SZABMU MD / MS vs FCPS Part 1: How the Entry Exams Differ
SZABMU MD/MS Part-I and CPSP FCPS Part 1 are different entry routes to postgraduate training. How the exam structure, body and preparation differ.
Many graduates sit both a university residency exam and FCPS Part 1. They are separate routes run by separate bodies, so it helps to know what each tests. This comparison sticks to what the published documents state.
The Two Routes
| SZABMU MD / MS Part-I | FCPS Part 1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Conducted by | Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University | College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan (CPSP) |
| Degree it leads to | MD / MS (university residency, with thesis) | FCPS fellowship (CPSP training) |
| Written format | Two papers, 100 single-best-answer MCQs each | MCQ papers in basic sciences and the specialty |
| Paper I content | Anatomy 30%, physiology 30%, pathology 20%, biochemistry 10%, pharmacology 10% | Basic sciences, as set by CPSP |
| Paper II content | Applied medicine or applied surgery by blueprint | Specialty paper by discipline |
| Result validity | Part-I valid for two years | Set by CPSP; check the current policy |
Is the Preparation Transferable?
Largely yes for the basic sciences: anatomy, physiology, pathology, biochemistry and pharmacology are tested at similar depth in both. The specialty paper differs, since SZABMU's Paper II is a broad applied medicine or surgery paper weighted by topic. That is why our SZABMU banks include FCPS Part 1 basic-science questions (marked with their source) and why the FCPS Part 1 banks such as Medicine and Surgery are useful if you are sitting both.
Choosing Where to Spend Your Time
Apply to whichever programmes you are eligible for and prepare Paper I once. Then use the SZABMU MD QBank or SZABMU MS QBank for the SZABMU Paper II and the matching FCPS bank for the CPSP specialty paper. Browse all postgraduate banks on the Post-Grad question banks page, and read the SZABMU pattern and weightage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sit both exams?
They are separate exams run by separate bodies, so you can sit both if you meet each one's eligibility conditions.
Does the same question bank work for both?
The basic-sciences practice transfers. For the specialty paper, use the SZABMU Paper II topics for SZABMU and the FCPS specialty bank for CPSP.
Always check each body's current notification for exam dates, validity and eligibility.
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