FCPS Part 1: Complete Guide - How to Apply, ePortal, Books & Preparation

What Is the FCPS Part 1 Exam?

The FCPS Part 1 exam is the first of two major examinations administered by the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan (CPSP) for doctors pursuing specialist postgraduate training in Pakistan. Passing FCPS Part 1 is a prerequisite for entering recognised CPSP training posts and for eventually sitting FCPS Part 2, which confers the Fellowship of the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan - one of the most respected postgraduate medical qualifications in the country.

FCPS Part 1 is a written examination consisting entirely of multiple-choice questions. It tests the basic sciences most relevant to the specialty you have chosen - anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, pathology, and microbiology, weighted according to the subject matter of your declared discipline. The examination is specialty-specific: a candidate sitting for FCPS Surgery faces a different paper from one sitting for FCPS Medicine or FCPS Paediatrics.

FCPS Part 1 Eligibility

To be eligible for the FCPS Part 1 examination, a candidate must:

• Hold an MBBS degree (or equivalent) from an institution recognised by PMDC/PMC
• Have completed internship and hold a valid PMC registration
• Have applied for the relevant CPSP specialty training programme (or intend to)

There is no minimum post-graduation experience required before sitting Part 1 - many candidates sit the examination shortly after completing internship, while studying alongside house job rotations.

How to Apply for FCPS Part 1 - CPSP ePortal

All FCPS Part 1 applications are submitted through the CPSP ePortal at eportal.cpsp.edu.pk. The CPSP ePortal is the central online system for all CPSP examination and training administration. To apply for FCPS Part 1 through the ePortal:

1. Register on the CPSP ePortal. Create a candidate account at eportal.cpsp.edu.pk using your CNIC and a valid email address.
2. Complete your profile. Upload your MBBS degree, PMC registration certificate, internship completion certificate, and a recent passport-size photograph.
3. Select your specialty and examination session. CPSP holds FCPS Part 1 examinations multiple times per year. Choose the session for which you are applying.
4. Pay the examination fee. The current fee is displayed on the portal. Payment is made online through the portal's payment gateway or via bank challan as directed.
5. Submit the form. Download and save your admission slip once the application is confirmed. You will need this on exam day.

Application windows typically open 6-8 weeks before the examination date and close 3-4 weeks before the examination. Keep an eye on the CPSP ePortal and official CPSP social media channels for exact opening and closing dates for each session.

FCPS Part 1 Exam Format

• Format: Multiple-choice questions - single best answer (SBA) and extended matching questions (EMQs) depending on the paper
• Number of questions: Varies by specialty - most papers are 100-200 questions
• Duration: 3 hours
• Passing mark: Set per session using standard setting (approximately 60-65%)
• Venue: CPSP examination centres in major cities - Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, Quetta, and others

FCPS Part 1 Books - What to Study

The right study resources depend on your specialty, but the most commonly recommended texts are:

• Anatomy: Snell's Clinical Anatomy, BD Chaurasia
• Physiology: Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology
• Biochemistry: Lippincott's Illustrated Reviews: Biochemistry, Harper's Illustrated Biochemistry
• Pharmacology: Lippincott's Illustrated Reviews: Pharmacology, Katzung and Trevor's Pharmacology
• Pathology: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease
• Microbiology: Jawetz, Melnick and Adelberg's Medical Microbiology

In addition to these texts, candidates widely use past-paper MCQ collections. Murad MCQs for FCPS Part 1 (often searched as Murad MCQs FCPS 1 PDF) is a popular Pakistan-specific MCQ book that compiles recalled questions from previous FCPS Part 1 papers. While these recalled question collections are useful for familiarising yourself with the examination style and identifying recurring high-yield topics, they should complement - not replace - thorough understanding of the underlying basic sciences. CPSP updates its question bank regularly, and relying solely on recalled questions is a high-risk strategy.

How to Prepare for FCPS Part 1

• Build the conceptual foundation first. FCPS Part 1 questions test application of basic science knowledge, not raw recall. Understand mechanisms - why a drug works, how a pathological process unfolds - rather than memorising lists.
• Use a QBank for daily MCQ practice. Active recall through MCQ practice is the most efficient way to consolidate learning. Aim for at least 50-100 questions per day in the months before your examination.
• Review explanations, not just answers. Every question you get wrong is an opportunity to identify a gap in your understanding. Work through the explanation until the concept makes sense.
• Do full-length timed practice in the final weeks. Sitting 200 questions under time pressure is physically and mentally demanding. Build that stamina before exam day, not on exam day.

Practice FCPS Part 1 MCQs on HighYield

HighYield's FCPS Part 1 QBank offers clinical and basic science vignette MCQs with detailed explanations across the subjects tested in the FCPS Part 1 examination. Use Tutor mode during your preparation phase and switch to Timed mode as your examination approaches. Your first 50 questions are free.