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[ Home ](https://mdster.com) 2. [ Blog ](https://mdster.com/blog) 3. [ Study Tips ](https://mdster.com/blog?category=study-tips) 4. Membership of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the United Kingdom (MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written): Study Plan [ Study Tips ](https://mdster.com/blog?category=study-tips) Membership of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the United Kingdom (MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written): Study Plan ============================================================================================================ A practical, clinically focused strategy for turning Part 1 knowledge into Part 2 Written decision-making marks. [ MDster Editorial Team ](https://mdster.com/about) · May 20, 2026 · 4 min read · 20 [ Reviewed by Dr. Ali Ragab, MBBCH, MSc, MCAI ](https://mdster.com/medical-reviewers/dr-ali-ragab) [Editorial Policy](https://mdster.com/editorial-policy) | [Corrections Policy](https://mdster.com/corrections) [ Exam Strategy ](https://mdster.com/blog?tag=exam-strategy) [ Internal Medicine ](https://mdster.com/blog?tag=internal-medicine) [ Study Tips ](https://mdster.com/blog?tag=study-tips) [ MRCP(UK) ](https://mdster.com/blog?tag=mrcpuk) [ Part 2 Written ](https://mdster.com/blog?tag=part-2-written) ![Membership of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the United Kingdom (MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written): Study Plan](https://mdster.com/storage/blog/images/membership-of-the-royal-colleges-of-physicians-of-the-united-kingdom-mrcpuk-part-2-written.jpg) Share this article Share this post On this page 1. [ Start With the Blueprint, Not Your Favourite Topics ](#start-with-the-blueprint-not-your-favourite-topics) 2. [ Train for Best of Five Reasoning ](#train-for-best-of-five-reasoning) 3. [ Study Schedule Template: 8 Weeks ](#study-schedule-template-8-weeks) 4. [ Practise the Three-Hour Paper Strategy ](#practise-the-three-hour-paper-strategy) 5. [ Common Pitfalls to Avoid ](#common-pitfalls-to-avoid) 6. [ Key Takeaways ](#key-takeaways) 7. [ Frequently Asked Questions ](#blog-faqs) 8. [ References ](#references-heading) On this page 1. [ Start With the Blueprint, Not Your Favourite Topics ](#start-with-the-blueprint-not-your-favourite-topics) 2. [ Train for Best of Five Reasoning ](#train-for-best-of-five-reasoning) 3. [ Study Schedule Template: 8 Weeks ](#study-schedule-template-8-weeks) 4. [ Practise the Three-Hour Paper Strategy ](#practise-the-three-hour-paper-strategy) 5. [ Common Pitfalls to Avoid ](#common-pitfalls-to-avoid) 6. [ Key Takeaways ](#key-takeaways) 7. [ Frequently Asked Questions ](#blog-faqs) 8. [ References ](#references-heading) Many strong Part 1 candidates underestimate MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written because they revise facts when the paper is really testing decisions. You are not usually being asked, What is the diagnosis? You are being asked, What is the safest next step, best investigation, most likely complication, or appropriate long-term plan? Current as of May 2026, the exam has two three-hour papers on one day, each with 100 best of five questions, including images. From the 2026/02 diet, standard delivery is in-centre, with Myanmar and Sudan continuing remote proctoring. [\[1\]](#cite-1 "Reference [1]") Start With the Blueprint, Not Your Favourite Topics --------------------------------------------------- Your first task is to allocate time by yield. The largest areas include cardiology, endocrinology/diabetes, gastroenterology/hepatology, infectious diseases, renal medicine, and respiratory medicine at 19 questions each, with clinical pharmacology close behind at 18 and neurology at 17. Smaller areas still matter, but they should not consume equal time. [\[2\]](#cite-2 "Reference [2]") Use a simple traffic-light audit: - **Green:** you consistently answer management questions correctly. - **Amber:** you recognise diagnoses but miss the next step. - **Red:** you avoid the topic or rely on memorised lists. Spend 50% of your weekly study time on red high-yield systems, 30% on amber systems, and 20% maintaining green areas. > **Pro Tip:** For every wrong answer, write the clinical trigger you missed, not just the correct option. Example: AF plus haemodynamic instability means urgent electrical cardioversion, not rate-control debate. Train for Best of Five Reasoning -------------------------------- Part 2 Written questions often contain several plausible options. Your job is to choose the option that best fits timing, severity, contraindications, and guideline-based sequencing. After each question, force yourself to label the stem: 1. **Diagnosis question**: What condition explains the pattern? 2. **Investigation question**: What test changes management now? 3. **Immediate management**: What must be done first? 4. **Long-term management**: What reduces recurrence or mortality? 5. **Prognosis/complication**: What outcome follows this scenario? This mirrors the exam aim: applying clinical understanding, prioritising problems, planning investigations, choosing immediate and long-term management, and assessing prognosis. [\[1\]](#cite-1 "Reference [1]") Study Schedule Template: 8 Weeks -------------------------------- PhaseFocusWeekly targetWeeks 1-2Baseline and blueprint coverage300 timed questions, error log, identify red systemsWeeks 3-5High-yield systems450-600 questions, guideline summaries, image practiceWeek 6Mixed timed blocksTwo 100-question half-mocks, review uncertainty patternsWeek 7Exam simulationOne full two-paper day under timed conditionsWeek 8ConsolidationRe-do incorrect questions, revise red-flag algorithms Use resources deliberately: - **Question bank:** primary tool; do timed, mixed blocks after week 3. - **Concise internal medicine text:** use only to clarify repeated errors. - **National/society guidelines:** summarise algorithms for ACS, asthma/COPD, AKI, DKA, GI bleeding, stroke, sepsis, anticoagulation, and immunosuppression. - **Study group:** meet weekly for 60 minutes; each person teaches five difficult stems and explains why the distractors are wrong. Practise the Three-Hour Paper Strategy -------------------------------------- You have about 1.8 minutes per question. Do not spend four minutes rescuing one mark while sacrificing later easier marks. Use this rhythm: - **First pass, 0-120 minutes:** answer clear questions, flag uncertain ones, move on. - **Second pass, 120-165 minutes:** return to flagged questions and eliminate unsafe or poorly timed options. - **Final 15 minutes:** check unanswered items, image questions, and accidental misclicks. The pass mark is reported as a scaled score, not a raw percentage; from 2026/1, Part 2 Written uses a pass mark of 444, with equating to account for paper difficulty. [\[3\]](#cite-3 "Reference [3]") So train for consistent performance across systems rather than chasing a fixed percentage. Common Pitfalls to Avoid ------------------------ - **Over-reading rare diagnoses:** Part 2 rewards common presentations with clinically correct next steps. - **Ignoring clinical pharmacology:** adverse effects, interactions, renal dosing, pregnancy, and monitoring are frequent decision points. - **Reviewing explanations passively:** convert misses into flashcards such as When is CT angiography preferred? or When is thrombolysis contraindicated? - **Leaving images until late:** practise ECGs, CXRs, dermatology, fundoscopy, blood films, and endoscopy images weekly. - **Preparing like PACES:** Part 2 Written is not about performing examination routines; it is about written clinical judgement under time pressure. Key Takeaways ------------- - Build your plan from the official blueprint. - Do most practice in best of five timed blocks. - Track errors by decision type: diagnosis, investigation, acute management, long-term plan, prognosis. - Simulate the full two-paper day before exam week. - Prioritise high-yield systems but protect small-topic marks with short, regular reviews. MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written is challenging, but it is very trainable. If you practise choosing the best next step, not merely recognising facts, your revision starts to look like the exam itself—and that is where your score improves. Frequently Asked Questions ---------------------------- ### How many weeks should I allow for MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written preparation? Most working doctors need 8-12 weeks. If your Part 1 knowledge is fresh, 8 focused weeks with timed questions and error review can be enough. ### Should I study by specialty or mixed questions? Start by specialty to repair weak systems, then switch to mixed timed blocks after week 3 so your practice matches the real paper. ### What score should I aim for in question banks? Use scores as trend data, not a pass guarantee. Aim for steady improvement, fewer repeated errors, and safe decision-making across all major systems. ### How should I revise clinical pharmacology for Part 2 Written? Focus on interactions, contraindications, monitoring, renal adjustment, pregnancy, anticoagulation, immunosuppression, and adverse-effect recognition in clinical scenarios. References (4) ------------------ 1. 1. [ www.thefederation.uk/mrcpuk-examinations/part-2 ](https://www.thefederation.uk/mrcpuk-examinations/part-2) [↩](#cite-ref-1-1 "Back to text") 2. 2. [ The Federation: MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written blueprint ](https://www.thefederation.uk/sites/default/files/documents/Part%202%20blueprint%20Nov%202021%20%28002%29.pdf) [↩](#cite-ref-2-1 "Back to text") 3. 3. [ The Federation: MRCP(UK) pass marks explained ](https://www.thefederation.uk/examinations/guidance-and-information/pass-marks-explained) [↩](#cite-ref-3-1 "Back to text") 4. 4. [ The Federation: MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written exam format ](https://www.thefederation.uk/examinations/part-2) Next step Turn reading into Internal Medicine performance ------------------------------------------------- - System‑based, exam‑style questions + explanations - Smarter review to reinforce weak topics - Build confidence with measurable progress [ Start practicing ](https://mdster.com/user/dashboard) [ Explore Internal Medicine ](https://mdster.com/speciality/internal-medicine) [ View pricing ](https://mdster.com/pricing) [ Explore features ](https://mdster.com/features) No credit card required. Full access to all features. No commitment. Cancel anytime. 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