Independent DFPH revision
Prepare for the Diplomate Examination with focused, exam-style practice, a plain-English guide to every paper and practical revision advice. Try the free questions now, or read about the prep pack we are building.
Using national age-specific death rates as the standard, a local authority area has a standardised mortality ratio (SMR) of 120 for all-cause mortality. Which statement is the best interpretation of this figure?
Independent preparation resource. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the Faculty of Public Health.
Sample question and explanation
Most of the DFPH is written. So alongside quick single-best-answer checks, our practice includes short-answer questions with model answer points and a note on how marks are usually earned. Draft, reveal, tick what you covered, move on.
An observational study reports that people whose cancer was detected by screening survived, on average, three years longer from diagnosis than people whose cancer was detected after symptoms appeared. Define lead-time bias and length-time bias, and explain how a randomised controlled trial design addresses both.
(6 marks)
Paper I, IIA and IIB
Two written papers, each in two parts. Each guide covers what the paper tests, how questions are typically framed, how to approach them and the mistakes that cost marks.
Knowledge and understanding
The knowledge paper. Compulsory short-answer questions across the breadth of the syllabus, sat in two parts (IA and IB) on the same day.
Practice topics include
Critical appraisal
The critical appraisal paper. You are given a published research paper and asked structured questions about its design, conduct, results and implications.
Practice topics include
Data interpretation
The data paper. Several sections built around tables, charts and statistical output, testing whether you can manipulate, interpret and present public health data.
Practice topics include
Free versus prep pack
Everything marked free is available now, with no account. The prep pack is in development: we will only describe and sell what actually exists, with the price, access period and refund policy stated up front.
Planned features are described so you know the direction of travel. They are not promises, and nothing is on sale until the pack is complete.
How it works
Read the exam guide and the guide to each paper so the format, the command words and the marking expectations hold no surprises.
Answer exam-style questions, then read the explanation or model points. The aim is to understand why an answer scores, not to memorise it.
Use the advice articles to build a realistic timetable around the official syllabus, with timed written practice as the backbone.
What you can trust
Independent preparation resource. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the Faculty of Public Health. We would rather be plainly useful than impressively vague.
Every question is written from scratch to resemble the style of the exam. We never claim to reproduce or predict official questions.
You will not find pass rates, question counts we cannot show you, testimonials or guarantees here. If a figure appears on this site, it is either real or clearly marked as proposed.
Each guide carries the date it was last reviewed, so you can judge how current it is and check it against the official syllabus.
Where format, timing or regulations matter, we point you to the Faculty of Public Health rather than paraphrasing from memory.
FAQs
No. DFPHprep is an independent preparation resource. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or in any way connected to the Faculty of Public Health, which sets and runs the Diplomate Examination. For regulations, dates, the syllabus and official guidance, always use the FPH website.
No account, no payment, no catch. See how the explanations work, then decide whether the rest of the site earns a place in your revision.