How reproductive endocrinology and infertility 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 topics
| Topic | Key points |
|---|---|
| Amenorrhoea | Pregnancy test first; FSH, LH, prolactin, TSH; primary versus secondary |
| PCOS | Rotterdam criteria; letrozole for ovulation induction; metabolic risk |
| Infertility work-up | Semen analysis, ovulation, tubal patency, ovarian reserve (AMH) |
| OHSS | Fluid shifts, thrombosis risk; prevention strategies |
| Recurrent miscarriage | Antiphospholipid syndrome, karyotyping, uterine anomalies |
| Premature ovarian insufficiency | Before 40; hormone therapy |
Worked questions
Worked question 1 · PCOS
What is the first-line medicine for ovulation induction in anovulatory women with PCOS?
- A Letrozole
- B Clomiphene with metformin always
- C Gonadotrophins
- D Bromocriptine
- E Oral contraceptive pill
Show the reasoning
Answer A. The international PCOS guideline recommends letrozole as first-line for ovulation induction, with higher live birth rates than clomiphene.
Worked question 2 · Recurrent miscarriage
Which acquired condition is the most important treatable cause of recurrent miscarriage?
- A Antiphospholipid syndrome
- B Hypothyroidism
- C Recurrent bacterial vaginosis
- D Anaemia
- E Severe vitamin D deficiency
Show the reasoning
Answer A. Antiphospholipid syndrome is treated in pregnancy with low-dose aspirin and heparin, improving live birth rates.
A 4-week revision block
| Week | Focus |
|---|---|
| 1 | Amenorrhoea and PCOS |
| 2 | Infertility investigation |
| 3 | Assisted reproduction and complications |
| 4 | Recurrent loss, POI and mixed questions |
Use timed MCQ blocks for breadth and write one SAQ answer a day to practise structure under time pressure.
Common traps
- Forgetting a pregnancy test in amenorrhoea.
- Using clomiphene first instead of letrozole in PCOS.
- Missing thrombosis risk in OHSS.
- Ignoring male factor.
Free sample reproductive endocrinology and infertility questions
Questions from our O&G (RANZCOG) bank. Choose your answer, then open the explanation.
When should a couple with a female partner under 35 be investigated for infertility?
- AOnly after 3 years of trying
- BOnly if periods are irregular
- CAfter 12 months of trying
- DAfter 3 months of regular intercourse
- EAfter 6 months in every couple
Show answer and explanation
Answer C. Investigate after 12 months (or 6 months if 35 or older, or earlier with known risk factors).
Learning point: Infertility: 12 months, or 6 months if 35+.
What is an established fertility preservation option before chemotherapy?
- AOral contraceptive alone
- BHigh-dose vitamin E daily
- COocyte vitrification
- DOvarian ultrasound every month
- EDelaying chemotherapy a year
Show answer and explanation
Answer C. Oocyte or embryo vitrification are established; ovarian tissue cryopreservation is an option. GnRH agonists may protect ovaries.
Learning point: Fertility preservation: oocyte or embryo freezing.
What does a low anti-Mullerian hormone level best predict?
- APoor response to stimulation
- BInability to conceive naturally
- CTubal blockage
- DPCOS
- EMenopause within the next year
Show answer and explanation
Answer A. AMH reflects ovarian reserve and predicts response to stimulation in IVF. It does not reliably predict natural fertility or the exact timing of menopause.
Learning point: Low AMH predicts poor response to ovarian stimulation.
Practise more reproductive endocrinology and infertility questions free
Every reproductive endocrinology and infertility subtopic in our bank
The bank holds 22 reproductive endocrinology and infertility questions across 21 subtopics. You can filter by any of them, build a custom block and track your accuracy subtopic by subtopic.
- Androgen insensitivity1
- Anti-Mullerian hormone1
- Endometrioma and IVF1
- Fertility preservation2
- Hydrosalpinx1
- Hydrosalpinx and IVF1
- Hyperandrogenism1
- Infertility definition1
- IVF risks1
- Kallmann syndrome1
- MRKH1
- OHSS prevention1
- Ovarian reserve1
- Ovulation confirmation1
- Ovulation induction in PCOS1
- Premature ovarian insufficiency1
- Recurrent miscarriage1
- Semen analysis1
- Tubal patency1
- Turner and fertility1
- Turner syndrome1
Common questions
Which PCOS guideline is used?
The international evidence-based guideline for PCOS, led from Australia.
Is IVF tested in detail?
Principles, indications and complications are commonly examined.
What defines premature ovarian insufficiency?
Loss of ovarian function before 40 with raised FSH.
Sources
Clinical content is summarised from current Australian guidance at the date above. Guidelines change, so always check the latest edition.