Preparing for the part 2 practical examination towards membership of the Royal College of Pathologists

Membership of the Royal College of Pathologists is usually obtained by passing the MRCPath. examinations. The part 2 exam in histopathology (practical component) is taken towards the end of one’s training in histopathology and is designed to test the candidates in a wide variety of skills and knowledge. This difficult examination has a significant failure rate. This article outlines the background to the examination, the exam format and gives practical tips on how best to prepare for it. In addition, advice is given on how to answer the questions and how to avoid the common pitfalls.