MRCS Part A Study Plan: 12 Weeks
A realistic schedule for working doctors. Adjust it to your start date and rota; the principle is to learn, then test, then revisit.
This plan assumes about 10 to 15 hours a week. Do questions in every week, not only at the end.
Weeks 1 to 4: Build the base
- Week 1: Surgical anatomy - limbs and nerves, abdomen.
- Week 2: Surgical anatomy - head and neck, thorax, neuroanatomy.
- Week 3: Physiology and biochemistry - fluids, acid-base, endocrine.
- Week 4: Pathology - inflammation, neoplasia, wound healing.
Weeks 5 to 8: Applied science and principles of surgery
- Week 5: Microbiology, immunology, antibiotics.
- Week 6: Pharmacology and anaesthesia basics.
- Week 7: Perioperative care, nutrition, consent and ethics.
- Week 8: Trauma, ATLS, shock, critical care.
Weeks 9 to 11: Question-heavy consolidation
- Do mixed-topic blocks of 50 questions under time pressure.
- Review your error log daily and re-do wrong questions after 7 days.
- Fill gaps: if a topic stays below your target, give it a dedicated day.
Week 12: Mock and rest
- Sit full-length timed mocks early in the week.
- Skim your error log, not new material.
- Sleep properly before the exam.
Practise with the Part A question bank. Read the exam guide for the bigger picture, and start Part B practice with the OSCE simulator once Part A is booked.
Frequently asked questions
Is 12 weeks enough for MRCS Part A?
It depends on your baseline and how many hours you can protect each week. Many candidates plan 3 to 6 months. Use your question-bank scores, not the calendar, to decide when you are ready.
How many questions should I do a day?
Roughly 40 to 60 with full review is a common target. Quality of review matters more than the raw number.