Our blueprint estimate puts 10–15 of the 200 questions in statistics & epidemiology, about 6.3% of the paper, spread across both papers. It is our estimate, not a figure published by the RCOG. One of the heaviest-weighted areas on the paper.
10–15
of 200
10
in our syllabus map
measurement_manipulation
3 other areas
Statistics questions test whether you can read evidence, because that is what the exam later expects you to do with trial results and screening programmes. They reward fluent use of a small set of ideas more than memorised definitions.
The 10 syllabus topics we map to Statistics & Epidemiology for Part 1.
Sensitivity and specificity are properties of the test and do not change with prevalence; predictive values do. A two-by-two table drawn quickly resolves most questions.
Statistics and Epidemiology for MRCOG Data Interpretation for MRCOG Part 1
Know what each design can and cannot show. Case-control studies are efficient for rare outcomes and prone to recall bias. Lead-time bias can make a screening programme look effective when it is not.
Relative risk, odds ratio, absolute risk reduction and number needed to treat answer different questions. The number needed to treat is the reciprocal of the absolute risk reduction, and an odds ratio overstates a relative risk when the outcome is common.
Statistics and Epidemiology for MRCOG Data Interpretation for MRCOG Part 1
An interval for a ratio that includes one is not statistically significant. Screening programmes are judged against the Wilson-Jungner criteria and are best evaluated on mortality rather than survival.
Work through numbers, not definitions. Take any trial report and build the two-by-two table, compute each measure and say what it means in a sentence. Alternate between study design questions and calculation questions, so that neither goes stale. Finish each session by naming the bias most likely to affect the design you have just read about.
Part 1 is 200 single best answer questions across two papers with no negative marking, so an informed guess always beats a blank. Statistics is a high-yield area in our blueprint estimate and it overlaps with data interpretation, so the two reward being revised together. Practise with real tables, not just formulae.
Every question is original and written from published RCOG and NICE guidance, and every explanation cites the guideline it came from. Free: 5 days full access, then 50 questions. No card.
Published RCOG and NICE guidance summarised for revision, with the source cited on every page.
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