FCPS Part 1: pattern, dates, fee and eligibility
FCPS Part 1 is the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan's entry exam for its fellowship (FCPS) residency programmes. It tests the basic medical sciences behind the specialty you choose.
Checked against the official sources below on 21 October 2026.
At a glance
| Run by | College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan (CPSP)[1] |
|---|---|
| Who can sit it | MBBS (BDS for FCPS-I in Dentistry) or equivalent, a one-year house job completed before the exam date, and valid PMDC registration[1] |
| Papers | Two papers, each of 100 single best answer MCQs with five options (A to E)[1][3] |
| Time | 2 hours per paper[2] |
| Format | Computer-based in Pakistan, held in shifts; the exam abroad is on paper[2] |
| Negative marking | None: a wrong answer scores zero, like an unanswered one[3] |
| Results | About two weeks after the exam, in your CPSP e-Portal account[2] |
| Sittings | Four a year, but you may sit only three of them in a year[1] |
| 2027 dates | 5 January, 6 April, 6 July and 5 October 2027[4] |
| Fee | Rs 25,050 (Rs 25,000 exam fee plus Rs 50 handling); applying late adds Rs 2,000, and Rs 1,000 more after that[1] |
| Centres in Pakistan | Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Abbottabad, Multan, Hyderabad, Larkana, Quetta, Peshawar, Bahawalpur, Faisalabad, Gilgit, Turbat, Loralai and Dera Ismail Khan[1] |
| After you pass | Start FCPS training within three years of passing[5] |
Syllabus
Paper I covers the core basic sciences for every specialty. Paper II covers the basic sciences of the specialty group you choose.
Paper I (all specialties)[6]
- Anatomy
- Physiology and biochemistry
- Pathology and microbiology
- Pharmacology
- Research and biostatistics
- Behavioural sciences and medical ethics
Specialty groups (Paper II)[1]
- Anaesthesiology
- Community medicine
- Dentistry
- Diagnostic radiology
- Medicine and allied
- Obstetrics and gynaecology
- Ophthalmology
- Otorhinolaryngology (ENT)
- Pathology
- Psychiatry
- Surgery and allied
Good to know
- You apply online in two steps: the registration form, then the fee payment and your documents as PDFs. Pay at a Meezan Bank branch or by card online; bank drafts and pay orders are not accepted.[1]
- If you withdraw by the deadline, or CPSP finds you ineligible, 75% of the fee (not the late fee) is refunded after the exam.[1]
- No grace marks are given, and papers are not rechecked; you can ask for your marks to be recounted for Rs 2,000.[5]
- CPSP has approved FCPS Part 1 in Forensic Medicine as a new group; it starts once arrangements are complete.[7]
- There are separate application forms for sitting FCPS-I in Saudi Arabia, Nepal and Birmingham (UK).[8]
Revise your basic sciences
Chapter-wise MCQs in anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology and more, marked instantly with an explanation.
Practise MBBS questionsSources
- CPSP: Notification for the FCPS-I online examination, 5 January 2027 (PDF)
- CPSP: FCPS-I examination guidelines (PDF)
- CPSP: Instructions for single best answer MCQs (PDF)
- CPSP: Schedule of theory examinations 2027 (PDF)
- CPSP: Frequently asked questions
- CPSP: National Residency Program booklet (PDF)
- CPSP: FCPS Part-I in Forensic Medicine approved (28 August 2026, PDF)
- CPSP: Examination forms
Waraq is an independent study platform, not affiliated with CPSP. Exam rules change from year to year: always confirm with the official source before you register or apply.