FCPS Part-1
FCPS Part-I
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FCPS Part-I is the first examination stage in the Fellowship programme of the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan (CPSP), a postgraduate medical college that awards fellowships across medical, surgical and dental disciplines. Part-I is the entry gate: candidates sit it before progressing into structured specialty training, so it is intended for medical graduates who have chosen a specialty faculty and are working toward Fellowship status. CPSP's Examination Department describes its formats as developed by the relevant faculties and updated periodically, so the exact paper pattern and syllabus for any sitting are set by the faculty prospectus and revised notifications rather than by a single fixed blueprint. Broadly, Part-I tests the basic and clinical sciences underpinning the chosen specialty. Theory papers are marked objectively: multiple choice answer sheets are optically scanned, and short essay questions are each scored independently by a pair of examiners, with the average of their two scores assigned to the candidate. Clinical components of most CPSP examinations are held at Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad. Preparation should therefore combine the specialty curriculum's basic-science foundations with applied clinical reasoning, plus timed practice on MCQ and short-essay formats. Always confirm eligibility, pattern and schedule through CPSP's own prospectus, examination schedule and notifications.
What you'll study
About FCPS Part-1 preparation
What exactly is FCPS Part-I?
It is the first examination of the CPSP Fellowship pathway, taken before specialty training proper. CPSP's Examination Department conducts postgraduate examinations in medical, surgical and dental disciplines on behalf of the College, and examination formats are developed by the relevant faculties and updated from time to time.
Who should sit FCPS Part-I?
Medical graduates who intend to pursue a CPSP Fellowship in a chosen specialty. Confirm your eligibility against the specialty prospectus, since CPSP states that eligibility criteria for its examinations are given in the specialty prospectus provided on the trainee e-portal, together with revised notifications.
What is the exam format?
CPSP describes MCQ answer sheets being optically scanned by computer, and short essay questions in theory examinations being marked by a pair of examiners who score independently, with the average awarded. The precise paper pattern for your specialty is set out in the prospectus and revised notifications, so verify it there.
How is marking kept fair?
CPSP states that in theory and clinical examinations no single person has sole authority over a candidate's fate. Each short essay question and each clinical examination part is conducted by a pair of examiners scoring independently, and the average of the two scores is assigned, without the examiners consulting each other.
Where are the examinations held?
CPSP lists its head office at Karachi plus regional offices including Quetta, Hyderabad, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, Nawabshah, Larkana, Multan, Bahawalpur, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Abbottabad, Kathmandu (Nepal) and Riyadh (Saudi Arabia). Clinical components of most examinations are held at Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad.
How many exams does CPSP run each year?
The Examination Department states that it conducts over 170 examinations every year across its disciplines, at the head office and regional offices. Individual FCPS Part-I sittings are scheduled within that calendar; check the published examination schedule for FCPS-I rather than assuming a date.
How long is the exam, and what is the pass mark?
These details are not stated in the source material available here, so treat any figure you hear informally with caution. CPSP directs candidates to the specialty prospectus and revised notifications for examination patterns, and the examination schedule for dates. Confirm timing and scoring through CPSP directly.
Can I retake it if I fail, and how many attempts are allowed?
The available CPSP source material does not state a retake policy or attempt limit for FCPS Part-I. Because rules can change between sessions, check the current prospectus and any revised notifications, or contact the Examination Department, before planning a repeat attempt.
What is the best study order?
Start with the basic sciences that underpin your chosen specialty, since these form the foundation the paper tests, then layer on clinical application and integrated reasoning. Finish with timed practice on both MCQ and short-essay formats, because essay answers are independently double-marked and reward precise, structured content.
What are the most common failure modes?
Two recur: neglecting basic-science fundamentals in favour of scattered clinical trivia, and poor exam technique, such as vague short essays that give independent examiners little to credit. Build recall first, then practise concise structured answers and timed MCQ sets under realistic conditions.