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Obstetrics & gynaecology · Exam preparation
FCOG Part I.Make revision count.
Make the basic sciences behind obstetrics and gynaecology connect. 1,000 questions mapped to the FCOG(SA) Primary blueprint, each with an explained answer and a textbook reference.
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FCOG Part IQuestion & explanation
Cardiovascular changes in pregnancy
A healthy primigravida has serial haemodynamic measurements. Her cardiac output has risen from about 4.5 L/min before pregnancy to about 6 L/min at 28 weeks, while her resting heart rate has risen only from 80 to 90 beats/min. Which change accounts for most of the rise in cardiac output?
A
An increase in heart rate
B
A rise in systemic vascular resistance
C
A rise in mean arterial pressure
D
An increase in stroke volume · Correct
Understand why.
Cardiac output rises by about 40% in pregnancy whereas heart rate rises by only about 10%, so the remainder must come from a larger stroke volume. Systemic vascular resistance falls rather than rises, and arterial pressure does not increase in normal pregnancy.
Bennett & Williamson (4th ed), Ch 10 Physiology
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Exam at a glance
What is the FCOG Part 1 exam?
The FCOG(SA) Part I (Primary) is the basic-science exam of the Fellowship of the College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, run by the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA). It is one 3-hour digital paper of 150 single-best-answer questions with no oral, weighted across 14 subjects in the CMSA blueprint.
Last checked 1 October 2026 against the official CMSA page · blueprint (PDF) · syllabus (PDF). Certiva is independent of the CMSA, so always confirm details there.
Read the full FCOG Part 1 guide: blueprint, textbooks and a 12-week plan →
| Official name | FCOG(SA) Part I (Primary) |
|---|---|
| Run by | Colleges of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA) |
| Papers | 1 digital written paper, no oral |
| Question format | Single best answer |
| Questions and content | 150 questions: Anatomy 18, Embryology 8, Physiology 15, Endocrinology 15, Immunology 8, Cell biology 8, Basic physics/technical gynaecology 8, Public health 6, Pathology 15, Microbiology/virology 14, Pharmacology 8, Pathophysiology 15, Statistics 6, Bioethics 6 |
| Duration | 3 hours |
| CMSA exam fee | R12,950 (at last check) |
| When it is written | Two written semesters a year: usually February/March and July/August. Check the CMSA timetable for exact dates. |
| Past papers | Not published since 2021: questions stay in a secure CMSA bank. |
| Certiva bank | 1,000 explained, referenced questions and two timed mocks |
Your syllabus
coverage.
Build the foundations of O&G practice. Explore the topics covered by this question bank and their source references.
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14 topic sections
Anatomy
Bony pelvis, obstetric pelvis & fetal skull · Pelvic floor & perineum · Uterus, cervix, tubes & ovaries · Vulva & vagina · Urinary tract · Lower bowel & anal canal · and more
Source references: Bennett & Williamson Ch 5 Applied anatomy; Gray's Anatomy for Students, Pelvis and Perineum
Practice this topicEmbryology & Fetal Physiology
Gametogenesis & fertilisation · Implantation & early development · Placenta, membranes & amniotic fluid · Organogenesis · Urogenital & sexual differentiation · Birth defects & teratogenesis · and more
Source references: Bennett & Williamson Ch 3-4; Langman's Medical Embryology Ch 2-6, 8, 9, 13, 15, 16; Guyton & Hall Ch 84
Practice this topicCell Biology & Genetics
Cell structure & function · DNA, genes & protein synthesis · Cell cycle, mitosis & meiosis · Chromosomal disorders · Single-gene & multifactorial inheritance · Genetic testing & prenatal diagnosis
Source references: Bennett & Williamson Ch 1–2 (with Ch 9); Robbins Ch 4 (and Ch 6 cell cycle); Langman Ch 2 & 9
Practice this topicPhysiology
Cardiovascular changes in pregnancy · Respiratory changes in pregnancy · Renal, fluids & acid–base · Blood, haemostasis & blood groups · Gastrointestinal, liver & nutrition · Labour, parturition & puerperium · and more
Source references: Bennett & Williamson Ch 9–10; Guyton & Hall Ch 72, 83
Practice this topicEndocrinology
Hormone principles & steroidogenesis · Hypothalamus & pituitary · Menstrual cycle & ovulation · Puberty & menopause · Male reproductive endocrinology · Placental hormones & hCG · and more
Source references: Bennett & Williamson Ch 11; Guyton & Hall Ch 75–76, 81–82
Practice this topicImmunology
Innate immunity · Adaptive immunity & antibodies · Immunology of pregnancy · Red cell alloimmunisation · Hypersensitivity, autoimmunity & transplantation
Source references: Bennett & Williamson Ch 8 Immunology (primary); Guyton & Hall Ch 34, 35, 36; Robbins & Kumar Ch 5 Diseases of the Immune System
Practice this topicPhysics & Technical Gynaecology
Ultrasound principles · Ultrasound safety & image quality · Doppler · Radiation, X-rays & radioisotopes · Lasers & MRI
Source references: Bennett & Williamson (4th ed), Ch 13 Physics
Practice this topicGeneral Pathology
Cell injury, death & adaptation · Inflammation · Healing & repair · Thrombosis, embolism & haemodynamics · Shock & sepsis · Neoplasia · and more
Source references: Bennett & Williamson Ch 6; Robbins & Kumar Basic Pathology Chs 1, 2, 4
Practice this topicPathophysiology of O&G Disease
Pre-eclampsia & hypertensive disease · Haemorrhage, coagulopathy & thromboembolism in pregnancy · Diabetes & metabolic disease in pregnancy · Placental & fetal pathology · Trophoblastic disease & ectopic pregnancy · Benign gynaecological disease · and more
Source references: Robbins Basic Pathology Ch 3, 4, 10, 17; Bennett & Williamson Ch 4, 6, 10, 11; Guyton & Hall Ch 83-84; Langman Ch 9
Practice this topicMicrobiology & Virology
Bacterial structure, classification & diagnosis · Normal flora & genital tract infection · Sexually transmitted infections · Antibiotics & sterilisation · Fungi & parasites · Virology principles · and more
Source references: Bennett & Williamson Ch 7; Robbins & Kumar Ch 3, 17
Practice this topicPharmacology
Pharmacokinetics & pharmacodynamics · Drugs in pregnancy & teratogenesis · Placental transfer & lactation · Hormonal drugs & contraception · Drugs acting on the uterus · Antimicrobials & cytotoxics · and more
Source references: Bennett & Williamson Ch 12 Drugs and drug therapy
Practice this topicStatistics & Evidence-Based Medicine
Study design & bias · Sampling, distributions & descriptive statistics · Hypothesis testing, errors & power · Diagnostic & screening tests · Measures of effect & confidence intervals · Evidence-based medicine & trials
Source references: Bennett & Williamson Ch 14 (Statistics and evidence-based healthcare), Ch 15 (Clinical research methodology)
Practice this topicBioethics & Medico-Legal
Ethical principles & good practice · Informed consent & capacity · Confidentiality & disclosure · Minors & the Children's Act · Termination of pregnancy law
Source references: HPCSA Ethical Guidelines Booklets 1, 4, 5; Children's Act 38 of 2005 (ss110, 129-134); Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act 92 of 1996
Practice this topicPublic Health & Women's Health
Determinants of women's health · Maternal & perinatal mortality · Antenatal & postnatal care systems · HIV, syphilis & infection prevention in pregnancy · Gender-based violence, adolescents & vulnerable groups
Source references: SA National Integrated Maternal and Perinatal Care Guideline (2024)
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Mock 2
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What does the FCOG Part I Exam Pass include?
The full FCOG Part I question bank, teaching explanations, textbook or source references, topic practice, two timed mocks, chapter-level weakness tracking, smart revision and a readiness score. All three access periods have the same features. Free designated SAMA & UCT accredited CPD courses and the CV and cover-letter builder add value beyond revision.
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How does weakness tracking work?
Your latest completed topic sessions help highlight subtopics worth revisiting. Where enough answers are available, the tracker shows the topic, your accuracy and the associated source reference. Practice scores are study feedback, not a validated prediction of passing.
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For eligible 3-, 6- and 12-month Exam Passes, complete the full bank and every timed mock before the exam. Send your unsuccessful official result within 30 days of receiving it. Choose a refund or an access extension equal to your purchased pass. Read the full refund terms.
Is Certiva the official CMSA resource?
No. Certiva is independent exam preparation and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the CMSA. This page describes Certiva’s practice material, not official exam regulations. Check the CMSA website for current regulations, eligibility and exam dates.
What is the format of the FCOG Part 1 exam?
The FCOG(SA) Part I (Primary) is the basic-science exam of the Fellowship of the College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, run by the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA). It is one 3-hour digital paper of 150 single-best-answer questions with no oral, weighted across 14 subjects in the CMSA blueprint. See the full FCOG Part 1 guide for the blueprint and a study plan.
Can I get FCOG Part 1 past papers?
No. CMSA exams have been written online since 2021, and past papers are no longer published because the questions stay in a secure bank. A question bank mapped to the exam content, with explained answers, is the closest alternative. Try five questions free.