FCPS Part 1 — frequently asked questions

FCPS Part 1 is the entry examination for the Fellowship of the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan (CPSP). Passing it is the first step toward postgraduate specialist training (residency/induction) in your chosen specialty.

Two papers on the same day: Paper I and Paper II, each with 100 one-best-answer MCQs (five options) and three hours. Paper I covers basic sciences and is the same for every specialty; Paper II is specific to the specialty you apply in.

The pass line is 70%. There is no negative marking, so never leave a question blank.

Graduates holding an MBBS or BDS degree recognised by PMDC. You do not have to finish your house job to attempt Part 1 — many candidates sit it during house job. Completed house job is required later at induction. Always confirm current rules in the CPSP prospectus at cpsp.edu.pk.

CPSP conducts FCPS Part 1 in multiple sittings each year (traditionally three). Exact dates are announced on cpsp.edu.pk.

CPSP policy on attempts has changed over the years; check the current prospectus for the rule in force. Practically, aiming to clear it in one or two attempts protects both your morale and your induction timeline.

Anatomy dominates — roughly 40–50% of Paper I, with heavy weight on histology and embryology. Physiology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology and Pathology/Microbiology share the rest. If you are short on time, anatomy gives the highest return per hour.

The standard set: Snell's Clinical Anatomy, Langman's Embryology, a histology atlas, Guyton & Hall Physiology, Harper's Biochemistry, Katzung Pharmacology, Robbins Pathology and Levinson Microbiology. Every PrepFCPS explanation cites one of these standard texts so you can verify any answer yourself.

Most successful candidates prepare 3–6 focused months alongside house-job duties. What matters more than months is question volume with feedback: candidates who solve thousands of MCQs and review every mistake systematically outperform those who only read.

Yes — most candidates do exactly that. It is why PrepFCPS is built for short sessions: a 20-question drill fits in a break between calls, and spaced repetition brings back what a 36-hour shift tries to erase.

Every question in PrepFCPS is reviewed by an FCPS-qualified doctor before you ever see it, and every explanation ends with a textbook reference. We do not trade in leaked papers. You also get real-format mocks, a readiness score against the 70% line, and a percentile against other candidates.

Yes. Pick your specialty once — Medicine & Allied, Surgery & Allied, Gynae/Obs, Paediatrics, Radiology, Anaesthesia, Ophthalmology, ENT, Psychiatry, Dermatology or Dentistry — and every Paper II question set, mock and drill follows it.

Yes. Choose the MD/MS track in the app and the bank, mocks and analytics follow the MD/MS entry-exam pattern built on the same basic-science foundation.

You start with a free trial — no payment details asked. After that, one-time plans (2 weeks to 3 months) unlock everything; pay by JazzCash, EasyPaisa or bank transfer. There are no feature tiers and no ads.

Registration is through CPSP directly — online at cpsp.edu.pk. PrepFCPS is a preparation platform and is not affiliated with CPSP.