RCPI

MRCPI (Obstetrics and Gynaecology)

MRCPI in Obstetrics and Gynaecology is the membership examination of the RCPI Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. It has no Part I of its own: candidates enter Part II Written on the basis of MRCOG Part 1, the RCPI Professional Diploma in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, or MRCPI Part I, and then sit the Part II OSCE/Clinical. Passing MRCPI O&G is required to complete Basic Specialist Training in Obstetrics and Gynaecology and to enter Higher Specialist Training.

2
Parts
10
Dates listed

Awarded by: RCPI

Cost: €1,615 for one attempt at each part sat in Ireland (€750 + €865, 2026 fees); €2,230 with an international OSCE/Clinical centre. This excludes the entry qualification (MRCOG Part 1, RCPI Professional Diploma or MRCPI Part I at €730). Refundable to HSE employees under the HSE Clinical Course and Examination Refund Scheme.

Pass rates: Academic year July 2023 to June 2024 (RCPI, all candidates): Part II Written 57%, Part II OSCE/Clinical 71%. Irish trainees first attempt: Part II Written 93%, Part II OSCE/Clinical 87%. No later figures published as of 2026-08-18.

Who can sit it

Part II Written: a Part I equivalent (MRCOG Part 1, RCPI Professional Diploma in O&G from 2023, MRCPI Part I within 6 years, or listed international equivalents) plus 18 months of post-registration training in recognised O&G posts split nine months obstetrics and nine months gynaecology, completed by the January or August cut-off. Part II OSCE/Clinical: Part II Written passed within 3 years. RCPI HST entry guidance requires the relevant MRCPI Clinical to be passed before the HST interview date.

When NCHDs sit it

Irish O&G BST is three years (two SHO years and a junior registrar year). Trainees usually take MRCOG Part 1 or the RCPI Professional Diploma early in BST, sit Part II Written once the 18 months of recognised O&G posts are complete (typically BST year 2 or 3), and the OSCE/Clinical in the following diet. MRCPI O&G is required for BST completion and RCPI states the Clinical must be passed before the HST Obstetrics and Gynaecology interview date, with no exceptions.

The parts

Part II Written€750 (2026 fee, Irish and overseas candidates) · 2 (March and September)/yr
Written, one paper of 100 single best answer questions with five options, remote invigilation · 3 hours
Requires one of: MRCOG Part 1 (exemption from MRCOG Part 1 not accepted), RCPI Professional Diploma in O&G (2023 onwards), MRCPI General Medicine or Paediatrics Part I within the last 6 years, or listed international equivalents (MRANZCOG, FCOG SA, FCPS Pakistan, MMed Malaysia 2008 onwards). Also requires 18 months of post-registration training in Institute-recognised posts (nine months obstetrics and nine months gynaecology, or combined posts), each of at least six months, completed by January for the March diet or August for the September diet. No negative marking. Maximum 6 attempts; must pass within 6 years of the entry qualification. Pass mark not published.
Part II OSCE/Clinical€865 in Ireland; €1,480 at international centres (2026 fees) · 2 in Ireland (May/June and November) plus international diets (Riyadh November 2026, further international diet TBC February 2027)/yr
OSCE of seven ten minute stations plus at least one rest station, and one 25 minute long case (obstetrics or gynaecology) with two examiners, using simulated patients, role players and models, in person · About 70 minutes OSCE plus 25 minute long case
Must have passed MRCPI O&G Part II Written within the last 3 years. Maximum 6 attempts; must be completed within 3 years of passing Part II Written. Candidates cannot choose their exam day where the diet runs over more than one day. Pass mark not published.

Dates

  • 6 Nov 2026SittingPart II OSCE/Clinical (Dublin) day 1 (Part II OSCE/Clinical)
  • 6 Nov 2026SittingPart II OSCE/Clinical (Riyadh) day 1 (Part II OSCE/Clinical)
  • 7 Nov 2026SittingPart II OSCE/Clinical (Dublin) day 2 (Part II OSCE/Clinical)
  • 13 Jan 2027Apply byPart II Written (remote) applications close (Part II Written)
  • 5 Mar 2027SittingPart II Written (remote) (Part II Written)
  • 14 Jul 2027Apply byPart II Written (remote) applications close (Part II Written)
  • 3 Sept 2027SittingPart II Written (remote) (Part II Written)
3 past dates
  • 15 Jul 2026Apply byPart II Written (remote) applications close (Part II Written)
  • 2 Sept 2026Apply byPart II OSCE/Clinical (Dublin and Riyadh) applications close (Part II OSCE/Clinical)
  • 4 Sept 2026SittingPart II Written (remote) (Part II Written)

Needed for

Obstetrics & Gynaecology TrainingHST Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Preparation resources

Resources for each exam part, with access details, costs and suggested priorities.

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A
B
C

Tiers are editorial: S = essential and closely mapped to the exam, A = strong, B = useful supplement, C = optional. No affiliate links; prices are indicative and change.

Preparing

Part II Written is a single 100 question SBA paper of clinical vignettes across obstetrics, gynaecology, reproductive medicine and related basic science, without negative marking. The RCPI O&G exam brochure and Information and Resources page hold the regulations and any sample material; many Irish candidates also use MRCOG Part 2 question banks because the SBA style and knowledge base overlap.

The OSCE/Clinical is seven ten minute stations plus a 25 minute observed long case with two examiners, on simulated patients and models. Structured history taking, counselling and communication under time pressure are what get marked, so timed station practice with colleagues and formal courses run through the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists or hospital training leads are the standard preparation.

The written paper is delivered by remote invigilation on TestReach; complete the device check and book a start slot at least 72 hours before the exam.

Last verified 2026-08-18. Sources: https://www.rcpi.ie/Learn-and-Develop/Examinations/RCPI-Examinations/MRCPI-in-Obstetrics-and-Gynaecology/Overview https://www.rcpi.ie/Learn-and-Develop/Examinations/RCPI-Examinations/MRCPI-in-Obstetrics-and-Gynaecology/Exam-Format/Obstetrics-and-Gynaecology-Part-II-Written https://www.rcpi.ie/Learn-and-Develop/Examinations/RCPI-Examinations/MRCPI-in-Obstetrics-and-Gynaecology/Exam-Format/Obstetrics-and-Gynaecology-Part-II-OSCE-Clinical https://www.rcpi.ie/Learn-and-Develop/Examinations/Examinations-Schedule https://www.rcpi.ie/Learn-and-Develop/Training-Programmes/Basic-Specialist-Training/Obstetrics-and-Gynaecology-Basic-Specialist-Training/Overview https://www.rcpi.ie/Learn-and-Develop/Training-Programmes/Higher-Specialist-Training/Entry-Guidance-and-Advice https://www.rcpi.ie/Portals/0/Document%20Repository/Exams/Policies%20and%20Procedures/MRCPI%20Examination%20Pass%20Rates%202024%20(website).pdf https://www.rcpi.ie/Portals/0/Document%20Repository/Exams/Policies%20and%20Procedures/Limited%20Attempts%20Policy%20MRCPI%20February%202026%20(including%20Occ%20Med)%20NEW.pdf