Table Of Contents
  1. Week-by-Week Schedule
  2. Phase 1: Foundation (Weeks 1-2)
  3. Phase 2: High-Yield Specialties (Weeks 3-6)
  4. Phase 3: Remaining Specialties + Weak Areas (Weeks 7-8)
  5. Phase 4: Mock Exams and Final Preparation (Weeks 9-12)
  6. Weekly Structure
  7. Mock Exam Schedule
  8. Frequently Asked Questions
  9. Key Takeaways
  10. Try MRCP Part 1 Free

MRCP Part 1: 12-Week Intensive Schedule

Published At:

Author:

Dr Mohamed Korani, NHS Consultant

Reading time:

3–5 minutes

12 weeks to MRCP Part 1 success. This structured plan takes you from foundation building to exam readiness with clear weekly targets. For a shorter alternative, see our 8-week first-time pass strategy. For the full exam overview, start with the MRCP Part 1 Complete Guide 2026.


Week-by-Week Schedule

WeekFocusTarget
1-2FoundationQuestion bank intro, identify weak areas via diagnostic test
3-4Cardiology, RespiratoryHigh-yield specialties (25% of exam)
5-6Gastroenterology, NeurologyCore systems (additional 20% of exam)
7-8Endocrine, Renal, Haematology, IDTargeted revision of remaining high-yield areas
9-10Mock exams + weak areasFull timed exams under exam conditions
11-12Final pushReview, consolidate, final mocks


Phase 1: Foundation (Weeks 1-2)

Start by assessing where you stand. Take a diagnostic test of 50-100 questions across all specialties to identify your strengths and weaknesses.

  • Complete 150-200 questions across all specialties
  • Record your scores by specialty
  • Identify your 3 weakest and 3 strongest areas
  • Familiarise yourself with the question bank interface

Daily Target: 25-30 questions + 1 hour content review


Phase 2: High-Yield Specialties (Weeks 3-6)

The four highest-yield specialties — Cardiology, Respiratory, Gastroenterology, and Neurology — together account for approximately 45% of the entire exam. Dedicate four full weeks to mastering these.

Weeks 3-4: Cardiology and Respiratory

  • Heart failure, ACS, arrhythmias, valvular disease
  • COPD, asthma, PE, interstitial lung disease
  • Complete 200+ questions across both specialties

Weeks 5-6: Gastroenterology and Neurology

  • Liver disease, IBD, pancreatitis, GI bleeding
  • Stroke, epilepsy, MS, movement disorders
  • Complete 200+ questions across both specialties
  • Take your first mock exam (Week 5) — untimed, open book


Phase 3: Remaining Specialties + Weak Areas (Weeks 7-8)

  • Endocrinology, Renal, Haematology, Infectious Diseases
  • Rheumatology, Clinical Pharmacology, Dermatology, Ethics
  • Revisit weak areas identified in Phase 1
  • Take your second mock exam (Week 7) — timed, closed book

Don’t skip: Weekly review of incorrect answers. This is where real learning happens.


Phase 4: Mock Exams and Final Preparation (Weeks 9-12)

This is where you shift from learning to exam performance.

Weeks 9-10: Intensive Mock Practice

  • Complete your third mock exam (Week 9) under full exam conditions
  • Analyse patterns in your incorrect answers
  • Focus 60% of study time on persistent weak areas
  • Continue 25-30 questions daily across all specialties

Weeks 11-12: Final Consolidation

  • Complete your fourth and final mock exam (Week 11)
  • Review high-yield guidelines one final time
  • Light revision only in the final 48 hours
  • Prioritise rest and sleep before exam day

Target Score: Aim for 65%+ consistently across your mocks before sitting the real exam. See our pass rate analysis to understand what this means in practice.


Weekly Structure

  • Weekdays: 20 questions in the morning + 1 hour evening review
  • Weekends: 50 questions + full review of incorrect answers

If you’re working full-time in the NHS, see our dedicated guide on balancing MRCP revision with clinical work for practical scheduling advice.


Mock Exam Schedule

  • Week 5: First mock (untimed, open book — baseline assessment)
  • Week 7: Second mock (timed, closed book — progress check)
  • Week 9: Third mock (full exam conditions — exam simulation)
  • Week 11: Final mock (full exam conditions — readiness assessment)

Critical: If you’re not consistently scoring above 60% by Week 9, consider deferring to the next sitting rather than attempting underprepared. Check the 2026 exam dates for alternative sittings.

Try MRCP Part 1 Free

Start a free 2-day trial — 30 exam-style questions plus sample videos, flashcards and Knowledge Library articles. A taste of our full 6,000+ question bank across all 17 specialties. No card, ends automatically.

Start free trial

Keep full access from £25 — when your trial ends it expires on its own, nothing to cancel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 12 weeks enough to prepare for MRCP Part 1?+
12 weeks is optimal for candidates with reasonable baseline knowledge. Those with weaker foundations may benefit from 16-20 weeks, while strong candidates can succeed with an 8-week intensive plan.
How many questions should I do per day?+
Aim for 25-30 questions on weekdays and 50 on weekends, combined with 1 hour of content review. This builds to 1,500-2,500+ questions across the 12-week period.
What if I’m working full-time during this plan?+
The plan is designed to be achievable alongside clinical work. Use fragmented time (commute, lunch breaks) for quick question sessions and protect your evenings and weekends for focused revision.


Key Takeaways

  • 12 weeks = optimal preparation time for most candidates
  • Focus on the big four specialties (45% of the exam) in weeks 3-6
  • Take 4 mock exams minimum, spread across weeks 5-11
  • Review incorrect answers weekly — this is where the real learning happens
  • Aim for 65%+ on mocks before booking the real exam
  • Prioritise rest in the final 48 hours

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