100+ Free GCPS Primary Exam Practice Questions

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Sample GCPS Primary Exam Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your GCPS Primary Exam exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1During a thyroidectomy, which nerve runs in close relationship to the inferior thyroid artery and, if injured, causes hoarseness due to vocal cord paralysis?

A.External laryngeal nerve

B.Recurrent laryngeal nerve

C.Internal laryngeal nerve

D.Hypoglossal nerve

Explanation: The recurrent laryngeal nerve has an intimate and variable relationship with the inferior thyroid artery near the lower pole of the thyroid. It supplies all intrinsic laryngeal muscles except the cricothyroid, so injury causes ipsilateral vocal cord paralysis and hoarseness.

2Which structure passes through the foramen ovale of the sphenoid bone?

A.Maxillary nerve (V2)

B.Mandibular nerve (V3)

C.Middle meningeal artery

D.Internal carotid artery

Explanation: The mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve (V3) passes through the foramen ovale, along with the accessory meningeal artery and lesser petrosal nerve. This is high-yield surgical and neuroanatomy knowledge.

3The brachial plexus gives rise to the median nerve from contributions of which two cords?

A.Posterior and lateral cords

B.Lateral and medial cords

C.Medial and posterior cords

D.Lateral cord alone

Explanation: The median nerve is formed by the lateral root (from the lateral cord, C5-C7) and the medial root (from the medial cord, C8-T1). It supplies most forearm flexors and the thenar muscles.

4Which artery is the principal blood supply to the head of the femur in adults, injury to which predisposes to avascular necrosis after a femoral neck fracture?

A.Obturator artery via the ligamentum teres

B.Medial femoral circumflex artery

C.Superior gluteal artery

D.First perforating branch of profunda femoris

Explanation: In adults the medial femoral circumflex artery provides the dominant supply to the femoral head via the retinacular vessels. A displaced intracapsular femoral neck fracture can disrupt these vessels and cause avascular necrosis.

5Which of the following is a retroperitoneal structure?

A.Transverse colon

B.Sigmoid colon

C.Ascending colon

D.First part of the jejunum

Explanation: The ascending colon is secondarily retroperitoneal, lying against the posterior abdominal wall with peritoneum only on its anterior surface. This is relevant for surgical mobilisation and the spread of retroperitoneal disease.

6The right coronary artery typically supplies the sinoatrial (SA) node in approximately what proportion of individuals?

A.About 10%

B.About 40%

C.About 60%

D.About 90%

Explanation: In approximately 60% of people the SA nodal artery arises from the right coronary artery; in the remainder it usually arises from the left circumflex. This explains why inferior (right coronary) myocardial infarction can cause sinus bradycardia.

7Which embryological structure gives rise to the muscles of the tongue?

A.Pharyngeal arch mesoderm

B.Occipital somites (myotomes)

C.Neural crest cells

D.Lateral plate mesoderm

Explanation: The intrinsic and most extrinsic tongue muscles develop from occipital somite myotomes whose cells migrate forward, which is why they are innervated by the hypoglossal nerve (a cervical-derived motor nerve).

8Which dural venous sinus runs in the attached margin of the falx cerebri and receives the great cerebral vein of Galen?

A.Superior sagittal sinus

B.Inferior sagittal sinus

C.Straight sinus

D.Cavernous sinus

Explanation: The straight sinus lies at the junction of the falx cerebri and tentorium cerebelli and receives the inferior sagittal sinus and the great cerebral vein of Galen, draining toward the confluence of sinuses.

9In skeletal muscle excitation-contraction coupling, calcium released from the sarcoplasmic reticulum binds directly to which protein to initiate cross-bridge cycling?

A.Tropomyosin

B.Troponin C

C.Myosin head

D.Calmodulin

Explanation: Calcium binds troponin C, causing a conformational change in the troponin-tropomyosin complex that moves tropomyosin off the myosin-binding sites on actin, allowing cross-bridge formation and contraction.

10Which segment of the nephron is the primary site of action of loop diuretics such as furosemide?

A.Proximal convoluted tubule

B.Thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle

C.Distal convoluted tubule

D.Collecting duct

Explanation: Loop diuretics inhibit the Na-K-2Cl (NKCC2) cotransporter in the thick ascending limb, reducing reabsorption of sodium, potassium and chloride and abolishing the medullary concentration gradient, producing potent diuresis.

About the GCPS Primary Exam Exam

The GCPS Primary (Part One) is the gateway postgraduate examination in basic medical sciences for the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, leading on to Membership and specialist training. It is a single-best-answer MCQ assessment of the applied basic sciences that underpin clinical practice, including anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pathology, pharmacology, microbiology and immunology, with relevant tropical and region-specific disease.

Assessment

Single-best-answer MCQ theory examination in the applied basic medical sciences, commonly reported as 200 SBA MCQs delivered in two same-day sessions of 100 questions each, with a break between sessions.

Time Limit

Approximately two hours per 100-question session (candidate-reported); confirm timing with the College for your diet.

Passing Score

GCPS does not publish a fixed pass percentage for the Primary; the pass standard is determined by examiners. Confirm the definitive requirement with the College and your training faculty.

Exam Fee

Set by the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons and reviewed periodically. Confirm the current Primary examination and registration fees directly with the College. (Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons (GCPS))

GCPS Primary Exam Exam Content Outline

18%

Anatomy

Gross, surgical and neuroanatomy, embryology and histology across body regions.

18%

Physiology

Cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, endocrine, gastrointestinal and neurophysiology with acid-base balance.

13%

Biochemistry

Metabolism, enzymes, molecular biology, vitamins, lipids and inborn errors of metabolism.

10%

General Pathology

Cell injury, inflammation, neoplasia, haemodynamics, thrombosis and apoptosis.

10%

Systemic Pathology

Organ-system disease, tumour markers and haematological disorders.

10%

Pharmacology

Pharmacokinetics, autonomic and cardiovascular drugs, antibiotics, antimalarials and toxicology.

Microbiology

Bacteriology, virology and parasitology including malaria, tuberculosis, hepatitis B and schistosomiasis.

Immunology

Innate and adaptive immunity, antibodies, hypersensitivity, complement and transplantation.

Research Methodology and Ethics

Study design, biostatistics, diagnostic test characteristics and medical ethics.

How to Pass the GCPS Primary Exam Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: GCPS does not publish a fixed pass percentage for the Primary; the pass standard is determined by examiners. Confirm the definitive requirement with the College and your training faculty.
Assessment: Single-best-answer MCQ theory examination in the applied basic medical sciences, commonly reported as 200 SBA MCQs delivered in two same-day sessions of 100 questions each, with a break between sessions.
Time limit: Approximately two hours per 100-question session (candidate-reported); confirm timing with the College for your diet.
Exam fee: Set by the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons and reviewed periodically. Confirm the current Primary examination and registration fees directly with the College.

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

GCPS Primary Exam Study Tips from Top Performers

1Build a firm foundation in the integrated basic sciences, focusing on anatomy and physiology, which carry the greatest weight, and link each topic to its clinical relevance.

2Prioritise high-yield tropical and region-specific disease such as malaria, sickle cell disease, tuberculosis, hepatitis B and schistosomiasis, which are emphasised in the West African context.

3Practise large volumes of timed single-best-answer MCQs and review every explanation, because the two-session format rewards both speed and breadth of recall.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the GCPS Primary examination?

The GCPS Primary (Part One) is the basic medical sciences entry examination of the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons. It assesses the applied basic sciences that underpin clinical specialties and is the gateway to Membership and specialist postgraduate training.

What format does the GCPS Primary take?

The Primary is a single-best-answer multiple-choice examination. The theory paper is commonly reported as 200 SBA MCQs delivered in two same-day sessions of 100 questions each, with a break between them. Always confirm the current format with the College.

What subjects are tested on the GCPS Primary?

The examination covers anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, general and systemic pathology, pharmacology, microbiology and immunology, plus basic research methodology and ethics, with attention to tropical and region-relevant disease such as malaria, sickle cell disease and tuberculosis.

Is there a fixed pass mark for the GCPS Primary?

GCPS does not publish a fixed pass percentage; the pass standard is set by the examiners for each diet. Confirm the definitive requirement and current fees directly with the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons and your training faculty.