Exam FAQs during the pandemic

The College will be assessing this to see if it is possible.

For Written Exams this will only be possible for candidates with special circumstances and these must be made clear at the time of application.

RCPsych reserves the right to request evidence of such circumstances if deemed applicable. CASC exams can only be held remotely at this time so no exceptions can be made for this particular diet of the exam.

For Papers A and B, it is highly unlikely that we will be going back to their written form.

With CASC, we hope to be going back to face-to-face interviews when the restrictions are lifted and the pandemic is under sufficient control.

Not wanting to take the exam online will not be considered a valid reason for extending the validity period as the exam is available to take.

Demo sites are currently being developed for Papers A and B as well as CASC, and will be made available as soon as possible. Candidates who have applied for either exam will be notified when they are available. 

The CASC Panel is currently looking into the stations that are going to be used during the online exam to make sure that all the cases used will be suitable for a video consultation. The blueprint of the exam remains the same, and we will ensure that the exam covers it. 

You can find the information about technical requirements here:

• Paper A and Paper B
• CASC

Yes, within each section. Once you finish a section and take a comfort break that section will be locked and will not allow you to return to prior questions. 

We are working with Pearson Vue to deliver Papers A and B and Fry IT to deliver the CASC.

Videos demonstrating how each system will work will be uploaded to the website shortly. 

No. We are currently considering how we might be able to offer example videos or demonstrations of stations on our website.  We suggest running mock CASCs using videoconferencing software.

Yes, Papers A and B will be split into sections to allow for regular toilet breaks. For CASC, the exam timings will stay the same and thus candidates will be able to go for comfort breaks after each session as usual.

Every exam will have a human proctor available to speak to you should any issues occur. In the case of the CASC we request you only flag such things to the proctor and not the examiner or role player. 

Pearson Vue's AI system will only be used to alert the human proctor so the proctor will check immediately and if they have any concerns, they will make a note and query with you what is happening. 

For Papers A and B candidates will be able to take notes during the exam using a notepad app. We are still working on a solution for note taking during the CASC. This  will be confirmed shortly. 

The exact procedure for such an occurrence will be made available to the candidates shortly. 

Candidates are responsible for ensuring they have a good internet connection and adequate equipment to take the exam, you can find more detail on this in our guidelines:

• Guidelines to make sure you have the correct technical set up to take the exam (Paper A and B)

• Guidelines to make sure you have the correct technical set up to take the exam (CASC)

Detailed procedures outlining what to do should you experience a technical issue during the exam will be shared with candidates prior to the exam. 

For the CASC these guidelines will also include information on what to do if the examiner or role player in your session experience a technical issue. 

All pass marks will be calculated using the same methods as in previous examinations. The only thing that has changed is the delivery process.

See

• Paper A and Paper B marking scheme
• CASC guide for trainees

We have maintained the format of our examinations and the methods of assessment remain the same. Please familiarise yourself with the following sections of the website:

• Blueprint for CASC
• A fair exam