consistently below 50%, candidates must plan carefully and adopt evidence-based revision strategies.

At Crack Medicine, we’ve seen how structured resources—such as our MRCP Part 1 overview, QBank practice, and focused lecture sets—can make the difference between an unsuccessful attempt and a pass.

What the pass rate shows

According to MRCP(UK) exam statistics, the overall pass rate for Part 1 is usually 35–45%.

Key points:

• Fewer than half pass each diet → preparation is non-negotiable.

• UK vs international graduates → UK graduates historically achieve higher pass rates, but both face the same syllabus.

• Fluctuates by sitting → small variation year to year, but the exam is consistently demanding.

This tells us the exam is not designed to be cleared by casual reading—it requires systematic practice, endurance, and deep coverage of core specialties.

High-yield essentials about MRCP Part 1

1. Format: Two papers in one day, each with 100 best-of-five questions.

2. Breadth: Covers 14 specialties, plus basic sciences and statistics.

3. Time pressure: 3 hours per paper; poor pacing is a common failure point.

4. Pass mark: Determined by standard-setting, varies each diet.

5. Eligibility: Doctors with a primary medical qualification recognised by the GMC.

6. Attempts: Unlimited, but repeated failures cost time and money.

7. Frequency: Held three times a year worldwide.

8. Difficulty: Many candidates attempt while working full-time, impacting preparation.

9. Most tested specialties: Cardiology, neurology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, and clinical pharmacology.

10. Critical skill: Applying knowledge in timed, problem-solving scenarios.

    
    

Practical example / Mini-case

Case: A 32-year-old man presents with sudden, severe chest pain radiating to his back. He is hypertensive and has unequal pulses in both arms.

Question: What is the most likely diagnosis?

• A. Myocardial infarction

• B. Pulmonary embolism

• C. Aortic dissection

• D. Pericarditis

• E. Pneumothorax

Answer: C. Aortic dissection – classic features include chest pain radiating to the back with pulse asymmetry.

Takeaway: Vascular emergencies like aortic dissection are high-yield for MRCP Part 1. Recognising key clinical clues is often the difference between a correct and incorrect answer.

Study strategy: 10-week compact plan

A practical timetable helps manage breadth. Here’s a 10-week structured approach:

Week	Focus Area	Key Activity
1–2	Clinical sciences (physiology, pharmacology)	Daily QBank + rapid review notes
3–4	Cardiology, Respiratory	Timed QBank practice + weekly consolidation
5–6	Neurology, Gastroenterology	Mock test + spaced repetition
7	Endocrinology, Renal	Reinforce weak areas
8	Rheumatology, Dermatology	Flashcards + group revision
9	Statistics, Haematology	Drill formulae + past questions
10	Mixed mocks	Full exam simulation + error log review

By weeks 9–10, candidates should have completed at least two full mock tests and several timed QBank blocks from resources such as Free MRCP MCQs.

Common pitfalls

• Underestimating breadth → focusing only on major specialties, neglecting smaller ones.

• Avoiding statistics → leads to easily lost marks despite small proportion.

• Not practising under timed conditions → poor pacing costs more marks than knowledge gaps.

• Passive reading → textbooks without active recall waste effort.

• Weak error review → repeating the same mistakes across practice papers.

  
  

FAQs

1. What is the pass rate for MRCP Part 1?

It usually ranges between 35% and 45%, according to MRCP(UK) statistics.

2. How many attempts do candidates usually need?

Many pass on their second attempt. First-time passes are achievable with disciplined study.

3. Which subjects carry the most weight?

Cardiology, neurology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, and clinical pharmacology feature heavily.

4. How can I improve my chances of passing?

Use a structured plan, practise under timed conditions, and attempt multiple mocks before the real exam.

5. Does the pass rate differ internationally?

Yes, UK graduates have a higher pass rate, but international graduates succeed with equally strong preparation.

Ready to start?

The MRCP Part 1 pass rate underlines its reputation as a tough but fair exam. With fewer than half passing at each sitting, success depends on planning, endurance, and smart use of resources.

Explore our MRCP Part 1 overview, sharpen your recall with Free MRCP MCQs, and test yourself with a full mock exam. Each step builds the confidence and precision needed to join the successful minority.

Sources

• MRCP(UK) official exam statistics

• Royal College of Physicians – MRCP(UK) overview

• General Medical Council – UK medical licensing