RCPA BPS Exam study plan

Build a one-page mechanism map linking each reversible and irreversible cell injury pathway to its morphological hallmark

Distinguish necrosis subtypes from apoptosis on written vignettes by naming the defining biochemical and histological feature for each

Explain the four classical adaptations (hypertrophy, hyperplasia, metaplasia, atrophy) and give one organ example of each with its driving stimulus

Trace the acute inflammatory response step by step from vasodilatation through leukocyte margination, adhesion, transmigration, and chemotaxis

Classify the chemical mediators of inflammation by source and principal action without consulting notes

Identify the major tissue types and their subtypes on written histological descriptions, stating the discriminating features used

Describe the phases of wound healing by first and second intention and predict which phase is impaired in given clinical scenarios

Compare regeneration with repair by fibrosis and list the tissue-specific determinants of each outcome

Explain granulomatous inflammation, naming the cell types, cytokine drivers, and the principal differential causes

Predict the systemic effects of inflammation and the acute-phase response from a described cytokine profile

Sequence the multistep model of carcinogenesis, assigning initiating, promoting, and progressing events to named examples

Distinguish oncogenes from tumour suppressor genes and explain the two-hit concept with a specific inherited cancer syndrome

Outline the hallmarks of cancer and match each hallmark to one plausible therapeutic target

Describe the molecular steps of invasion and the metastatic cascade, including the seed-and-soil concept and routes of spread

Interpret a described genetic variant by classifying it as missense, nonsense, frameshift, splice-site, or copy-number change and stating the predicted effect

Draw the coagulation cascade and explain how laboratory tests (PT, APTT, fibrinogen, D-dimer) localise a described defect

Differentiate the inherited and acquired thrombophilias by their mechanism and the clinical pattern that suggests each

Explain platelet adhesion, activation, and aggregation and identify the defect in described qualitative platelet disorders

Classify hypersensitivity reactions with one named disease example per type and the effector mechanism involved

Compare primary immunodeficiency, secondary immunodeficiency, and autoimmune disease by the branch of immunity affected

Classify bacteria by Gram stain, morphology, and oxygen requirement and link each class to a representative pathogen

Explain the principal virulence factors of bacteria and how each contributes to tissue damage

Describe the pathogenesis, transmission route, and diagnostic specimen for the major bacterial, viral, fungal, and protozoal pathogens named in the syllabus

Compare sterilisation, disinfection, and antisepsis and select the appropriate method for a described scenario

Interpret given microbiology results (culture, serology, nucleic acid testing) and state the most likely organism

Explain the physiological regulation of sodium, potassium, water, and acid-base balance and predict the derangement from a described lab panel

Calculate the anion gap and the osmolal gap and use each to narrow a differential diagnosis

Describe lipid and lipoprotein metabolism and classify the dyslipidaemias by the underlying defect

Outline carbohydrate metabolism and distinguish the mechanisms of type 1 and type 2 diabetes and their acute metabolic complications

Explain calcium, phosphate, and magnesium homeostasis and relate parathyroid and vitamin D disorders to their biochemical pattern

Link each major organ system's common diseases to the underlying cellular and molecular mechanism

Compare the pathological mechanisms of ischaemic, toxic, and immune-mediated organ injury using cardiac and renal examples

Explain the mechanisms of anaemia, thrombosis, and haemorrhage in the context of systemic disease

Describe the pathological basis of the major lung, liver, and gastrointestinal disease patterns and their complications

Predict the organ system affected from a described constellation of pathological findings

Consolidate all nine domains into a single revision map that shows the mechanistic links between them

Complete a timed full-length mock examination under exam conditions and record the score by domain

Analyse every incorrect mock answer and write the corrected reasoning for each

Re-test the two weakest domains with fresh self-written questions and compare scores with the mock

Finalise a one-page pre-exam recall sheet of high-yield mechanisms and values