8 things you should know if you are interested in the FCPS exam
- Hamid Saeed
- May 3, 2021
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 9, 2021
“The life so short, the craft so long to learn.”
― Hippocrates
The eternal words of Hippocrates, the famous Greek physician, stand as true today as they were almost 2500 years ago. The sheer amount of knowledge one comes across in the healthcare field is so vast , it almost feels infinite. Hence , wherever you go , the field of Medicine, particularly, has always represented a dedication to lifelong learning and excellence.
In our day and age too this comes in the form of continuing degrees and training programs for many years even after a person has been certified as a doctor. In Pakistan , one of the most rigorous and distinguished professional qualifications at the postgraduate level is FCPS. If you intend to stay in Pakistan , you should definitely know these 8 things about it :
1) What is the FCPS?
FCPS stands for the Fellowship of College of Physicians and Surgeons. It is a professional qualification awarded after completing training in a selected area of specialization and passing the examination for it. This qualification is not unique to Pakistan; countries like India and Bangladesh also have their own versions of the FCPS. The difference lies in the college which awards the fellowship. In Pakistan, this is College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan (CPSP).
2) What is the route from MBBS to FCPS?
The very useful diagram above, borrowed from the official website of the CPSP, underlines the exact pathway we have to take after MBBS to achieve a fellowship in our chosen specialty.
The pathway:
After MBBS, one has to complete a year in house jobs to be eligible to give the FCPS-1 exam (more information about this exam below). The house job period should include 6 months in the specialty of your choice. However , deficiency in the house job period could be compensated by equal time in residency.
Immediately after the results of the FCPS exam are announced, the Research and Training Monitoring Cell (R and RC) sends letters to the candidates to apply for registration. In simple terms, The R and RC is basically a cell of the CPSP and its primary purpose is to register and monitor the training of the fellowship trainees i.e. the people who passed the FCPS-1 exam as well as facilitate them.
After this, we come to the second stage which is basically the actual FCPS. This can range from a period of 4-5 years depending upon your specialty of choice.
The Intermediate Module Examination (IMM) is a specialty specific exam that is taken after 2 years of training after registration with the R and RC. For some specialties this is a computer based theory examination of BCQs/MCQs while others have a more conventional pattern.
After the IMM exam, there are 2-3 year more years of training at the end of which there is a final FCPS exam. If you pass this exam, congratulations! You’re officially qualified to be a specialist of the field that you chose and have passed the highest qualification for physicians and surgeons in Pakistan.
3) What does the FCPS -1 test include?
The FCPS-1 exam is meant to test your MBBS knowledge and so is divided into subject wise sections of Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology, etc. across 2 papers. Both papers are MCQ based and are 2 hours each. You're required to score a minimum percentage in each paper besides passing the aggregate.
4) How hard is the FCPS?
The FCPS has a notorious reputation of being extremely hard to pass. However, medical qualification exams, in general, are quite difficult but if you have prepared for a test sufficiently well, there is no reason why you should not clear it. I also found no verified figures to back up the claims of low passing rates.
5) What specialties can I do an FCPS in?
As mentioned, there are about 73 specialties you can choose ranging from general surgery, neurosurgery, microbiology and gastroenterology to emergency medicine, hematology, family medicine and even nuclear medicine among many others. However, there are 46 options for your first fellowship and the remaining open up after you’re done with your first fellowship.
6) Where do I do an FCPS from?
An FCPS degree can be done from any of the 207 CPSP accredited medical institutions across the country. These include institutions across the country from Karachi and Hyderabad to Islamabad and Lahore as well as Taxila and Sukkur to name a few.
7) Can I do a second fellowship after my first?
Yes. Just in case you’re that sort of person, it is also possible to pursue a second fellowship after the first. The pathway is quite straightforward and thankfully not as long as the first. In fact, it can be completed in 3 years after the first fellowship and does not require any IMM exams though you will still need to register for the R and R CPSP again.
8) Do other countries recognize FCPS from Pakistan?
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia recognizes the FCPS degree from Pakistan as a specialist degree. In addition, the General Medical Council (GMC) of the UK recognizes the FCPS specialty in Anesthesia as eligible for registration without any other exam. However the others are not accepted directly.
Bottom Line: Should I do an FCPS?
At the end of the day, pursuing a degree comes down to your own personal preferences as well as the resources of time and money that you have. If you intend to stay in Pakistan and progress your career, there is no doubt that the FCPS is one of the (if not the) most rigorous training program you can do after your MBBS. It is also the most rewarding in terms of career progression and is highly respected as a degree in the country. Completing it will benefit you greatly. However, if your target is mainly to serve abroad, then the FCPS would not help you much as it is usually not recognized in most countries.
“Wherever the art of Medicine is loved, there is also a love of Humanity."
― Hippocrates
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