Free Practice Questions for FRCPath Medical Microbiology
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Key Facts: FRCPath Medical Microbiology Exam
125
Part 1 MMV questions
RCPath Medical Microbiology page
3 hours
Part 1 MMV paper length
RCPath Medical Microbiology page
4
Part 2 papers
FRCPath Part 2 Medical Microbiology format document
GBP 1,576
2026 Part 2 fee
RCPath fees for examinations 2026
RCPath lists Medical Microbiology Part 1 as an early assessment of scientific microbiology, virology and infection knowledge, using a single 3-hour paper with 125 questions in one-best-answer and extended-matching formats. RCPath route guidance adds that many UK medical infection trainees sit Part 1 Infection/CICE before Part 2 Microbiology, while Part 1 Medical Microbiology and Virology is the one-paper route for HSST scientific trainees and some overseas candidates. Part 2 Medical Microbiology is a closed-book two-day examination with four equally weighted papers: Paper 1 essay plus SAQs, Paper 2 critical appraisal plus SAQs, Paper 3 complex clinical and laboratory scenarios, and Paper 4 OSPE. The 2026 fee schedule lists Part 1 MMV at GBP 749 and Medical Microbiology Part 2 at GBP 1,576.
Sample FRCPath Medical Microbiology Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to review concepts for the FRCPath Medical Microbiology exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Gram-positive cocci in clusters from blood culture with coagulase positivity most strongly indicates which organism?
2Alpha-haemolytic optochin-sensitive diplococci from sputum and blood suggest which organism?
3A curved Gram-negative rod causing severe watery diarrhoea after contaminated water exposure suggests which pathogen?
4A urease-positive, swarming Gram-negative rod from urine is most consistent with which organism?
5Lactose-positive indole-positive Enterobacterales causing community urinary tract infection is most often which organism?
6A non-lactose-fermenting oxidase-positive Gram-negative rod with blue-green pigment suggests which organism?
7Campylobacter jejuni is best associated with which microscopy and growth feature?
8A strict anaerobe causing antibiotic-associated colitis is most often detected by toxin testing for which organism?
9Small Gram-negative coccobacilli requiring X and V factors suggest which respiratory pathogen?
10A Gram-negative diplococcus from urethral discharge that is oxidase positive and grows on selective media suggests what?
About the FRCPath Medical Microbiology Exam
FRCPath Medical Microbiology is the RCPath fellowship examination pathway assessing microbiology and infection knowledge, laboratory practice, antimicrobial resistance interpretation, infection prevention, public health judgement and consultant-level clinical microbiology decision making.
Exam sponsor: Royal College of Pathologists. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.
Assessment
Part 1 MMV is a 125-question MCQ/EMQ paper. Part 2 Medical Microbiology has four papers over two days: essay/SAQ, critical appraisal/SAQ, complex clinical and laboratory scenarios, and OSPE.
Time Limit
Part 1 MMV 3 hours; Part 2 papers are 2.5 hours, 2.5 hours, 3 hours and 3 hours.
Passing Score
Part 1 uses objective standard setting. Part 2 requires passing both combined Paper 1/2 and Paper 3/4 components in the same sitting.
Exam / Certification Fees
2026 RCPath fees: Medical Microbiology and Virology Part 1 GBP 749; Medical Microbiology Part 2 GBP 1,576.
Exam sponsor websiteReported exam pass rate: Not fixed; pass rates vary by sitting and candidate route.. Candidates should check RCPath results and sitting communications for current pass-rate information. Exam sponsor website
Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.
Our practice resources: topics covered
We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.
Bacteriology and Clinical Infection
Bacterial identification, clinical syndromes, culture interpretation, sepsis, meningitis, endocarditis, urinary, respiratory and gastrointestinal infection.
Virology, Mycology and Parasitology
Viral PCR and serology, bloodborne viruses, transplant infection, invasive fungi, fungal biomarkers, malaria and parasite diagnostics.
Antimicrobial Resistance and AST
MRSA, ESBL, AmpC, carbapenemase, VRE, MICs, breakpoints, antibiograms, resistance genes and susceptibility reporting.
Infection Prevention, Public Health and Biosafety
Isolation, outbreak investigation, notifiable disease, high-consequence pathogens, laboratory exposure, containment and healthcare-associated infection.
Laboratory Practice, Quality and Governance
Specimen quality, Gram stain QC, MALDI-TOF, molecular panels, validation, critical result communication, EQA and service governance.
Complex Scenarios and Stewardship
Critical appraisal, complex clinical-laboratory scenarios, antimicrobial stewardship, source control, immunocompromised infection and multidisciplinary advice.
Preparing for the FRCPath Medical Microbiology Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: Part 1 uses objective standard setting. Part 2 requires passing both combined Paper 1/2 and Paper 3/4 components in the same sitting.
- Assessment: Part 1 MMV is a 125-question MCQ/EMQ paper. Part 2 Medical Microbiology has four papers over two days: essay/SAQ, critical appraisal/SAQ, complex clinical and laboratory scenarios, and OSPE.
- Time limit: Part 1 MMV 3 hours; Part 2 papers are 2.5 hours, 2.5 hours, 3 hours and 3 hours.
- Exam / certification fees: 2026 RCPath fees: Medical Microbiology and Virology Part 1 GBP 749; Medical Microbiology Part 2 GBP 1,576. Official sources
Using Our Practice Resources
- Work through all 100 available questions
- Review every answer and explanation
- Track weak areas and revisit them
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
FRCPath Medical Microbiology: Suggested Study Strategy
Frequently Asked Questions
What is FRCPath Medical Microbiology?
It is the Royal College of Pathologists fellowship examination pathway for medical microbiology, assessing scientific microbiology, infection knowledge, laboratory practice and consultant-level judgement.
What is the Medical Microbiology Part 1 format?
RCPath describes the Medical Microbiology and Virology Part 1 as a single 3-hour paper with 125 questions in one-best-answer and extended-matching formats.
Why does the meta mention Part 1 Infection?
RCPath route guidance says many UK medical infection trainees sit Part 1 Infection/CICE before Part 2 Microbiology, while Part 1 MMV is used for HSST scientific trainees and some overseas candidates.
What is the Part 2 format?
Part 2 is a two-day closed-book exam with four papers: essay/SAQ, critical appraisal/SAQ, complex clinical and laboratory scenarios, and OSPE.
Does this bank reproduce the official exam?
No. The site-wide bank provides 100 four-option practice MCQs aligned to RCPath themes. It supports MCQ and scenario reasoning but does not replace essays, OSPE, critical appraisal or viva-style preparation.