Essential Revision Notes for MRCP 2nd Edition

"Took mrcp part 1 with less than 3mth experience in internal medicine. Aced it with just studying this book. Medicine posting is so busy, you just need to read this book & get the essense to pass. Not much clnical experience needed either. Get it and you won't regret it!"
~ Written on 2006-02-19

"Like so many others before me i bought this book expecting great things. The hefty price tag alone seemed to be evidence of its brilliance (and the publishers caching in).
The price clearly doesn't reflect the content or binding; compare davidson's.

The book consists of a comprehensive list of system based chapters including the ones we all tend to neglect e.g. molecular medicine.
As i first approached chapters like cardiology i was shocked by the lack of substantive content. It put me off so much i let the book gather dust for several months, in favour of more traditional texts and MCQ books. Indeed many people say not to the bother with formal texts and just go for MCQs.
It is now 3 weeks before the exam and i'm realizing how useful the book is.

Unfortunately many excellent books like Davidson's are just not MRCP friendly. In contrast this book is practical and readable given the busy timetable of working SHOs.
The chapters i once thought were brief now seem full of essential facts, and devoid of the interesting but MRCP-useless facts found in other texts.
There is a danger that a book like this could become mere lists but the chapter on endocrinology is an example of an excellent piece of science writing.
The chapters on molecular stuff and epidemiology are worth the price alone. There are many medical statistics books out there masquerading as concisely distilled information perfect for SHOs but in reality they are over the top for MRCP part 1.

The major let down in the book is the infectious diseases chapters. This was a real chance for the book to shine but sadly essential diseases like leishmania are completely missed out.

Overall its an important part of my revision shedule but not the dominant force, which remains every good MCQ book i can get my hands on. The third edition needs to be less patchy."
~ Written on 2006-01-06

"First of all, I would recommend not sitting the exam. It is currently ruining my life. If you are masochistic enough to want to sit it, this book has all of the info you need. And my, what a lot of info."
~ Written on 2006-01-05

"This is a surprisingly good book for the MRCP I exams. It distils the most relevant facts in an easy to read format. If you are preparing for the MRCP I and you have little time (as most of us), you definitely need this book.
My suggestions for those preparing for the Part I:
1. Begin with the Color Atlas and Text of Clinical Medicine by Charles Forbes, et al. This book will gently introduce you to the whole of clinical medicine without taxing your brains.
2. Continue with the Essential Revision Notes for MRCP. Read it at least 2 or 3 times. It is only 660 pages, and shouldn't take that much time to read.
3. Begin practice questions, and ensure you practice MANY questions, checking up difficult cases from the reference books (e.g. Oxfords or Harisson's). A good source of questions is the onexamination.com
4. Round up your revision with the Essential Revision Notes, and
5. Confidently sit for the exams. Your chances of passing are well above 90%.
As in most exams, your success depends heavily on whether or not you read the relevant materials, and your familiarity with the types of questions set. The Essential Revision Notes for MRCP will take care of the former, and frequent practice will take care of the latter."
~ Written on 2003-09-03

"Well ok, this book and a lot of hard graft should see you pass. Big problem about the MRCP? Too much information and you haven't a clue where to start. This book gives you an idea of the level of study and knowledge the Royal College expects. Some useful lists and also reviews of those subjects you just glossed over at medical school and in a style easy enough for a surgeon to read! Seriously useful book. Used in conjunction with as many MCQs as you can get your hands on should give you a good chance."
~ Written on 2002-03-03