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Free DRCOG Practice Questions

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Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the DRCOG practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

  1. 1A woman has a solitary painless vulval ulcer after a new sexual relationship. Which infection is most consistent with this primary lesion?

    1. A.Genital herpes
    2. B.SyphilisCorrect answer: B
    3. C.Genital warts
    4. D.Molluscum contagiosum

    Explanation: The NHS describes early syphilis as "small sores (ulcers) on your penis, vagina, or around your bottom (anus) – these are usually painless and you may only have one of them". This fits a solitary painless ulcer; herpes typically produces blisters and painful sores, whereas warts and molluscum are raised lesions. Testing is needed to confirm the diagnosis.

    Reference: NHS Syphilis — Symptoms of syphilis

  2. 2A woman asks why her cervical mucus becomes more slippery near ovulation. Which change helps sperm pass through the cervix at this time?

    1. A.The mucus becomes thinnerCorrect answer: A
    2. B.The mucus becomes thicker
    3. C.The mucus becomes more acidic
    4. D.The mucus forms a firmer plug

    Explanation: The source states, "When you're ovulating, mucus in your cervix becomes thinner so sperm can swim through it more easily." Thinning improves sperm passage. Thickening and plug formation impede passage; increased acidity does not explain the fertile mucus described.

    Reference: NHS Infertility causes — Cervical mucus problems

  3. 3At four weeks of pregnancy, a patient asks what initially nourishes the embryo before the placenta is established. Which structure provides this early nourishment?

    1. A.The amniotic sac
    2. B.The yolk sacCorrect answer: B
    3. C.The chorionic cavity
    4. D.The cervical canal

    Explanation: The source states, "attached to a tiny yolk sac that provides all the nourishment it needs." At this early stage the yolk sac supplies nourishment. The fluid-filled amniotic sac protects the embryo; the cavity and cervical canal do not provide this nutritional function.

    Reference: NHS Pregnancy week 4 — What does my baby look like?

  4. 4A healthy woman planning pregnancy has no indication for high-dose folate. What daily folic acid dose should she start before conception and continue through the first 12 weeks?

    1. A.100 micrograms daily
    2. B.400 micrograms dailyCorrect answer: B
    3. C.1000 micrograms daily
    4. D.5000 micrograms daily

    Explanation: The source states, "400 micrograms of folic acid every day" This is the routine dose for a person without a higher-dose indication. The lower dose is insufficient and higher doses are not the standard routine recommendation asked for.

    Reference: NHS Pregnancy vitamins and supplements — Folic acid in pregnancy

  5. 5A healthy woman chooses planned caesarean birth, with no indication for earlier delivery. Around what gestation should the operation usually be scheduled?

    1. A.At or soon after 37 weeks
    2. B.At or soon after 38 weeks
    3. C.At or soon after 39 weeksCorrect answer: C
    4. D.At or soon after 41 weeks

    Explanation: The source states, "You will usually be offered a date at or soon after 39 weeks of pregnancy." In the absence of another indication, this timing reduces neonatal breathing problems associated with earlier planned caesarean delivery. The other weeks do not match the usual recommended scheduling.

    Reference: RCOG Considering a caesarean birth — If I choose to give birth by caesarean, when will it be done?

  6. 6Before a non-emergency gynaecological procedure in England, an adult understands the risks and can decide, but agrees only because a relative is pressuring her. Which requirement for valid consent is missing?

    1. A.A voluntary decisionCorrect answer: A
    2. B.Information about risks
    3. C.Decision-making capacity
    4. D.Written documentation

    Explanation: The source states, "voluntary – the decision to either consent or not to consent to treatment must be made by the person, and must not be influenced by pressure from medical staff, friends or family" Understanding and capacity do not correct coercion. The pressure undermines voluntariness; lack of risk information or capacity is not described, and a written form alone cannot establish valid consent.

    Reference: NHS Consent to treatment — Defining consent

  7. 7A seven-year-old girl has begun developing breasts and other signs of puberty. How should this timing be classified under NHS guidance?

    1. A.Early pubertyCorrect answer: A
    2. B.Usual-timing puberty
    3. C.Delayed puberty
    4. D.Absent puberty

    Explanation: The source states, "If signs of puberty start before the age of 8 years, this could be early puberty." Seven is below the stated boundary, warranting evaluation for early puberty rather than usual timing, delayed onset or absent puberty.

    Reference: NHS Early or delayed puberty — Symptoms of early or delayed puberty

  8. 8A GP refers a patient with fresh genital blisters for confirmation of suspected genital herpes. Which sample directly tests the visible lesion?

    1. A.A midstream urine specimen
    2. B.A cervical cytology specimen
    3. C.A swab of fluid from a blisterCorrect answer: C
    4. D.A venous serum specimen

    Explanation: The NHS describes the clinic using a swab "to take some fluid from 1 of your blisters or sores for testing". The fresh blister provides the lesion sample. Urine, cervical cytology and serum do not sample the visible blister for this diagnostic approach.

    Reference: NHS Genital herpes — What happens at a sexual health clinic

  9. 9A patient with a regular 28-day cycle asks when ovulation usually occurs relative to her NEXT period. What timing is most appropriate for counselling?

    1. A.About 7 days beforehand
    2. B.About 14 days beforehandCorrect answer: B
    3. C.About 21 days beforehand
    4. D.About 28 days beforehand

    Explanation: The source states, "This is usually about 14 days before the start of your next period but depends on how long your menstrual cycle is." Fourteen days before the next period is the approximate timing, rather than a universal fixed date for every cycle. The other intervals misplace ovulation in this regular cycle.

    Reference: NHS Trying to get pregnant — How long it takes to get pregnant

  10. 10During counselling about early development, a patient asks what the embryo's outer layer will later form to supply oxygen and nutrients. Which structure is being described?

    1. A.The amnion
    2. B.The yolk sac
    3. C.The neural tube
    4. D.The placentaCorrect answer: D

    Explanation: The source states, "The outer layer will later develop into the placenta and provide your baby with oxygen and nutrients." The outer layer contributes to the placenta. The amnion, yolk sac and neural tube have different developmental roles.

    Reference: NHS Pregnancy week 4 — What does my baby look like?

Exam Review

About DRCOG

DRCOG · GB

Key exam facts

Provider
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), examination owner and awarding body; Pearson VUE provides computer-based test centres.
Format
One computer-based examination of single best answer (SBA) questions, delivered at Pearson VUE centres in the UK or Republic of Ireland.
Exam questions
Total questions: 120.
Time limit
Three hours for the examination.
Passing score
No fixed pass score or quota. A modified Angoff standard-setting method sets the pass mark for each examination according to question difficulty.
Exam fee
GBP £578 including VAT for a UK test centre; £482 for the Republic of Ireland. The DRCOG fees page labels these Fees 2027. Banding follows test-centre location, not residence. The central booking page displays the same amounts under a 2026 heading; use the explicitly year-labelled specialist fees page for 2027 and do not infer historic fees.

Topics covered

  • Module 1: The individual seeking fertility regulation and sexual health assessment

    • The epidemiology, aetiology, symptoms, signs and management of sexually transmitted infections (e.g. chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, genital herpes, genital warts, Hepatitis B and C, trichomoniasis, HIV and AIDS, molluscum, pubic lice)
    • The principles of STI screening and contact tracing
    • The assessment, causes and management of abnormal vaginal discharge (e.g. candida albicans, bacterial vaginosis, trichomonas vaginalis)
    • The use of vaccination (including the HPV vaccination programme) and pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis
    • The risks, benefits, side-effects and actions of emergency, reversible and irreversible contraceptive choices at various stages of fertile life including knowledge of the UK MEC guidance
    • The management of patients with contraceptive problems (e.g. unscheduled bleeding, mood changes, headaches, loss of libido, infection with IUCD, lost coil threads)
    • Cervical screening, HPV testing and the principles of assessment, management and follow-up of abnormal smear tests (dyskaryosis)
    • Strategies for assessment and management of sexual problems including dyspareunia
    • Assessment and management of gender dysphoria, transgender and non-binary individuals
    • The epidemiology, pathways and options for termination of pregnancy including medical, surgical and early medical abortion at home (EMAH). A knowledge of the ethical and legal frameworks, and the risks and management of potential complications
    • The pathways and issues to consider for suspected rape, sexual assault and sexual abuse

  • Module 2: The couple with subfertility

    • The principles behind normal human fertility
    • The incidence, causes and epidemiology of subfertility
    • Investigations for the infertile couple
    • Management pathways for male and female subfertility
    • Ovulation induction
    • Understanding of assisted reproductive technologies (e.g. intrauterine insemination, in vitro fertilisation, intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection, donor insemination, egg donation, pre-gestational testing, surrogacy)
    • The social and psychological aspects of infertility

  • Module 3: The woman in early pregnancy

    • The principles of implantation and early pregnancy development
    • Causes, investigation and management of nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy
    • Causes and investigation of pain and bleeding in early pregnancy
    • The prognosis and management of threatened miscarriage
    • The definition, classification, risk factors and management of early pregnancy loss
    • The risk factors, management and prognosis of ectopic pregnancy
    • The management pathways for pregnancy of unknown location
    • Understanding of molar pregnancy, its presentation, management, prognosis and follow-up
    • The causes, investigation, outcomes and management of recurrent miscarriage
    • The psychological aspects of early pregnancy loss

  • Module 4: The pregnant woman

    • The principles of pre-conception care including management and optimisation of long term health conditions, provision of assistance in ceasing risky behaviours (e.g. smoking and alcohol excess), promotion of healthy behaviours and identification / counselling of women at increased risk of genetic abnormalities
    • The booking appointment and care planning with multidisciplinary teams
    • Antenatal screening including non-invasive pre-natal testing (NIPT) and invasive testing for diagnosis of chromosomal abnormalities and structural defects
    • Routine antenatal care, pregnancy monitoring paradigms and prevention of rhesus isoimmunisation
    • The social aspects of pregnancy (e.g. substance misuse, obesity, problems associated with pregnancy at extremes of reproductive age, cultural differences, domestic violence)
    • The principles of safe prescribing and therapeutics in pregnancy
    • Multiple pregnancy and breech presentation and its associated risks and management pathways
    • The assessment and management of common pre-existing medical disorders in pregnancy (e.g. hypertension, diabetes, epilepsy, thyroid dysfunction, autoimmune disease, asthma, thromboembolism, haemoglobinopathies, mental health problems)
    • An understanding of problems developing in pregnancy, their impact, diagnosis, management and health consequences (e.g. pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, antepartum haemorrhage, placenta praevia, intrauterine growth restriction, pre-labour rupture of membranes, pre-term labour, late miscarriage, reduced fetal movements)
    • Relevant infections encountered in pregnancy, their risks and management (e.g. CMV, parvovirus, chickenpox, Hepatitis B and C, HIV, Group B Streptococcus, Zika virus, rubella, SARS Cov-2)

  • Module 5: The peripartum woman and the neonate

    • Understand the indications for mode of delivery
    • The principles of induction and augmentation of labour
    • The options of anaesthesia and analgesia in labour and at delivery
    • The principles and management of normal delivery
    • Strategies for monitoring of fetal wellbeing
    • Infection control policies
    • An overview of common obstetric procedures (e.g. caesarean section, assisted delivery) and their possible complications
    • Understanding of the risks factors for and management of common obstetric emergencies (e.g. collapse, eclampsia, post-partum haemorrhage, shoulder dystocia, thromboembolism, stillbirth)
    • The routine postnatal check – the baby, maternal mental health and perineal care
    • Supporting breast-feeding and breast care including management of mastitis and abscess formation
    • The neonatal examination and common neonatal problems
    • The risks, symptoms, signs and management of postpartum psychiatric disorders
    • Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Deaths (CEMD) and Mothers and Babies: Reducing Risk through Audits and Confidential Enquiries across UK (MBRRACE – UK) – an overview

  • Module 6: The girl/woman presenting with emergency or urgent gynaecological problems

    • Understanding the ethical and legal framework of informed / valid consent and confidentiality (including Adults With Incapacity Act)
    • An appreciation of the importance of pre-operative evaluation, safe inpatient care, post-operative management, enhanced recovery pathways and post-operative advice in the community
    • The causes, investigation and management of acute lower abdominal and pelvic pain (including ovarian cysts, pelvic inflammatory disease and endometriosis)
    • The investigation of abdominal pain and bloating including recommendations for screening for ovarian malignancy with serum CA125 estimation
    • The epidemiology, risk factors, investigations and management of postmenopausal bleeding
    • The epidemiology, symptoms and signs, investigations, referral pathways and management of suspected ovarian, cervical, endometrial and vulval malignancy

  • Module 7: The girl/woman presenting with non-urgent gynaecological problems

    • The epidemiology and physiology or normal female pubertal development and its disorders
    • The causes, investigation, diagnosis, risks and management of primary and secondary amenorrhoea or oligomenorrhoea (e.g. polycystic ovary syndrome, hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism, premature ovarian insufficiency, hyperprolactinaemia)
    • The aetiology and management of primary and secondary dysmenorrhoea
    • The identification and management of cervical ectopy and cervical polyps
    • The impact and legal framework involved in female genital mutilation (FGM) and the management of FGM, including a knowledge of child protection issues
    • The causes, risks, assessment and management of abnormal uterine bleeding, including heavy menstrual, inter-menstrual and post-coital bleeding (e.g. uterine fibroids, endometrial and cervical polyps, endometrial hyperplasia, coagulopathy, cervical ectopy)
    • The causes, investigation and management of chronic pelvic pain
    • The investigation and management of ovarian pathology
    • The epidemiology, causes, investigations and management of urinary symptoms including urinary incontinence and painful bladder syndrome
    • The causes, risk factors, diagnosis and management of uterovaginal prolapse
    • The diagnosis and management of pre-menstrual syndrome
    • The epidemiology, physiology and symptoms of the menopause and the use of management strategies - including the use and risks of hormone replacement therapy, the management of atrophic vaginitis and management of osteopenia and osteoporosis
    • Identification, risks and management of vulval dermatoses
    • An overview of commonly performed gynaecological procedures including their risks, benefits and complications (e.g. hysteroscopy, laparoscopy, hysterectomy)

How to prepare

Work through the topics, read the explanation after each answer, and revisit the areas where you miss questions. Use the official outline and reference materials below to guide your study.

These independent practice questions are not actual exam items and do not guarantee a passing result.

Frequently asked questions

What is the exam format?

One computer-based examination of single best answer (SBA) questions, delivered at Pearson VUE centres in the UK or Republic of Ireland.

How many questions are on the exam?

Total questions: 120.

How long is the exam?

Three hours for the examination.

What is the passing score?

No fixed pass score or quota. A modified Angoff standard-setting method sets the pass mark for each examination according to question difficulty.

How much does the exam cost?

GBP £578 including VAT for a UK test centre; £482 for the Republic of Ireland. The DRCOG fees page labels these Fees 2027. Banding follows test-centre location, not residence. The central booking page displays the same amounts under a 2026 heading; use the explicitly year-labelled specialist fees page for 2027 and do not infer historic fees.

Official sources and references

Confirm current exam arrangements with the exam provider.