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- Every answer explained, with the exact textbook chapter, so you only read what you got wrong.
- 20 minutes a day, on your phone, planned week by week to your sitting.
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FCPaeds Part 1Question & explanation
Bilirubin metabolism & neonatal jaundice
Conjugation of bilirubin in the hepatocyte, which renders it water-soluble for biliary excretion, is catalysed by which enzyme?
A
Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase
B
Haem oxygenase
C
Pyruvate kinase
D
Uridine diphosphate glucuronyltransferase · Correct
Understand why.
Uridine diphosphate glucuronyltransferase (UGT) conjugates bilirubin with glucuronic acid, producing mainly bilirubin diglucuronide, which is water-soluble and can be excreted in bile. Reduced UGT activity (as in Crigler–Najjar or Gilbert syndromes) impairs conjugation. The other enzymes relate to red-cell metabolism or haem breakdown, not conjugation.
The Science of Paediatrics: MRCPCH Mastercourse · Neonatal medicine
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- Don’t know what’s next? A tracker that picks your next topic, made for 20-minute sessions on your phone
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- What if you don’t pass? A refund or more time
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How refund or more time works. The bank and the mock exams are the plan. Answer at least 60% of the question bank and do every mock exam before your sitting, with no minimum score. If you still don’t pass, send your result within 30 days and choose your money back or twice your pass length, free. Read the refund terms.
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Switch from learning by topic to a timed Certiva mock exam. Review your results after the paper and return to the areas that need work.
Mock exam 1
Included in your passPut your revision to the test in one uninterrupted, timed session.
Start mock exam 1Resume mock exam 175questions
3 hourstimed practice
Mock exam 2
Included in your passRehearse again after reviewing your weaker areas and explanations.
Start mock exam 2Resume mock exam 275questions
3 hourstimed practice
Same number of questions and time as one real CMSA paper. Mock exams require active access. For official exam formats and dates, consult the CMSA.
Your syllabus
coverage.
Build stronger paediatric foundations. Explore the topics covered by this question bank and their source references.
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14 topic sections
Neonatology
Surfactant biochemistry & initiation of respiration · Respiratory distress syndrome pathophysiology · Circulatory transition after birth · Bilirubin metabolism & neonatal jaundice · Phototherapy & treatment of jaundice · Thermoregulation & heat loss · and more
Source references: The Science of Paediatrics: MRCPCH Mastercourse · Perinatal medicine (Ch 10) & Neonatal medicine (Ch 11)
Practise this topicRespiratory
Surfactant physiology · Applied respiratory pathophysiology · Compliance & resistance · Control of respiration · Oxygen transport & dissociation curve · Ventilation–perfusion matching · and more
Source references: The Science of Paediatrics: MRCPCH Mastercourse · Respiratory medicine (and Neonatal/Perinatal medicine for surfactant)
Practise this topicCardiovascular
Cardiac cycle & cardiac output · Preload, afterload & contractility · Blood pressure & circulatory control · Shock pathophysiology · Basic ECG & conduction · Cardiac failure · and more
Source references: The Science of Paediatrics: MRCPCH Mastercourse · Cardiology (and Paediatric emergencies/Perinatal medicine for shock and fetal circulation)
Practise this topicGastrointestinal & Hepatology
Salivary digestion · Protein digestion in the stomach · Intrinsic factor and vitamin B12 · Gastric endocrine cells · Inhibitory gastric hormone · Neonatal gastric pH · and more
Source references: MRCPCH Mastercourse · Gastroenterology (p253); Hepatology (p403)
Practise this topicNephrology & Genitourinary
Renal functions & volume homeostasis · Nephron structure & ultrafiltration · Proximal tubular reabsorption · Sodium handling & blood pressure · Na/K-ATPase & secondary transport · Loop of Henle salt transport (Bartter) · and more
Source references: MRCPCH Mastercourse · Nephrology (p365); Genital disorders (p391)
Practise this topicEndocrine & Growth
Hormone principles & receptors · Hypothalamo-pituitary axis & growth hormone · Thyroid & parathyroid · Adrenal & cortisol · Gonads & sexual differentiation · Puberty · and more
Source references: The Science of Paediatrics: MRCPCH Mastercourse · Diabetes & endocrinology; Growth & puberty
Practise this topicNeurology
Central nervous system & cranial nerves · Blood supply & meninges · Plexuses & spinal nerves · Motor tone & reflexes · Sensory function & dermatomes · Cerebrospinal fluid · and more
Source references: The Science of Paediatrics: MRCPCH Mastercourse · Neurology
Practise this topicImmunology & Allergy
Innate versus adaptive immunity · Pattern recognition receptors · Lymphoreticular system · Spleen and encapsulated bacteria · Cellular versus humoral immunity · MHC class II and T-helper activation · and more
Source references: MRCPCH Mastercourse · Infection and immunity (p277, immune part); Allergy (p297)
Practise this topicHaematology & Oncology
Haematopoietic stem cells · Sites of haematopoiesis in development · Red cell structure & function · Haemoglobin structure · Fetal to adult haemoglobin switch · Globin chain composition · and more
Source references: MRCPCH Mastercourse · Haematology (p441); Oncology (p421)
Practise this topicFluids, Nutrition & Metabolism
Body water with maturation · Fluid compartment shift · Transepidermal water loss · Carbonic acid-bicarbonate buffer · Respiratory acidosis · Renal compensation · and more
Source references: MRCPCH Mastercourse · Nutrition (p233); acid-base & fluid compartments
Practise this topicGenetics & Cell Biology
Modes of inheritance · Chromosomal disorders · DNA/RNA & protein synthesis · Antenatal & prenatal diagnosis · Cell organelles & transport · Enzymes & metabolism · and more
Source references: The Science of Paediatrics: MRCPCH Mastercourse · Genetics (and Metabolic medicine, Perinatal/Neonatal medicine)
Practise this topicMicrobiology & Virology
Bacterial structure & classification · Bacterial toxins & pathogenesis · Gram-positive bacteria · Viruses including HIV · Parasites · Fungi · and more
Source references: The Science of Paediatrics: MRCPCH Mastercourse · Infection and immunity (and Gastroenterology, Paediatric emergencies)
Practise this topicPharmacology
Absorption & bioavailability · Neonatal pharmacokinetic differences · Distribution & protein binding · Biotransformation & metabolism · Excretion, clearance & half-life · Receptors & drug action · and more
Source references: The Science of Paediatrics: MRCPCH Mastercourse · Pharmacology and therapeutics (and Paediatric emergencies)
Practise this topicBiostatistics & EBM
Distributions & data shape · Measures of central tendency · Measures of dispersion (SD, variance, range) · Standard error & confidence intervals · Null hypothesis & p-values · Type I and II errors · and more
Source references: The Science of Paediatrics: MRCPCH Mastercourse · Statistics (Ch 38), Evidence-based paediatrics (Ch 39), Clinical research (Ch 37), Epidemiology (Ch 2)
Practise this topicNo matching topics. Try a broader subject or clear your search.
Your revision focus.
Topics below 60% with at least three first answers. A revision prompt, not an exam prediction.
Exam at a glance
What is the FCPaeds Part 1 exam?
The FC Paed(SA) Part I is the applied basic-science exam of the Fellowship of the College of Paediatricians, run by the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA). It is two 3-hour papers of 75 single-best-answer questions each, from anatomy and physiology through pharmacology to the principles of managing common paediatric conditions.
Last checked 1 October 2026 against the official CMSA page. Certiva is independent of the CMSA, so always confirm details there.
Read the full FCPaeds Part 1 guide: blueprint, textbooks and a 12-week plan →
| Official name | FC Paed(SA) Part I |
|---|---|
| Run by | Colleges of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA) |
| Papers | 2 papers |
| Question format | Single best response (A-type) MCQs |
| Questions and content | 75 questions per paper (150 total); applied basic clinical sciences: anatomy, embryology, physiology, biochemistry, pathology, microbiology, genetics, epidemiology, biostatistics, evidence-based medicine, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and diagnosis and principles of management of common paediatric conditions |
| Duration | 3 hours per paper |
| Eligibility | A qualification to practise medicine, plus proof of completing the Knowledge Hub online IMCI course (Certificate of Achievement) |
| CMSA exam fee | R12,950 (at last check) |
| When it is written | Two written semesters a year: usually February/March and July/August. Next sitting: Thu 18 Feb 2027 (CMSA timetable; always confirm with the CMSA). |
| Past papers | Not published since 2021: questions stay in a secure CMSA bank. |
| Certiva bank | Explained, referenced questions and timed mock exams |
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What does the FCPaeds Part 1 Exam Pass include?
Your FCPaeds Part 1 Exam Pass includes the full question bank and two timed mock exams, mapped to the CMSA syllabus; the exact textbook chapter for every answer; a tracker that picks your next topic, with smart revision and a readiness score; a week-by-week study plan to your sitting; two UCT-accredited ethics CPD courses; and a refund or more time if you don’t pass. The 3-, 6- and 12-month passes have the same features, are paid once and don’t renew. The CV and cover-letter maker and one SAMA-accredited ethics CPD course are free for everyone.
Can I try it before paying?
Yes. Try five questions with explanations and textbook references, with no account or card. Then create a free account for the mini mock exam: 20 questions across the syllabus, then your weakest topics and the chapters to read. Try 5 questions free.
How does the tracker know what I should revise?
After each session, your tracker shows the topics you’re scoring below 60% and the exact chapter to read. Questions you get wrong come back after 10 minutes, then after 1, 3 and 7 days. Your readiness score appears after 50 questions across 3 topics. It is a study guide, not a prediction of your result.
What happens if I do not pass?
The bank and the mock exams are the plan. Answer at least 60% of the question bank and do every mock exam before your sitting, with no minimum score. If you still don’t pass, send your result within 30 days and choose your money back or twice your pass length, free. Monthly membership, group passes and the CPD bundle are excluded. Read the full refund terms.
Does it work on my phone between calls?
Yes. Certiva runs in your phone’s browser, so a 20-minute session between calls counts. Your progress is saved to your account, and questions you miss come back for revision after 10 minutes, then after 1, 3 and 7 days.
I’m writing in a few weeks. Is it still worth it?
Yes, if you use it to find and fix your weakest topics. Start with a timed mock exam, then let the tracker pick what to revise. To stay eligible for a refund or more time, answer at least 60% of the question bank and do every mock exam before your sitting.
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 FCPaeds Part 1 exam?
The FC Paed(SA) Part I is the applied basic-science exam of the Fellowship of the College of Paediatricians, run by the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA). It is two 3-hour papers of 75 single-best-answer questions each, from anatomy and physiology through pharmacology to the principles of managing common paediatric conditions. See the full FCPaeds Part 1 guide for the blueprint and a study plan.
Can I get FCPaeds 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 5 questions free.