MRCOG Part 2: The Complete Guide to SBAs, EMQs and How to Pass

MRCOG Part 2 is the clinical written examination of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, and it is where O&G trainees move from the basic science of Part 1 to the applied clinical knowledge that runs a labour ward and a gynaecology clinic. It combines two question formats, demands careful time management, and covers the full breadth of the specialty. This guide explains the format, the content, who can sit it, and the revision approach that gives you the best chance of passing at the first attempt.

What is MRCOG Part 2?

MRCOG Part 2 is a computer-based written examination that assesses the application of clinical knowledge across obstetrics and gynaecology. Questions present clinical scenarios and ask you to choose the most appropriate diagnosis, investigation or management, in line with current UK practice and national guidance. It is the second of the three MRCOG examinations: Part 1 tests the basic and applied sciences, Part 2 tests applied clinical knowledge, and Part 3 is a clinical assessment of skills. You must pass Part 2 before you can proceed to Part 3.

MRCOG Part 2 format and structure

• Two papers, each lasting three hours, with a lunch break between them.
• Each paper contains 50 single best answer questions (SBAs) and 50 extended matching questions (EMQs).
• Within each paper, SBAs account for 40% of the marks and EMQs for 60%.
• The two papers contribute equally to your final score.
• Incorrect answers are not penalised.
• There is a single combined pass mark for the whole exam, set by standard setting, rather than separate pass marks for each question type.

The College does not impose a time split within each paper, but it recommends roughly 70 minutes for the SBAs and 110 minutes for the EMQs, reflecting the greater weight and reading load of the EMQ section. In an EMQ, you are given a lead-in instruction and a list of options, usually 10 to 14, and must choose the single option that best fits the scenario. The same option list may be reused with different scenarios.

Who can sit MRCOG Part 2?

You must have sat and passed MRCOG Part 1 before applying for Part 2. Candidates must also meet the College's requirements on currency and attempts, which are set out in the RCOG examination regulations. Part 2 is taken by UK trainees and by O&G doctors around the world, so check the current regulations, documentation requirements and test centre options on the RCOG website before you apply.

MRCOG Part 2 syllabus: where to focus

The Part 2 syllabus is built from the RCOG core curriculum and its knowledge requirements, organised into knowledge areas that map to the curriculum's Capabilities in Practice. The knowledge areas span:

• Clinical skills, teaching and research, including audit, governance and evidence interpretation.
• Core surgical skills and postoperative care.
• Antenatal care and maternal medicine.
• Management of labour, management of delivery and postpartum problems.
• Gynaecological problems, subfertility, and sexual and reproductive health.
• Early pregnancy care and gynaecological oncology.
• Urogynaecology and pelvic floor problems.

Because questions are grounded in current UK practice, the RCOG Green-top Guidelines and relevant NICE guidance underpin a large share of the expected answers. Knowing the recommended threshold, timing or next step, rather than a general idea of the condition, is what separates a correct answer from a plausible distractor.

A realistic MRCOG Part 2 study plan

Most candidates prepare over several months while working on a busy rota. A phased plan keeps all fifteen knowledge areas moving.

• Phase 1, guideline-led coverage: work through the knowledge areas one at a time, reading the key national guidelines for each and answering questions in tutor mode as you go. Start with the areas you see least in your current post.
• Phase 2, format practice: deliberately practise EMQs, which many candidates find slower than SBAs. Learn to read the lead-in first and to scan the option list efficiently. Mix knowledge areas so that you get used to switching topic quickly.
• Phase 3, timed simulation: sit full three-hour papers of 50 SBAs and 50 EMQs under exam conditions, practising the recommended time split. Review your analytics and close gaps in the final weeks.

Common mistakes candidates make

• Running out of time on the EMQs because too long was spent on the SBAs. The EMQs carry more of the marks.
• Revising from textbooks rather than current national guidance, when many questions hinge on guideline detail.
• Concentrating on obstetrics or gynaecology alone, depending on current rotation, rather than covering every knowledge area.
• Neglecting teaching, research, audit and governance topics, which are examinable and highly learnable.
• Skipping full timed papers, so the six hours of the exam day come as a shock.

Exam technique and what to expect on the day

Keep the College's recommended time split in mind: aim to finish the SBA section in around 70 minutes so you have about 110 minutes for the EMQs. For each EMQ, read the lead-in instruction first, then the scenario, and form your answer before scanning the alphabetised option list. Be wary of options that are correct statements but not the best fit for the specific question. Flag uncertain items and return to them, make sure every question has an answer by the end, and treat the lunch break as a reset before the second paper.

The best way to revise for MRCOG Part 2

MRCOG Part 2 is a written exam built from SBAs and EMQs, so a question bank that reproduces both formats and is mapped to the RCOG curriculum is the most efficient core resource. Good explanations should tie each answer back to the relevant guideline, so that you learn the reasoning as well as the fact. Work in tutor mode while building knowledge, read why each distractor is wrong, and use performance tracking to keep every knowledge area moving. Finish with full timed papers to practise the time split and the stamina the exam demands.

Passmed's MRCOG Part 2 question bank is written by qualified doctors and mapped to the RCOG curriculum, with guideline-based explanations and performance tracking that shows which knowledge areas need the most work. Explore the question bank →

Frequently asked questions

How many questions are in MRCOG Part 2?

Each of the two papers contains 50 SBAs and 50 EMQs, so the exam has 200 questions in total, with three hours per paper.

Do I need to pass MRCOG Part 1 first?

Yes. Candidates must have sat and passed Part 1 before applying for Part 2, and must meet the College's currency and attempt rules.

Is there negative marking in MRCOG Part 2?

No. Incorrect answers are not penalised, so make sure every question has an answer.

How should I split my time in each paper?

The RCOG recommends around 70 minutes for the SBAs and 110 minutes for the EMQs, although managing your time is your own responsibility on the day.

Are there separate pass marks for SBAs and EMQs?

No. There is a single combined pass mark for the exam, set through a standard-setting process that accounts for its difficulty.

Exam format details were checked against the official examining body (accessed October 2026). Specifications, dates and fees change, always confirm the current details on the official website before you sit.