With just a month to go until the January sitting of FRCS(Urol) Part 1, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of material to cover. But not all revision is created equal. Some topics appear repeatedly in exams and form the backbone of "easy marks" - the factual recall questions that can make or break your score.
As we mentioned in our complete FRCS Part 1 guide, there are two main question types in the exam:
These factual recall questions are your high-value targets.
All questions carry equal weight. A straightforward question about TNM staging scores the same as a complex clinical scenario. Many candidates lose marks on "easy" questions simply because they didn't memorise the basics.
They're predictable. Certain topics appear in virtually every sitting of the exam. Examiners need to test whether you know fundamental urology knowledge that every consultant should have at their fingertips.
Based on our own exam experience, here are the must-know topics we made sure to master:
You need to know TNM staging inside-out for:
Revision tip: Whilst T staging is typically consistent, Nodal and Metastases varies considerably between urological cancers. This is a key area to be caught out.
An example would be a 2.5cm node in RCC is simply N1, whereas in UTUC it would be N2. This is because in RCC nodes are simply absent (N0) or present (N1) whereas in UTUC N1 is a single node ≤2cm and N2 is a single node >2cm or multiple nodes.
Questions about pharmacology are exam staples. Make sure you know the key aspects of the mechanism of action for:
Technology questions are common but often tested are the key properties of lasers used in urology:
This includes Holmium:YAG, Thulium, KTP, and diode lasers.
Stone disease is a core urology topic. You should know for each stone type:
These appear frequently and are pure factual recall. At a minimum know these systems inside out on the day of your exam:
Revision tip: These systems often involve multiple variables. Try and find a way to make it easier to remember. For example the EORTC scoring system for recurrence rough percentage figures can be remembered as 15, 30, 45, 60, 75. Where any two figures relate to the 1 and 5 year rates:
You need to know the broad outcomes and key statistics from landmark urology trials such as:
Revision tip: This is not an exhaustive list. Focus on key details and rough figures, you can't know everything but the big landmark studies are often tested.
Genetics questions test specific knowledge of genes and chromosomal locations. Know the key chromosomal abnormality/location for:
Revision tip: This information appears regularly in exams and you just need to know it.
Know the key validated urological questionnaires and what they measure, at a minimum know:
Basic statistical knowledge is essential for interpreting questions and understanding trial data:
Revision tip: Practice 2x2 tables for calculating sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV. This is essentially medical school level knowledge but is often tested and should be easy marks!
Key clinical guidance often comes up. At a minimum make sure you're familiar with:
Revision tip: For paediatric UTI specifically, know the antibiotic choices by age group, when to perform ultrasound vs DMSA vs MCUG, and the criteria for prophylactic antibiotics.
For each high-value topic, create a one-page summary. This should be something you can review in 10 minutes the night before your exam.
Don't just read your notes - test yourself. Use flashcards for drug mechanisms, chromosomes, staging, and questionnaire scores. For scoring systems and statistical calculations, work through practice examples.
High-value topics appear frequently in question banks. Use Urobank's topic selection feature to focus on areas like oncology, pharmacology, paediatrics, and andrology where these factual recall questions cluster.
These facts need to stick in long-term memory. Review your high-value topics weekly throughout your revision period, not just once at the beginning.
While high-value topics are important, they shouldn't be your only focus. A balanced revision approach combines factual recall with clinical acumen. Use these high-value topics as your foundation, then build clinical reasoning on top.
High-value revision topics represent the "low-hanging fruit" of FRCS(Urol) Part 1. They're predictable and by systematically mastering TNM staging, drug mechanisms, scoring systems, chromosomal abnormalities, key trial data, statistical concepts, and clinical guidelines, you secure a solid foundation of marks before tackling more complex clinical scenarios.
Remember: all questions carry equal weight. Don't lose easy marks on topics you should have memorized. Make high-value revision a priority, and you'll walk into the exam with confidence.
Ready to test your knowledge? Try our free weekly question or explore Urobank's complete question bank to practice these high-value topics in realistic exam conditions.
Want more exam strategy advice? Read our complete guide to FRCS(Urol) Part 1 preparation.
Join Urobank and practice these essential topics with comprehensive question banks designed by urologists who've passed the exam.