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About this exam

FCPS Part-I is the first examination step toward Fellowship of the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan, a postgraduate medical qualification awarded by CPSP, a body based in Karachi with regional centres across Pakistan and abroad. The credential is intended for medical graduates who are entering or preparing to enter CPSP training programmes; the College publishes a separate prospectus for each specialty, and the exam is administered under the Examinations Department. CPSP's public pages do not publish a single syllabus for Part-I. Instead, the College states that eligibility criteria and the pattern of theory and clinical examinations are given in the specialty prospectus on the trainee E-portal and in revised notifications, so candidates should treat the prospectus for their chosen specialty as the authoritative description of what the exam covers. Preparation therefore means working from that prospectus, using the competency-based curricula the College publishes, and practising with the online examination system demo the College provides for FCPS-I. Applications are submitted through the online exam application forms, and dates appear in the examination schedule for FCPS-I, FCPS-II, IMM and MCPS. This page is an independent study resource; it is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by CPSP, and candidates must confirm all procedural details on the official College website.

What you'll study

Common questions

About FCPS Part-I preparation

What exactly is FCPS Part-I?

It is the first theory stage of the FCPS pathway run by the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan. CPSP lists it alongside FCPS-II, IMM and MCPS in its online exam application forms and examination schedule. The detailed eligibility criteria and the pattern of theory and clinical examinations sit in the specialty prospectus on the trainee E-portal.

Who should sit FCPS Part-I?

Medical graduates intending to enter a CPSP specialty training programme. Because eligibility differs by specialty, check the prospectus for your chosen discipline on the trainee E-portal before applying. CPSP also publishes a notification on library membership eligibility specifically for FCPS Part-I candidates, which is worth reading if you plan to use College library resources.

What is the exam format and how many questions are there?

CPSP's public pages do not state a question count, time limit or pass mark for FCPS-I. The College directs candidates to the specialty prospectus and revised notifications for the pattern of theory and clinical examinations. Treat any specific figure you see elsewhere as unverified until you find it in those documents.

How do I apply and when are the exams held?

Applications go through the online exam application forms linked from the CPSP website, which cover FCPS-I, FCPS-II, IMM and MCPS. Sitting dates are published in the examination schedule for the same examinations. Check both pages close to your intended attempt, since dates and form availability change between sessions.

Can I practise the online exam system before test day?

Yes. CPSP provides an online exam demo, described on its site as a demo exam for FCPS-I, RTMC and the e-log book e-Portal. Use it to get comfortable with navigation and timing on screen, so that exam-day interface issues do not consume your thinking time.

How should I organise my revision?

Start from the specialty prospectus, since CPSP states that eligibility and the pattern of theory and clinical examinations are given there and in revised notifications. Then work through the competency-based curricula the College publishes. Build a topic list from those documents rather than from generic lists, and rehearse with the online demo.

What are the most common reasons candidates struggle?

Preparing from undifferentiated material instead of the specialty prospectus and curriculum, and neglecting applied clinical reasoning in favour of isolated facts. Because CPSP does not publish a single consolidated Part-I syllabus page, candidates who never open the prospectus risk studying the wrong depth or the wrong topics entirely.

If I fail, how soon can I retake, and how long is a pass valid?

CPSP's public pages do not state a retake policy, attempt limits or a validity period for FCPS Part-I. These rules, where they exist, would appear in the specialty prospectus or in revised notifications. Confirm with the College directly before planning repeat attempts or assuming a result remains valid indefinitely.

Does CPSP offer any financial support for exam preparation?

CPSP lists Qarz-e-Hasna schemes, including support for DME courses, laptops, IELTS tests and scholarships, with separate forms. These are College schemes with their own eligibility rules; read the relevant form and notification rather than assuming entitlement. They are not exam fee waivers unless the College states so.