The MRCPsych examination is in four
parts: three written papers and a final clinical examination. Each
written paper is three hours long and contains 200 questions. These
are a combination of ‘best answer 1 of 5’ style multiple choice
questions (MCQs) and extended matching items (EMIs). Approximately
one third of each paper is in an EMI format.
Paper 1 can only be taken after 12
months specialty training in general adult psychiatry with or
without a period in old age psychiatry. Jobs must be for at least
four months and the candidate must have done at least six months in
general adult psychiatry. The paper covers the core elements of
psychiatry including assessment of patients and some of the basic
science associated with psychiatry.
Paper 2 builds on Paper 1’s
introduction to basic science by focussing much more on this area
as well as covering a wider range of theory. The clinical focus on
general adult psychiatry continues. This part of the examination is
taken between 18 and 48 months of training.
Paper 3 covers the range of
psychiatric sub-specialties in addition to general adult psychiatry
and introduces a ‘Critical Review’ component (which makes up about
one third of the paper) and statistics. It is sat between 24 and 48
months in training.
The MRCPsych clinical examination
is known as the CASC (Clinical Assessment of Skills and
Competencies). The format should be familiar to anyone who has ever
been involved in OSCEs. Specifically, this examination comprises
two circuits completed on the same day; one of eight individual
stations, the other of four pairs of linked stations. The spread of
skills assessed includes history, mental state examination, risk
assessment, cognitive examination, physical examination, case
discussion and difficult communication This exam requires the
candidate to have passed all the written papers, completed a number
of workplace-based assessments and have completed 30 months in
training.
Please check the exam pages on the College website for
up-to-date information on the exams.
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Page last updated on 16 May 2010 by E
Baker-Glenn