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Today is March 3rd, and in just two days, the MRCPI OBG Part 2 Written exam will take place. For months, you’ve been buried in Green-top Guidelines, NICE Updates, and the nuances of the Irish healthcare system. The written exam is just 48 hours away, and the exam fog has likely set in, making the weight finally feel real.

However, what if you get some tips that actually help you score better? For the next 48 hours, don’t bother filling your brain with new information; organise what you already know and protect your mental state. In this blog, we’ll go through the exam blueprint, how to relax when you get stuck on a question, and how to utilise the 48 hours you have to ensure you walk out of the exam hall with a smile on your face.

Decoding the Exam Blueprint

If you want to rule a city, you need to understand it inside and out. The MRCPI OBG Part 2 Written exam is a rigorous computer-based test that focuses on clinical knowledge and its application.

• Format: Part 2 Written exam comprises one exam paper with 100 Single Best Answer (SBA) questions, and candidates have 3 hours to complete the exam. The Single Best Answer (SBA) questions consist of a clinical scenario followed by five possible answers. You must choose the single best answer. There is no negative marking, and questions are equally weighted, so it is best to attempt all the questions.
• Content: As mentioned above, this exam evaluates your ability to manage clinical scenarios in Obstetrics and Gynaecology by assessing your single best answer. This includes everything from maternal medicine and labour and delivery to Urogynaecology and General Gynaecology.
• The “Irish” Nuances: While RCPI heavily aligns with RCOG guidelines, remember that this is an Irish fellowship. Pay particular attention to local protocols, such as the HSE Clinical Practice Guidelines and the specific legal/ ethical frameworks governing practice in Ireland.

How Not to Panic During the Written Exam

Even a well-prepared candidate panics. It’s basic human nature. But letting the panic get the best of you shuts down the part of your brain responsible for complex decision-making. So, you have to tackle it.

The “3-Pass” Strategy

To prevent panic, use these 3-pass techniques:

1. Pass One (The Low-Hanging Fruit): Go through the entire question paper and prioritise the questions you are 100%. This builds momentum, leaving time for you to figure out other questions.
2. Pass Two (The Thinkers): Attempt the questions that require extra time and calculation or deeper thought.
3. Pass Three (The Hail Marys): In the last 15 minutes, tackle the ones that completely stuck you. Complete them by choosing the most logical answer and move on to the next.

The “Blackout” Protocol

If you go blank when you read a confusing question, don’t keep staring at it, as it causes more panic. Close your eyes and take three deep breaths. Once that is done, skip to the next page. Usually, a later question will trigger a memory that unlocks the one you skipped.

How to Use the Remaining 48 Hours

With only two days left, it is time to change your strategy from “Deep Learning” to “High-Yield Recall.”

Day 1: The “Gap Fill” Prep:

• Morning: Review the “Heavy Hitters”. These refer to the topics that always appear: Postpartum Haemorrhage (PPH), Sepsis, Pre-eclampsia/ Eclampsia, and Fetal Heart Rate monitoring (CTG).
• Afternoon: Focus on your “Weak but Common” areas. If you struggle with urogynaecology or oncology, spend four hours here. Don’t try to learn a new rare syndrome; instead, fortify what you already know.
• Evening: Review the HSE/RCPI specific guidelines. Ensure you know the Irish protocols very well.

Day 2: The “Maintenance”

• Morning: Rapid-fire reviews of algorithms. Use a blank piece of paper and try to draw the “Massive Obstetrics Haemorrhage” or “Maternal Collapse” flowcharts from memory.
• Afternoon: Light review of “Factoids”. These are things like antibiotic dosages, chemotherapy side effects, and FIGO staging numbers.
• 6 o’clock: This is non-negotiable. You have to stop studying by 6:00 PM; you will not learn anything new in a state of exhaustion.
• Evening: Pack your bag. ID, pens, snacks, water. Check the travel time to the venue. Then, watch a light movie or read a non-medical book. Your brain needs to enter “sleep mode” to consolidate the thousands of facts you’ve fed it.

On the Exam Day: Mar 5, 2026

When you wake up, treat yourself like an athlete:

• Eat a slow-release breakfast, like oats or eggs. Avoid taking excessive amounts of caffeine, which can mimic anxiety.
• When you arrive at the exam centre, avoid the groups of candidates quizzing each other on rare symptoms. This only causes you to panic more. Stay in a quiet corner and listen to some music.
• Always read the questions twice to make sure you don’t miss a word.

Why You Are Ready

It is easy to feel like a “student” during this process, but remember: You are a doctor. You have managed real patients in real emergencies. You have delivered babies, assisted in surgeries, and comforted families. The MRCPI Written Exam is simply a theoretical version of what you already do.

The exam doesn’t want you to be a walking encyclopedia; it wants you to be a safe, competent, and evidence-based clinician. If you approach each question by asking, “What is the safest thing to do for this patient right now?” you will find that the answers start to reveal themselves.

Final Word

March 5th is not an ending; it is a milestone. Whether the paper feels easy or like a mountain, keep pushing until the final second. You’ve given your effort, your time, and your dedication. Now, it’s time to gain your result.

Good luck, colleague. We’ll see you on the other side of the membership.

Written By: Muhammed Farzeen