GUIDELINES FOR FCPS-I IN MEDICINE & ALLIED

Aoa all
While I was preparing fr my part one,I pledged to myself that Im going to write down my experience
with probably(or rather definitely) the most challenging exam Ive taken till date.
BOOKS REQUIRED

USMLE First Aid(Latest Edition)

Physiology: BRS Physiology (+Jaypee Physiology,if and wherever u feel the concept is lacking). It
is a truly awesome book. The key is not to over-exert yourself for this subject yet be very clear
about basic concepts n facts of physiology.

Pathology: BRS Pathology+ Golgans pathology (For Hematology n Hepatobiliary system

).Pathology is very important esp for paper 2 of Medicine in which you get scenarios. As
Medicine is Patho+Pharma,soits better to invest a good deal of time in studying Pathology;with
special emphasis on Renal n Endocrine systems.

Gross Anatomy: Snells Anatomy review

Big Snell for Abdomen + Pelvis Section(V. important for Medicine ppl)

As regards limbs, Joint types are very important. Also are nerves(courses, branches etc), Arteries,
veins, Lymphatics.

Histology: Selected topics from Laeeqs HistologyFor reference of what to do, see Murads
questions of Histology Section and do those topics
Also do the epithelium n glands chapter in Laeeqs.

Embryology: Cover to cover 2-3 readings; last reading should be 1-2 days before examV.v
Important

Neuroanatomy: I did from Hi-yield neuroanatomy. Some ppl do it from Kaplans Neuroanatomy.
But I found Hi-yield sufficient. Especially important chapters are spinal cord n Brain stem
(+injuries), Blood supply, Spinal tracts, n Receptors (V important). Dont leave any chapter. U
might get MCQs from basal ganglia, limbic system, cerebellum, hypothalamus/thalamus too. Get
hold of Snells Neuroanatomy n do the chapter on brain stem cross sections from there, so that
u get an idea that which structures lie at which level.

Pharmacology: General Pharma from Kaplans; Special Pharma from First Aid is sufficient.

Microbiology: First Aid more than enough. Multiple reads required as the subject is really
volatile. Do memorize all facts given in First Aid.

Immunology: First Aid

Biostat: First Aid + Murad MCQs of Biostats

MCQ books: THE MOST important component of prep is the MCQ books. Get the latest editions
of these. I did Murad n Chandkians and out of these two,I found the former better and
comparatively more accurate. My Advice: Dont miss out on Asim n Shoaib (I heard from my
friends after the ppr that several questions in the paper actually were given in this book n not
the others)
Needless to say, all MCQ Books have lot many mistakes. Ideally, near the exam u should be able
to identify by urself which questions are wrongly answered in the MCQ books.

TIME REQUIRED
Varies from person to person!!
On an average time for prep varies from 2 to 6 months. There is no hard n fast rule. The target should be
that you are able to

to all other books

-70% of MCQ books questions correctly , in the first go.

PAST PAPERS
Do practice last 3 past papers from Net.
That for the coming exam means the past papers of Nov 2012, March 2013 and June 2013.
Link to the past papers:
http://docs.com/Docs/126923170736450

FACEBOOK PAGES
FCPS Q bank is the most popular one. U may join other groups. It does help.
3-MONTH STUDY PLAN (MY CASE INFACT!)
Month 1: Pharmacology, Pathology n physiology (from the books mentioned above)I used to do each
chapter n then give a read to the same topic from First Aid. Then, I added stuff from individual books to
my first Aid..It helps a lot during the last month, when u r doing just the first Aid and have no time to
revise the individual books.
Month 2: Anatomy including Embryo n Histo, Biochem, Biostats, Microbiology n Immunology
Month 3: First Aid revision plus MCQ booksMark the questions which u find difficult in the first
GoDuring the 2nd read, u can put more emphasis on memorizing these.
Last 1 week: Just MCQ books

The Key to Success is REVISION. Its really important as much of that knowledge is really volatile and to
make it sink in ur brain, youve got to go through everything at least thrice!!
It is said that FCPS-1 is a non-standardized exam, designed to fail rather than pass candidates. It is also
said that they test your luck rather than your knowledge. Sadly, this is true!!(to some extent, if not
completely).
It is normal to feel frustrated and at a loss, more so during the last few weeks...But I think, with
planning, hard-work n perseverance you can increase the chances of clearing this exam by manifolds.
Just stay away from PanicN Keep your spirits high!!
Good Luck!!
Dr.Noor ul Ain Azam