MRCOG Exam 2026: Parts, Fees, Dates & South Asia Centres
MRCOG exam for doctors in obstetrics and gynaecology
MRCOG is the membership exam of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) in London. It is the specialty exam for UK trainees in obstetrics and gynaecology, and it is taken by many doctors in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal who want an internationally recognised O&G qualification. It has three parts, which must be passed in order: Part 1, Part 2 and the Part 3 clinical assessment. The full MRCOG is also one of the GMC's acceptable postgraduate qualifications for registration in the UK.
MRCOG parts at a glance
- Part 1: a computer-based exam at Pearson VUE test centres: two papers of 100 single best answer (SBA) questions, two and a half hours each, on the basic and applied sciences of O&G. Held in January and July.
- Part 2: a computer-based exam of two three-hour papers, each mixing single best answer questions and extended matching questions (EMQs), on clinical obstetrics and gynaecology. You must have passed Part 1. Held in January and July.
- Part 3: a face-to-face clinical assessment of 14 tasks of 12 minutes each, including two minutes of reading time. It covers five areas: patient safety, communication with patients and relatives, communication with colleagues, information gathering and applied clinical knowledge. Held in May and November.
Fees for South Asian candidates
RCOG fees depend on the band of the country where you sit the exam, not where you live. India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal are all in Band B. For 2026 the fees are:
- Part 1: £601 at Band B centres (£577 in the UK and Ireland)
- Part 2: £601 at Band B centres (£577 in the UK and Ireland)
- Part 3: £927 at Band B venues (£620 in the UK and Ireland)
In India, Goods and Services Tax is added to the Part 1 and Part 2 fees, but not to Part 3.
Where you can sit MRCOG in South Asia
Part 1 and Part 2 are taken at Pearson VUE test centres in many cities across India, in Pakistan (including Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Faisalabad) and in Sri Lanka (including Colombo). Part 2 is also listed in Kathmandu and Lalitpur in Nepal. Candidates in Bangladesh should check the RCOG exam centre list for the current options. Part 3 is held at a different set of venues each sitting: in 2026 these included Chennai, Delhi and Lahore in May, and Kolkata and Mumbai in November.
Upcoming dates
The next Part 1 exam is on 19 January 2027 and the next Part 2 exam is on 20 January 2027. The expression of interest for these closed on 2 October 2026; candidates who registered interest can book from 27 October to 15 December 2026. The following sittings are 13 July 2027 (Part 1) and 14 July 2027 (Part 2), with expressions of interest for Part 2 closing on 30 March 2027. Always confirm dates on the RCOG website before you plan your preparation.
Eligibility, attempts and time limits
- For Part 1 you need a primary medical qualification and an approved Part 1 eligibility application.
- Candidates outside UK specialty training have no limit on attempts at Part 1 and Part 2 (UK specialty trainees are limited to six).
- You must make your first attempt at Part 2 within 10 years of passing Part 1.
- Part 3 needs a Part 2 pass and an approved Assessment of Training (AoT). International candidates need at least four years of full-time O&G posts after registration, with at least two of those years in the four years before applying, signed off by a consultant.
- Part 3 must be attempted within seven years of passing Part 2. You have four attempts; if all four fail, you must pass Part 2 again.
MRCOG and working in the UK or the Gulf
The GMC lists MRCOG among its acceptable postgraduate qualifications, so a doctor who holds the full MRCOG can apply for GMC registration without taking PLAB. The qualification should have been awarded within three years of the GMC approving your application; otherwise you need extra evidence of recent practice. Doctors who are not yet members usually register through PLAB; see all about PLAB and our PLAB exam guide, then read clinical attachments and NHS jobs and UK visas for doctors. Physicians following the same route can compare the MRCP(UK) exam.
Many O&G doctors from South Asia also work in the Gulf, where specialists sit a licensing exam for each authority. See our guides to the DHA Obs & Gynae exam, MOHAP UAE Obs & Gynae exam, DOH Abu Dhabi Obs & Gynae exam, OMSB Oman Obs & Gynae exam and Saudi SLE Obs & Gynae exam.
Frequently asked questions
How many parts does MRCOG have?
Three: Part 1 (two papers of 100 single best answer questions), Part 2 (two papers of single best answer and extended matching questions) and Part 3, a clinical assessment of 14 tasks.
Can I take MRCOG in India, Pakistan or elsewhere in South Asia?
Yes. Part 1 and Part 2 are taken at Pearson VUE test centres in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and (for Part 2) Nepal, and Part 3 has recently been held in Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Lahore.
How much does MRCOG cost in South Asia?
South Asian countries are in RCOG Band B: in 2026 Part 1 and Part 2 cost £601 each and Part 3 costs £927, with GST added to Parts 1 and 2 in India.
What experience do I need for MRCOG Part 3?
A Part 2 pass and an approved Assessment of Training, which for international candidates needs at least four years of full-time O&G posts after registration, two of them within the four years before applying.
Does MRCOG exempt me from PLAB?
Yes, once you hold the full MRCOG. The GMC lists it as an acceptable postgraduate qualification for registration, ideally awarded within three years of the GMC approving your application.
Have a question about MRCOG or working abroad in O&G? Contact us.
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