How obstetrics is examined
According to RANZCOG, the FRANZCOG written examination is computer-based and has two short answer parts (6 questions each, 90 marks, 2 hours each) and a 100-question MCQ paper (2 hours), totalling 280 marks. Trainees need at least 46 weeks FTE of satisfactory Basic Training to sit it. The oral examination follows once the written exam is passed, with 12 stations from 2026. Check RANZCOG for current dates, delivery and changes from 2027.
High-yield obstetric topics
| Topic | Key points |
|---|---|
| Pre-eclampsia | Aspirin prophylaxis for high risk; magnesium sulfate for eclampsia prevention; timing of birth |
| Gestational diabetes | OGTT at 24 to 28 weeks; diet, metformin or insulin; postnatal follow-up |
| Preterm birth | Antenatal corticosteroids, magnesium for neuroprotection before 30 weeks, progesterone and cerclage for prevention |
| Fetal surveillance | RANZCOG intrapartum fetal surveillance guideline; CTG classification |
| PPH | Tone, trauma, tissue, thrombin; oxytocin, tranexamic acid, escalation |
| Rh(D) isoimmunisation | Anti-D prophylaxis at 28 and 34 weeks or single dose; after sensitising events |
| Stillbirth | Investigation and bereavement care |
Maternal medicine
- Thyroid disease: levothyroxine dose rises in pregnancy.
- Epilepsy: folic acid 5 mg; valproate avoided.
- VTE: risk assessment and LMWH prophylaxis.
- Cardiac disease: multidisciplinary planning.
- Obstetric cholestasis: itch, raised bile acids; timing of birth by bile acid level.
Worked questions
Worked question 1 · Pre-eclampsia
A woman at 34 weeks has BP 168/112, headache and proteinuria. After antihypertensive treatment, which medicine prevents eclamptic seizures?
- A Magnesium sulfate
- B Phenytoin infusion
- C Diazepam
- D Levetiracetam loading
- E Labetalol
Show the reasoning
Answer A. Magnesium sulfate is the drug of choice for preventing and treating eclampsia. Labetalol and nifedipine lower blood pressure but do not prevent seizures.
Worked question 2 · PPH
After a vaginal birth, a woman has heavy bleeding with a soft, boggy uterus. What is the most common cause?
- A Uterine atony
- B Retained placenta
- C Genital tract trauma
- D Coagulopathy
- E Uterine inversion
Show the reasoning
Answer A. Uterine atony causes most postpartum haemorrhage. Management includes uterine massage, oxytocics, tranexamic acid and escalation.
A 4-week revision block
| Week | Focus |
|---|---|
| 1 | Antenatal care and screening |
| 2 | Hypertension, diabetes and maternal medicine |
| 3 | Preterm birth and fetal surveillance |
| 4 | Labour, PPH and postnatal care |
Use timed MCQ blocks for breadth and write one SAQ answer a day to practise structure under time pressure.
Common traps
- Confusing antihypertensives with seizure prophylaxis.
- Forgetting anti-D after sensitising events.
- Missing timing rules for corticosteroids.
- Not escalating PPH early.
Free sample obstetrics questions
Questions from our O&G (RANZCOG) bank. Choose your answer, then open the explanation.
Which woman should start low-dose aspirin to reduce pre-eclampsia risk?
- APrevious pre-eclampsia
- BPrimigravida aged 25 with no risk factors
- CPrevious caesarean for breech
- DTwin pregnancy conceived 10 years ago
- EHistory of iron deficiency anaemia
Show answer and explanation
Answer A. Women at high risk (previous pre-eclampsia, chronic hypertension, diabetes, renal disease, autoimmune disease) should start aspirin 100 to 150 mg nightly before 16 weeks, continued to 36 weeks.
Learning point: High-risk women: aspirin 100 to 150 mg from before 16 weeks.
Which treatment improves neonatal outcomes before 34 weeks?
- ABed rest at home
- BRoutine antibiotics with intact membranes
- CAntenatal corticosteroids
- DHigh-dose vitamin C
- EProgesterone after labour starts
Show answer and explanation
Answer C. Betamethasone reduces RDS, IVH and death. Magnesium before 30 weeks gives neuroprotection. Tocolysis (nifedipine) allows steroid time.
Learning point: Preterm: steroids before 34 weeks; magnesium before 30.
Twin-twin transfusion syndrome occurs in which twins?
- AMonochorionic diamniotic
- BDizygotic twins in all cases
- COnly conjoined twins
- DSeparate placentas
- EDichorionic diamniotic
Show answer and explanation
Answer A. TTTS needs shared placental vessels in monochorionic twins. Scan every 2 weeks from 16 weeks; fetoscopic laser is treatment.
Learning point: TTTS: monochorionic; laser.
Practise more obstetrics questions free
Every obstetrics subtopic in our bank
The bank holds 36 obstetrics questions across 35 subtopics. You can filter by any of them, build a custom block and track your accuracy subtopic by subtopic.
- Acute severe hypertension1
- Amniotic fluid embolism1
- Antenatal corticosteroids1
- Anti-D1
- Breech1
- Cervical length1
- Cord prolapse1
- CTG1
- Ectopic pregnancy1
- Fetal growth restriction1
- Fetal growth restriction surveillance1
- GDM diagnostic thresholds1
- GDM screening1
- Group B strep1
- HELLP1
- Hyperemesis1
- Miscarriage1
- Obstetric cholestasis2
- Perineal tears1
- Placenta accreta1
- Placenta praevia1
- Postnatal depression1
- Postpartum haemorrhage1
- PPROM1
- Pre-eclampsia prevention1
- Preterm labour1
- Severe pre-eclampsia1
- Shoulder dystocia1
- Shoulder dystocia management1
- Stillbirth1
- Syphilis in pregnancy1
- Twins1
- Uterotonics1
- VBAC1
- VTE in pregnancy1
Common questions
How many MCQs are in the FRANZCOG written exam?
RANZCOG describes a 100-question MCQ paper alongside two SAQ parts.
Which fetal surveillance guideline applies?
The RANZCOG Intrapartum Fetal Surveillance guideline.
When is magnesium sulfate used for neuroprotection?
Before 30 weeks when birth is planned or expected within 24 hours, per Australian guidance.
How many obstetrics questions are in the O&G (RANZCOG) bank?
There are 36 obstetrics questions across 35 subtopics, and the bank grows as new questions pass review.
Can I practise only obstetrics questions?
Yes. Filter by area or by any subtopic to build a custom block, in tutor mode with explanations after each question or in timed mode.
How are obstetrics questions explained?
Every question explains why the answer is right and why each other option is wrong, with a learning point and the Australian source behind it.
How much of the O&G (RANZCOG) mock is obstetrics?
About 31 questions in each 100-question mock come from obstetrics, following our mock blueprint.
Which sources is this obstetrics page based on?
It summarises current Australian guidance, including RANZCOG: Fellowship of RANZCOG examinations; RANZCOG College Statements and guidelines. Guidelines change, so always check the latest edition.
When was this obstetrics guide last updated?
It was last reviewed on 9 November 2026. We update topic pages when the exam or Australian guidance changes.
How do I unlock all O&G (RANZCOG) questions?
Choose a O&G (RANZCOG) plan: 3 or 6 months of access, from A$569.99, one payment with no auto-renew. It opens every area, not just obstetrics.
Sources
Clinical content is summarised from current Australian guidance at the date above. Guidelines change, so always check the latest edition.