📗 Mastering Green-Top Guidelines for MRCOG Part 2: Tips, Pitfalls, and Study Strategies

The Green-Top Guidelines (GTGs) published by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) are an essential part of MRCOG Part 2 preparation. These evidence-based clinical practice guidelines form the backbone of exam questions, especially in Single Best Answer (SBA) and Extended Matching Question (EMQ) formats.

If you’re preparing for MRCOG Part 2, understanding and applying the GTGs is non-negotiable. This article walks you through effective strategies for GTG study, and flags common mistakes to avoid—so you can pass with confidence.

✅ Why Green-Top Guidelines Matter

• 🔹 Directly referenced in most SBA/EMQ exam questions
• 🔹 Provide current, RCOG-approved clinical standards
• 🔹 Often used to justify management options in mock and real clinical settings
• 🔹 Essential for patient safety and risk management components in both Part 2 and 3

Explore the official GTG list here:
🔗 RCOG Green-Top Guidelines Directory

🧠 Effective Study Tips for GTG Mastery

📋 1. Create Summary Tables

Summarise key sections of each guideline in a structured format:

Download pre-made templates or build your own spreadsheet.

🖍️ 2. Highlight Recommendations and Audit Standards

Focus on:

• Management algorithms
• RCOG-recommended interventions
• Dosages and treatment thresholds
• Timing of intervention (e.g., corticosteroids at 24+0 weeks in PPROM)

📌 Tip: These often appear verbatim in SBAs.

📇 3. Use Flashcards for Active Recall

Use platforms like:

• Anki (spaced repetition)
• Quizlet (for pre-made decks)

What to include on flashcards:

• Key thresholds (e.g., PPH = blood loss >500 mL)
• Contraindications (e.g., Tocolysis in PPROM)
• Investigations of choice
• Criteria for referral or delivery

🧪 4. Reinforce with Clinical Scenarios

Apply each GTG in:

• Daily SBA/EMQ practice
• Case-based group discussion
• Scenario-mapping: “What would I do if this patient presents at 30+4 with X?”

⚠️ Common Mistakes in MRCOG Part 2 Preparation

❌ 1. Ignoring GTG Updates

GTGs are updated regularly. Always check the most current version on the RCOG website. Outdated content can lead to incorrect answers, especially for audit recommendations and drug regimens.

📌 Stay updated:
🔗 Latest GTG Updates & Revisions

❌ 2. Rote Memorisation Without Clinical Application

It’s not enough to know that erythromycin is first-line for PPROM—you need to understand why, when to initiate, and what to do if the patient has a penicillin allergy.

🎯 Apply GTGs using "what-if" scenarios to test depth of understanding.

❌ 3. Not Practicing in Timed Exam Conditions

Many candidates struggle to finish the paper. Time-bound question practice helps build:

• Decision speed
• Pattern recognition
• Prioritisation of clinically relevant facts

Try:

• 30 Qs in 45 minutes
• Mock papers every 2–3 weeks

❌ 4. Over-reliance on Books Alone

Textbooks provide theory, but GTGs give you exam-ready application. StratOG modules, mock banks, and GTG-guided notes are more aligned with the MRCOG format.

StratOG modules also offer self-assessments and case discussions aligned with the RCOG curriculum:
https://www.rcog.org.uk/careers-and-training/training/resources-and-support-for-trainees/elearning-for-trainees/

❌ 5. Neglecting Mock Feedback and Performance Tracking

Mock exams reveal:

• Recurring mistakes
• Weak GTG areas
• Time management issues

Keep a “mistake log” after every mock. Revisit those GTGs before your next paper.

📥 Ready-to-Use Tools from MRCOG PASS EXAMINATIONS

• GTG summary tables (PDF & editable format)
• Weekly guideline focus sessions
• Live SBA quizzes with explanations
• Mock paper performance trackers
• Peer study Telegram groups

💬 Final Thought

The GTGs are more than just a reading list—they are your blueprint for clinical judgment, patient safety, and exam success. Make them a daily part of your revision, not just a weekend chore.

✅ Be consistent.
✅ Apply clinically.
✅ Stay current.