This information guide is
intended for trainee psychiatrists who are preparing for their
assessments and postgraduate examinations. The information should
be used as a guide only and is not a substitute for professional
advice. For further information on the MRCPsych examinations and
the core competencies, see the College website or contact the College’s
Professional Standards Department, tel: 020 7235 2351 ext 6252. If
you need further advice and support, please contact the Psychiatrists’ Support
Service.
Curriculum
The new curriculum for psychiatric
training has been designed to ensure that a high standard of
training is accomplished using a patient-based and learner-centred
approach. The curriculum
defines the competencies, professional behaviour and attitudes
which psychiatrists should acquire and demonstrate in their
clinical practice.
Workplace-based assessments (WPBAs)
will take place throughout the 6 years of specialist training and
competencies will be rated according to the level of training.
Psychiatrists in training must register with the Royal College of
Psychiatrists’ Portfolio Online and complete
their mandatory WPBAs. The evidence collected in the assessments
will form part of the annual review of competence progression
(ARCP), at which educational supervisors and College tutors review
your training.
MRCPsych examination
The College membership (MRCPsych)
examinations comprise three written papers (MRCPsych Papers 1, 2
and 3), each of which is 3-hours long and contains approximately
200 questions. The papers include the ‘best answer 1 of 5’ format,
multiple choice questions and extended matching items. Following
the written papers there is a Clinical Assessment of Skills and
Competencies (CASC) examination. This is a 16-station examination,
testing candidates’ competency in clinical skills, appropriate to
their stage of training. The examination is split into two sets of
eight stations. One set comprises stations linked in pairs; the
clinical task in the first station will be linked to a related task
in the second station. The other set is made up of individual
‘stand-alone’ stations.
The written Papers 1, 2 and 3 can
be taken at any time and in any order once you are a trainee in a
post-foundation post in psychiatry. The CASC examination can be
taken after successful completion of Papers 1, 2 and 3 and if you
have a minimum of 24 months’ experience in post-foundation training
in psychiatry.
Further details regarding exams
regulations can be found on the College website.
Trainees are advised to start
studying early in their specialist training years and to pace their
studies throughout training.
TIPS
- Find the best books/training
materials
- Find a place to study that is
quiet and comfortable
- Build on your existing knowledge
base and experience
- Make notes or mind maps to aid
learning and revision
- Set aside a regular time to
study
- Allow time for preparation and
breaks from studying
- Keep a balance between work and
personal life
Preparation
The following tips may help you go
through the assessments and examinations more easily:
- Study the curriculum
- Plan when you are going to take
the examinations (take account of your personal circumstances)
- Seek advice from those who have
already passed the exam, especially those who have done so
recently
- Create your own study
programme
- Plan your application for study
leave/revision courses
- Form a study group with others who
are also preparing for the exam
- Practise scenarios for the CASC
with others who have done the exam before
Study skills and techniques
Postgraduate examinations require a
significantly greater depth and breadth of knowledge than
undergraduate examinations. There is no escape from having to learn
vast amounts of information to pass the MRCPsych examination.
It is important to reinforce memory
by revising and by practising recall. Clinical scenarios are useful
especially for the CASC.
Belonging to a study group may help
you reduce your workload of finding information and enable you to
share experience and provide support to each other. Study groups
also aid reflection on progress.
It is important to discuss learning
and your progress with your educational supervisor. If you lack
experience or would benefit from more training in a particular
area, make sure these educational needs are addressed.
Practice
Core competencies are the basis of
the new format for training so it is important to use every
opportunity to learn and practise clinical skills. Practise a
variety of scenarios to prepare for the WPBAs. Other mental health
professionals will be involved in these assessments and trainees
will need skills in teamworking.
TIPS
- Find out what is required at your
level of training
- Do not get downhearted if you do
not achieve high marks in the early stages of training, your marks
should improve during training
- Plan your WPBAs at the beginning
of each post and relate this to your learning objectives
- Keep the necessary paperwork to
hand
- Keep a record of WPBAs
- Obtain feedback and take steps to
improve your performance
Theory
The core curriculum has sections
which must be covered. There are various ways of approaching this –
some trainees skim all sections and then return to studying
specific topics in depth, others methodically study each section in
turn before moving to the next. Choose the method that works best
for you.
Stress management
Although the time frame for
training has been set, trainees will inevitably face setbacks and
sometimes fail to pass assessments or examinations on time. This
can create pressure and lead to stress and disruption of
training.
TIPS
- Identify your support network of
family and friends
- Talk to your clinical and
educational supervisor
- Develop coping strategies to deal
with anxiety
- Avoid using stimulants
Administration
Ensure that you apply to take the
examinations in plenty of time, as forms must be completed and
returned to the College. On the examination day, make sure that you
arrive at the examination venue in plenty of time.
If you are not successful
There may be various reasons why
you were not successful and it is important to find out why it
happened so you can address the issues. Feedback from the College’s
Professional Standards Department will be sent to you. It is also
advisable to seek advice from your College tutor and your
educational supervisor – listen carefully to their suggestions and
make notes so that you can look over them later. If you have failed
a particular part of the examination, ensure that this area is an
identified learning need. While you focus on this area, continue to
revise the other sections of the curriculum, with a range of
consultants. This should help you to regain your confidence.
Changes may be needed in your attitude, knowledge base or skills,
and you may need to widen your clinical experience.
Sources of further help and support
Royal College
of Psychiatrists
Professional Standards
Department
17 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PG
Tel: 0207 235 2351 ext 6252
Psychiatrists’ Support
Service
Royal College of Psychiatrists
17 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PG
Tel: 020 7245 0412
Email: pss@rcpsych.ac.uk
Further reading
- BHUGRA, D. (2006) The new
curriculum for psychiatric training. Advances in Psychiatric
Treatment, 12, 393–396.
- BHUGRA, D., MALIK, A. & BROWN,
N. (2007) Workplace-Based Assessments in Psychiatry.
Gaskell.
- CORMAC, I. & MARSTON, G.
(1999) How to pass the MRCPsych examination. Psychiatric
Bulletin, 23, 172–176.
© Royal College of Psychiatrists 2012
If you require advice and support about a particular issue then please contact the
Psychiatrists' Support Service at the Royal College of Psychiatrists on 0207 245
0412 or email
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