MRCS Part 1 – Ultimate Preparation File

 

(3-Month Structured Plan | High-Yield Resources | Exam Strategies)

📝 Table of Contents

1. Exam Overview

2. Syllabus Breakdown

3. Study Resources

4. 3-Month Study Plan

5. Daily/Weekly Study Routine

6. MCQ & Mock Exam Strategy

7. High-Yield Topics & Mnemonics

8. Last-Minute Revision Sheet

9. Exam Day Checklist

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1️⃣ Exam Overview

• Conducted by: Royal Colleges of Surgeons (UK)

• Papers:

• Paper A: Applied Basic Science (Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology)

• Paper B: Principles of Surgery (Microbio, Pharma, Clinical Skills)

• Format: 2 x 120 MCQs (5 hours total)

• Passing Score: ~70% (varies per sitting)

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2️⃣ Syllabus Breakdown

📚 Paper A: Applied Basic Science

🔪 Paper B: Principles of Surgery

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3️⃣ Study Resources

📚 Books

• Core: “MRCS Part A: Essential Revision Notes” (Mir et al.)

• Anatomy: Gray’s Anatomy for Students (Diagrams)

• QBank: eMRCS, Pastest MRCS, PassMedicine

💻 Online Tools

• Anki Flashcards (For spaced repetition)

• TeachMeAnatomy (Quick revisions)

• YouTube: Armando Hasudungan (Physiology/Pathology)

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4️⃣ 3-Month Study Plan

📅 Month 1: Foundation Building

• Week 1-2: Anatomy (Limbs, Thorax) + 30 MCQs/day

• Week 3-4: Physiology (Cardio, Respiratory) + 50 MCQs/day

📅 Month 2: Deep Dive

• Week 5-6: Pathology + Microbiology + 80 MCQs/day

• Week 7-8: Surgical Principles + Mock Tests (Weekly)

📅 Month 3: Exam Mode

• Week 9-12: Full-length mocks + Weak area revision

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5️⃣ Daily Study Routine

⏰ 4-6 Hours/Day Example:

• Morning (2 hrs): Read theory (e.g., Anatomy)

• Afternoon (2 hrs): MCQs (eMRCS) + Review mistakes

• Night (1 hr): Anki flashcards / Mnemonics

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6️⃣ MCQ Strategy

• Phase 1: Topic-wise MCQs (e.g., only Cardio)

• Phase 2: Mixed MCQs (All subjects)

• Phase 3: Timed Mock Exams (2.5 hours/session)

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7️⃣ High-Yield Topics & Mnemonics

🔺 Must-Know Lists

• Anatomy: Brachial plexus, Femoral triangle, Calot’s triangle

• Physiology: Oxygen dissociation curve, Shock classification

• Mnemonics:

• Cranial Nerves: “Oh Oh Oh To Touch And Feel Very Good Velvet AH!”

• Carpal Bones: “Some Lovers Try Positions That They Can’t Handle”

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8️⃣ Last-Minute Revision Sheet

(Print & Revise 1 Day Before Exam)

• Formulas: Anion Gap = Na⁺ – (Cl⁻ + HCO₃⁻)

• Antibiotics: Vancomycin (MRSA), Metronidazole (Anaerobic)

• Scores: Alvarado Score (Appendicitis), Glasgow Coma Scale

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9️⃣ Exam Day Checklist

✅ Before Exam:

• Print admit card + ID

• Sleep 7+ hours

• Light revision (Only mnemonics/high-yield)

✅ During Exam:

• First pass: Answer all easy questions

• Flag tough ones for review

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🎯 Final Tips

 

• 80% of study time on MCQs (Active recall > Passive reading)

• Mock tests are key – Aim for 5+ before the exam.

• Trust your prep! Avoid last-minute cramming.