100+ Free NPMCN Primary Practice Questions

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Sample NPMCN Primary Practice Questions

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

1During thyroidectomy, which structure is most at risk when the inferior thyroid artery is ligated close to the thyroid gland rather than away from the gland near its origin?

A.Recurrent laryngeal nerve

B.External branch of the superior laryngeal nerve

C.Ansa cervicalis

D.Phrenic nerve

Explanation: The recurrent laryngeal nerve ascends in the tracheoesophageal groove and is closely related to the inferior thyroid artery near the thyroid gland. Classic surgical anatomy teaching therefore ligates the inferior thyroid artery away from the gland (nearer its origin/carotid sheath) to reduce recurrent laryngeal nerve injury.

2Which cranial nerve provides the special visceral afferent taste fibres from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue?

A.Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)

B.Facial nerve via chorda tympani (CN VII)

C.Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)

D.Trigeminal nerve mandibular division (CN V3)

Explanation: Taste from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue travels in the chorda tympani branch of the facial nerve, which joins the lingual nerve. General somatic sensation from the same region is carried by CN V3 via the lingual nerve.

3The middle meningeal artery enters the cranial cavity through which foramen?

A.Foramen ovale

B.Foramen rotundum

C.Foramen spinosum

D.Jugular foramen

Explanation: The middle meningeal artery, a branch of the maxillary artery, enters the middle cranial fossa through the foramen spinosum and grooves the inner table of the skull, making it vulnerable in temporal bone fractures with epidural haematoma.

4Which muscle opens the jaw (depresses the mandible) and is innervated by the mandibular nerve?

A.Masseter

B.Temporalis

C.Medial pterygoid

D.Lateral pterygoid

Explanation: The lateral pterygoid protrudes the mandible and opens the mouth by pulling the condyle and articular disc forward onto the articular eminence. Masseter, temporalis and medial pterygoid primarily elevate the mandible (close the jaw).

5Parasympathetic secretomotor fibres to the parotid gland synapse in which ganglion?

A.Otic ganglion

B.Ciliary ganglion

C.Pterygopalatine ganglion

D.Submandibular ganglion

Explanation: Preganglionic parasympathetic fibres from the glossopharyngeal nerve (via the lesser petrosal nerve) synapse in the otic ganglion. Postganglionic fibres then travel with the auriculotemporal nerve to reach the parotid gland.

6In the neck, the common carotid artery typically bifurcates at which vertebral level?

A.C2

B.C3–C4 (upper border of thyroid cartilage)

C.C6 (cricoid cartilage)

D.T1

Explanation: The common carotid bifurcation usually lies at about the C3–C4 intervertebral disc level, corresponding to the upper border of the thyroid cartilage. This surface landmark is used clinically when palpating the carotid pulse and planning carotid surgery.

7Which structure passes through the cavernous sinus along with the internal carotid artery?

A.Optic nerve (CN II)

B.Facial nerve (CN VII)

C.Abducens nerve (CN VI)

D.Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)

Explanation: Within the cavernous sinus, the abducens nerve (CN VI) travels freely beside the internal carotid artery. CN III, IV, V1 and V2 lie in the lateral wall. Cavernous sinus thrombosis or carotid–cavernous fistula can therefore impair CN VI early.

8The scalp's loose areolar tissue (danger area) lies between which layers?

A.Skin and dense connective tissue

B.Dense connective tissue and aponeurosis (galea)

C.Periosteum and skull bone

D.Aponeurosis and periosteum

Explanation: The five scalp layers are Skin, Connective tissue, Aponeurosis, Loose areolar tissue, and Periosteum (SCALP). The loose areolar layer allows scalp mobility and permits spread of infection or haematoma beneath the galea; emissary veins here can transmit infection intracranially.

9Which nerve is most commonly injured in fracture of the surgical neck of the humerus?

A.Axillary nerve

B.Radial nerve

C.Ulnar nerve

D.Median nerve

Explanation: The axillary nerve winds around the surgical neck of the humerus with the posterior circumflex humeral vessels. Fracture here or inferior shoulder dislocation can injure it, causing deltoid and teres minor weakness and sensory loss over the regimental badge area.

10Erb-Duchenne palsy results from injury to which part of the brachial plexus?

A.Lower trunk (C8–T1)

B.Upper trunk (C5–C6)

C.Posterior cord

D.Medial cord

Explanation: Erb-Duchenne (waiter's tip) palsy follows traction injury to the upper trunk (C5–C6), as in birth injury or a fall onto the shoulder. It weakens shoulder abduction/lateral rotation and elbow flexion, with forearm pronation and wrist flexed.

About the NPMCN Primary Exam

The NPMCN Primary Fellowship Examination is the College's postgraduate entry screening test after internship, assessing basic medical sciences readiness for Faculty-specific residency training. Content emphasises anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology and pathology, with exact blueprints varying by Faculty. Examinations are delivered as CBT at accredited centres (e.g., Abuja, Enugu and Lagos for March 2026 Primary).

Assessment

Screening CBT for doctors seeking entry into NPMCN residency. The Faculty of Surgery publishes a 3-hour paper of 200 single-best-answer MCQs: Section A (100) Anatomy including embryology, histology and genetics; Section B (100) Physiology including biochemistry and pharmacology, plus Pathology including anatomic pathology, chemical pathology, microbiology and haematology. Other Faculties use Faculty-specific tables of specifications (e.g., Family Medicine 200 MCQs with Modified Angoff pass-mark setting) while retaining the basic-sciences Primary role. This free bank offers 100 practice MCQs scaled to the Surgery 50/50 Section A/B pattern with Section B sub-weights for physiology–biochemistry, pharmacology and pathology.

Time Limit

3 hours (Faculty of Surgery curriculum for the 200-question paper). Confirm your Faculty notice for the sitting.

Passing Score

Surgery curriculum: normally ≥50% overall and ≥50% per section (borderline Section B may be compensated by a strong Section A; a bad fail in any section fails the exam). Some Faculties use Modified Angoff. Confirm for your Faculty.

Exam Fee

₦100,000 for all Faculties (Primary) as published for the Sept/Oct/Nov 2025 and March/April/May 2026 diets. Additional late-registration or correction fees may apply. Confirm on the College portal. (National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN))

NPMCN Primary Exam Content Outline

50%

Anatomy (Gross, Embryology, Histology & Genetics)

Applied gross anatomy of head, neck, trunk and limbs; neuroanatomy; embryology; histology; and basic genetics matching Surgery Section A.

20%

Physiology & Biochemistry

Systemic physiology, gas transport, renal and endocrine control, and core intermediary metabolism.

10%

Pharmacology

Pharmacokinetics, autonomic and CNS pharmacology, antimicrobials, diuretics, local anaesthetics and cytotoxic principles.

20%

Pathology (Anatomic, Chemical, Microbiology & Haematology)

Cell injury, inflammation, neoplasia, acid–base and electrolytes, bacteriology/parasitology, anaemia and coagulation.

How to Pass the NPMCN Primary Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Surgery curriculum: normally ≥50% overall and ≥50% per section (borderline Section B may be compensated by a strong Section A; a bad fail in any section fails the exam). Some Faculties use Modified Angoff. Confirm for your Faculty.
Assessment: Screening CBT for doctors seeking entry into NPMCN residency. The Faculty of Surgery publishes a 3-hour paper of 200 single-best-answer MCQs: Section A (100) Anatomy including embryology, histology and genetics; Section B (100) Physiology including biochemistry and pharmacology, plus Pathology including anatomic pathology, chemical pathology, microbiology and haematology. Other Faculties use Faculty-specific tables of specifications (e.g., Family Medicine 200 MCQs with Modified Angoff pass-mark setting) while retaining the basic-sciences Primary role. This free bank offers 100 practice MCQs scaled to the Surgery 50/50 Section A/B pattern with Section B sub-weights for physiology–biochemistry, pharmacology and pathology.
Time limit: 3 hours (Faculty of Surgery curriculum for the 200-question paper). Confirm your Faculty notice for the sitting.
Exam fee: ₦100,000 for all Faculties (Primary) as published for the Sept/Oct/Nov 2025 and March/April/May 2026 diets. Additional late-registration or correction fees may apply. Confirm on the College portal.

Keys to Passing

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

NPMCN Primary Study Tips from Top Performers

1Weight revision time to anatomy first (about half the Surgery Primary paper), then cycle physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology and pathology in mixed blocks that mirror Section B.

2Practice single-best-answer timing at roughly 200 questions in 3 hours (~54 seconds each) so CBT pacing matches the official paper length.

3Use high-yield atlases and core texts (anatomy, Ganong/Guyton-level physiology, Robbins-level pathology, and a concise pharmacology text) and finish each topic with timed MCQs rather than passive rereading only.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NPMCN Primary Fellowship Examination?

It is the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria's screening examination for doctors who want to enter Faculty residency programmes. It tests basic medical sciences as evidence of readiness for postgraduate training and is taken after internship, before or at the start of residency depending on Faculty rules.

How many questions are on the official NPMCN Primary and how is this practice bank organised?

Many Faculties, including Surgery, use a 200-question single-best-answer CBT. Surgery splits this into 100 anatomy questions and 100 questions covering physiology (including biochemistry and pharmacology) and pathology. This free bank provides 100 practice MCQs scaled to that 50/50 pattern with Section B sub-weights of 20% physiology & biochemistry, 10% pharmacology and 20% pathology.

What is the NPMCN Primary exam fee for 2026?

College examination announcements for the September/October/November 2025 and March/April/May 2026 diets list the Primary Fellowship Examination fee as ₦100,000 for all Faculties. Late registration and related administrative fees may apply. Always confirm the live fee on the NPMCN examination portal before payment.

What pass mark do I need for NPMCN Primary?

The Faculty of Surgery curriculum states candidates normally need at least 50% overall and 50% in each section, with limited compensation between sections. Some Faculties (e.g., Family Medicine curriculum) use Modified Angoff standard-setting aligned with College policy. Check your Faculty handbook and the notice for your diet.