RECOMMENDED BOOKS AND WEBSITES

Recommended Books and Websites for MRCPCH

My original MRCPCH book recommendations, updated with current exam advice, official resources, BO5 question style and practical guidance for candidates.

Start Here Before Buying

There are many MRCPCH books and websites. Do not buy everything. The best preparation is not about collecting many books. It is about using a few good resources properly.

My original approach was simple: I subscribed to a question bank early. I did questions online. If I got an answer wrong, I went to the relevant section of the book, read it properly and marked it. This saved time and gave me more time for revision.

My original advice: Do not read every book from cover to cover. Use questions to identify your weak areas, then read the relevant sections of the book.

Updated advice: Current MRCPCH theory exams use BO5 SBA questions. Choose resources that help with single-best-answer thinking, safe clinical judgement and repeated wrong-answer revision.

Buy one main book, use one good question bank properly, and check the official RCPCH sample papers. Add more books only if you are weak in a specific area.

Affiliate disclosure: Some links on this page may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Please check the latest edition and price before buying.

Recommended Books

These are not for buying all together. Choose according to your exam and weak areas.

Essential Revision Notes in Paediatrics for the MRCPCH

Core MRCPCH Book FOP / TAS / AKP

This is one of the most important revision books for MRCPCH. It covers many areas of the MRCPCH syllabus in concise note format, with useful hints and tips.

Best for: candidates who want one main reference book for repeated revision and wrong-answer review.

My original advice: This was my main book for MRCPCH Part 1. I did not read the whole book. I did online questions first. When I got a wrong answer, I went to the relevant section, read it and marked it. This saved time and improved revision.

Updated advice: Still useful as a reference book, especially when reviewing wrong BO5 SBA questions. Do not try to memorise everything. Use it for targeted revision.

Check latest edition / price Discuss this book

Basic Medical Sciences for MRCP Part 1

Science Book Useful for TAS

This book is not specifically MRCPCH, but it is useful for basic science revision. It explains essential science using lists, tables, diagrams and flow charts.

Best for: selected weak areas in anatomy, physiology, pharmacology and statistics.

My original advice: Do not read the whole book. I mainly read anatomy, physiology and statistics. Other sections I read only when I got a wrong answer. It is very good for understanding statistics.

Updated advice: Use this only for selected weak areas. It may help with TAS concepts, but do not let it replace MRCPCH-specific resources. Try to get the used one or from the library.

Check latest edition / price Discuss in TAS Forum

Paediatric Exams: A Survival Guide

Exam Technique Practical Revision

This is a practical exam-focused book. It is concise and useful for candidates who want a broad overview and helpful revision points.

Best for: candidates who want a short, practical and confidence-building revision book.

My original advice: One of the best books for Part 1 and Part 2. I read the whole book and noted important points in Essential Revision Notes. Some chapters may be missing, but whatever it covers is worth reading.

Updated advice: Good for exam-focused reading and confidence building. Combine it with current RCPCH sample papers and BO5 practice.Try to get the used one or from the library.

Check latest edition / price Discuss this book

The Science of Paediatrics: MRCPCH Mastercourse

TAS Science and Clinical Application

This book is designed to help candidates understand the science behind paediatric practice. It is especially useful for Theory and Science preparation.

Best for: TAS candidates who want to understand physiology, pharmacology, statistics and the science behind paediatrics.

My original note: This book helps apply science to paediatric practice, including clinical signs, investigations, prescribing and management.

Updated advice: Very useful for TAS. Use it to understand concepts rather than memorising isolated facts.

Check latest edition / price Discuss in TAS Forum

Applied Knowledge in Paediatrics: MRCPCH Mastercourse

AKP Clinical Reasoning

This is useful for candidates preparing for AKP because it focuses on applied knowledge, decision-making and practical clinical scenarios.

Best for: AKP candidates who need applied clinical judgement, investigations, imaging, management and escalation practice.

My original approach for AKP: For Part 2 / AKP-style preparation, I read books mainly when I got wrong answers. This made the revision focused and efficient.

Updated advice: Use this with BO5 AKP question practice. Focus on safe next steps, investigations, management and escalation.

Check latest edition / price Discuss in AKP Forum

Illustrated Textbook of Paediatrics

Beginner Friendly FOP Foundation

This is useful if you are early in paediatric training or want a clear, visual overview of common paediatric conditions.

Best for: candidates who feel they need a simple paediatric foundation before doing large numbers of questions.

Updated advice: Do not use this as your only MRCPCH resource. Use it to understand topics, then practise BO5 questions. Try to get the used one or from the library.

Check latest edition / price Discuss in FOP Forum

Clinical Cases for MRCPCH Theory and Science

TAS Practice Clinical Application

This type of resource is useful when you want to apply science to clinical scenarios rather than reading facts alone.

Best for: TAS candidates who understand the science but need more practice applying it to clinical-style questions.

Updated advice: Use after you have revised the core TAS topics. It is most useful when combined with question practice and wrong-answer review.

Check latest edition / price Discuss in TAS Forum

Clinical Cases for MRCPCH Foundation of Practice

FOP Clinical Cases RCPCH Textbook

This book is useful for candidates preparing for FOP because it uses clinical cases to help apply knowledge to common paediatric presentations.

Best for: FOP candidates who know the theory but need more practice applying knowledge to clinical scenarios and BO5-style questions.

How to use it: Read one case, answer before looking at the explanation, then revise the related topic in your main book if you get it wrong.

My advice: This is a good bridge between reading and question-bank practice. It helps candidates think clinically, not just memorise facts.

Check latest edition / price View RCPCH page

Clinical Cases for MRCPCH Applied Knowledge in Practice

AKP Clinical Reasoning RCPCH Textbook

This book is useful for AKP because it helps candidates apply paediatric knowledge to clinical cases, investigations, management decisions and safe next steps.

Best for: AKP candidates who need to improve clinical judgement, investigation interpretation, management and escalation.

How to use it: Use it with AKP BO5 question practice. Focus on why one option is safer and better than the others.

My advice: AKP is not only about remembering facts. It is about applying facts safely. This book helps with that style of thinking.

Check latest edition / price View RCPCH page

MRCPCH Clinical: Short Cases, History Taking & Communication Skills

Clinical Exam Short Cases Communication

This book is very, very useful for candidates preparing for the MRCPCH Clinical exam. It helps with short cases, history-taking, communication skills, and structured clinical thinking.

Best for: candidates preparing for the clinical exam who need a practical structure for history, examination, communication and station practice.

How to use it: Do not just read it silently. Practise the cases aloud with a colleague, record yourself, and ask for feedback.

My advice: For the clinical exam, books alone are not enough. Use this book with mock stations, communication practice and real feedback. You cannot replace this book. A mandatory book for the clinical exam. 

Check latest edition / price Discuss in Clinical Forum

Exam Plan by Paper

FOP

• Essential Revision Notes
• Paediatric Exams: A Survival Guide
• Clinical Cases in FOP
• Illustrated Textbook of Paediatrics if you are a beginner
• RCPCH sample papers

Open FOP Forum

TAS

• The Science of Paediatrics
• Basic Medical Sciences for selected weak areas
• Clinical cases or science-based practice
• Clinical Cases in TAS
• Statistics, physiology, pharmacology and genetics revision

Open TAS Forum

AKP

• Applied Knowledge in Paediatrics 
• Clinical Cases in AKP
• Essential Revision Notes for weak areas
• AKP BO5 questions with X-rays, ECGs, images and blood results
• Management, escalation and safe clinical decisions

Open AKP Forum

Clinical

• MRCPCH Clinical: Short cases, History taking, and Communication skills
• Clinical exam videos
• Communication practice
• Developmental assessment practice
• Mock stations and feedback

Open Clinical Forum

Question Banks and Online Practice

Question banks are very important because current written exams use BO5 SBA questions. They help you practise timing, exam style and wrong-answer revision.

Pastest

My original advice: Pastest was my first choice. I subscribed from the first day. I found the questions well formatted and the answers concise.

Updated advice: If using any question bank, make a wrong-answer list and revise it repeatedly.

Visit Pastest

123Doc

My original advice: 123Doc was my second choice and was useful for Part 1 and Part 2 style preparation.

Check current status: Online platforms change. Check the updated question format and recent reviews before subscribing.

Visit 123Doc

OnExamination

My original advice: I found this website less useful compared with Pastest and 123Doc.

Updated advice: Compare cost, question quality, explanations and current BO5 alignment before subscribing.

Visit OnExamination

Wrong-Answer System

Do not only count how many questions you complete. The real improvement comes from reviewing why you were wrong and repeating those topics.

Read my method

Free MRCPCH Practice on This Website

Use these free resources to test your preparation and find weak areas before buying more books or question banks.

Free FOP Question Bank

BO5 questions with automatic marking and explanations.

Get Free Access

Free TAS Question Bank

Science-focused BO5 practice for TAS preparation.

Get Free Access

Free AKP Sample Questions

Applied clinical questions with investigations and image-style prompts.

Get Free Access

Ask Forum

Ask questions, discuss resources and share preparation doubts.

Ask in Forum

Official and Free Resources

RCPCH Theory Exams

Official information about FOP, TAS and AKP.

Open RCPCH Theory Exams

RCPCH Sample Papers

Use these to understand BO5 SBA style and computer-based exam format.

Open Sample Papers

RCPCH Structure and Syllabi

Use this as your map for revision.

Open Structure and Syllabi

London Paediatrics Clinical Videos

Free MRCPCH Clinical revision videos and guides.

Open Clinical Videos

Final Practical Advice

If you are starting MRCPCH, do not make preparation complicated.

One Main Book

Use Essential Revision Notes or another main book as your reference.

One Question Bank

Choose one question bank and complete it properly.

One Wrong-Answer System

Keep a notebook, screenshots or digital folder of wrong questions.

Official Sample Papers

Use RCPCH sample papers to understand official style.

My original method still stands: questions first, targeted reading second, repeated revision third.

Mistakes to Avoid

• Buying too many books and reading none properly.
• Subscribing to many question banks at the same time.
• Reading passively without doing questions.
• Ignoring wrong answers.
• Not checking current RCPCH exam format.
• Using old EMQ-focused materials without updating exam technique.
• Spending too much time collecting resources instead of revising.

Important: Current MRCPCH theory exams use BO5 SBA questions. Prioritise resources that help you answer single-best-answer questions safely and confidently.

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Guide to MRCPCH

My original MRCPCH book advice, updated for current candidates.

Disclaimer: This page contains personal educational guidance. Always check the latest RCPCH exam structure, sample papers and official updates before planning your revision.

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