We are sorry for the upset and distress caused by the news that because of historically high application numbers exceeding available places, a number of candidates have not been allocated a place to sit the January 2026-1 CASC exam. The situation is deeply regrettable and unsatisfactory to us all.
We received an unprecedented 937 applications for the 2026-1 CASC, which surpassed all previous records, and reflects the increasing popularity of psychiatry.
Due to this oversubscription, we implemented the first-come first-served prioritisation criteria set out in the MRCPsych regulations and offered all 826 available places to applicants (88% of those who applied).
We are doing everything possible to organise an additional CASC Diet that will meet the national recruitment timelines for those who have not been allocated a place in the January CASC. We are in direct communication with those affected.
In the longer term, we have already set up a task and finish group to look at how best to avoid stalled progression for UK Resident Doctors. We acknowledge that the needs of UK Core Resident Doctors who face time-sensitive progression need to be given particular consideration.
We are liaising with the National Recruitment Board to ensure they are aware of the current situation.
Dr Lade Smith CBE, President
Professor Subodh Dave, Dean
Dr Ian Hall, Treasurer
Professor Owen Bowden-Jones CBE, Registrar
Dr Nermeen Ahmed, Chair of the Psychiatric Resident Doctors' Committee
Dr Vivek Agarwal, Chief Examiner
For further information, please contact:
- Email: press@rcpsych.ac.uk
- X: @rcpsych
- Out-of-hours contact number: 07860 755896