Understand the numbers behind MRCP Part 1 success. This guide breaks down official pass rate data, what drives the variation between candidate groups, and how to shift the odds in your favour. For the full exam overview, see our MRCP Part 1 Complete Guide 2026.
46-56%
Overall Pass Rate (Any Single Sitting)
The MRCP Part 1 pass rate sits close to half. Across the four most recently published diets it ran from 45.9% to 55.5%, and across 2025 as a whole 50.6% of candidates passed. This is a genuinely hard exam, but the familiar claim that most candidates fail no longer matches the published data.
But here’s the truth: understanding what the pass rate data actually tells you is the first step towards making sure you end up on the right side of it.
How MRCP Part 1 Scoring Works
Before interpreting pass rates, you need to understand how the MRCP Part 1 pass mark is determined — because it is not a simple percentage threshold.
The MRCP Part 1 passing score is calculated using a statistical process called equating, based on Item Response Theory (IRT). This system adjusts for the difficulty of each specific diet so that the standard remains consistent across sittings.
Aim to consistently exceed the 450 threshold in practice exams rather than chasing an arbitrary percentage.
MRCP Part 1 Pass Rates: 2025-2026
The MRCP Part 1 is held three times per year, and pass rates fluctuate modestly between diets. For the full 2026 exam calendar with booking deadlines, see our dedicated guide.
| Diet | Overall Pass Rate | UK Trainees | UK Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | 48.7% | 44.1% | 63.7% |
| September 2025 | 49.6% | 46.9% | 70.0% |
| May 2025 | 55.5% | 51.1% | 63.4% |
| January 2025 | 45.9% | 37.9% | 59.9% |
Pass Rates by Candidate Type
Not all candidates have equal pass rates. Here’s what the data shows:
First-Time Candidates
- First attempt, 2025: 54.8% for candidates based outside the UK, 42.8% for UK-based doctors
- Not automatically the strongest group. UK-based doctors on attempts two to six passed at 46.1%, slightly ahead of first-timers
- What separates these groups is preparation, not attempt number
UK Trainees
- Pass rate, all attempts: 44.1% in January 2026, 46.9% in September 2025, 51.1% in May 2025
- Often quoted far higher because the 60-70% figure belongs to UK graduates, which is a different group
- Training status is self-declared, so treat the category with some caution
International Medical Graduates (IMGs)
- No official IMG pass rate is published. The closest published group, candidates based outside the UK, passed at 51.3% across 2025
- That sits above the 42.8% recorded for UK-based doctors on their first attempt, so the gap does not run the way it is usually assumed
- The real obstacles are question style and exam technique, not ability
Repeat Candidates
- Pass rates do not simply fall with each attempt. For UK-based doctors they rose, from 42.8% on attempt one to 46.1% across attempts two to six
- For candidates outside the UK the pattern does decline: 54.8% on attempt one, then 41.6%
- Official figures are published in bands (attempt one, attempts two to six, attempts seven plus), not as separate second and third attempt rates
What Actually Affects Your Pass Rate
Factors Within Your Control
- Quality of preparation — using high-yield resources
- Question practice volume — broad coverage of the syllabus matters more than a target number
- Mock exam performance — use mocks to find gaps; the real exam is scored on an equated scale, not a raw percentage
- Time management — pacing during the exam
- Strategic topic focus — see our syllabus weightage breakdown to prioritise effectively
Factors Outside Your Control
- Question difficulty variation between diets
- Luck of the draw (which topics appear)
- Exam day conditions
How to Improve Your Chances
- Start early — 4-6 months minimum for adequate preparation
- Focus on high-yield topics — Cardiology, GI, Respiratory, Neurology = 28% of the exam
- Use quality question banks — consultant-written questions reflect real difficulty
- Practice under exam conditions — timed mock papers are essential
- Address weaknesses actively — don’t ignore topics you find hard
- Don’t rush retakes — if you fail, analyse why and fix gaps before re-sitting
For a complete week-by-week study plan, see our MRCP Part 1 First Time Pass Strategy.
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Key Takeaways
- The overall pass rate has recently run between 45.9% and 55.5% per sitting
- First-attempt rates in 2025 were 54.8% outside the UK and 42.8% for UK-based doctors
- Candidates outside the UK passed at 51.3% in 2025, ahead of UK-based doctors on first attempt
- Resitting is not a lost cause — fix the knowledge gaps rather than simply retaking
- Use mocks to expose weak topics rather than chasing a target percentage
Conclusion
The MRCP Part 1 pass rate sits around half, and that figure covers everyone who sat it, including candidates who walked in underprepared.
With targeted preparation you can absolutely land on the right side of that number. The exam is hard by design, but it is built to be passed by doctors who prepare properly.
Focus on what you can control: preparation quality, question practice, and exam technique.
