MRCP Part 2: Composition of the exam

The MRCP Part 2 examination must be completed within seven years of passing the MRCP Part 1 exam, otherwise, the MRCP Part 1 examination must be re-taken.

The MRCP Part 2 written examination now consists of two papers containing 100 "best of five" format or "n out of many" format multiple choice questions . The candidates will have three hours to write each paper.

Score: There is no negative marking. For each answer, candidates receive a mark of +1 for each correct answer and a mark of 0 for each incorrect answer. Moreover, marks will not be awarded where more than one answer is given or where the answer sheet is spoiled or unreadable.

Example of an MRCP Part 2 'Best of Five' question (BOF)

A young man has intractable epilepsy with numerous admissions to hospital with status in spite of good compliance with anti-convulsant treatment. He is being considered for a right temporal lobectomy.

Which visual field defect is he likely to develop following this surgical procedure:-

• Left homonymous superior quadrantanopia
• Right homonymous superior quadrantanopia
• Left homonymous inferior quadrantanopia
• Right homonymous inferior quadrantanopia
• Left homonymous hemianopia

Example of an MRCP Part 2 'n out of many' question (BOF)

A 65-year-old man complains of being unable to rise easily from his chair. This has been getting worse over the past week, to the point where his wife has to help him. He has recently had the flu, and although the respiratory symptoms have resolved, he still feels run down. He has noticed some difficulty with swallowing and lifting objects down from high shelves in the kitchen. He is on a tricyclic antidepressant for nerves; there is no family history of neurological problems.

On examination, he looks well. There is no rash, and he is not cushingoid. There are no cognitive disturbance or cranial nerve abnormalities to detect, although neck flexion is weak. Examination of limbs reveals proximal weakness, but no focal tenderness. Distal power is intact. Reflexes and tone are normal throughout.

Which of the following 2 tests are most likely to be normal?

• Serum creatinine kinase
• ECG
• Antinuclear antibody
• Urine myoglobin level
• ANCA
• Anti Jo1 antibodies
• EMG
• Chest X-ray
• Skin biopsy
• Muscle biopsy