FAQs about preparing for exams
Here are the answers to the most common questions we receive about preparing for exams.
You can also find answers to commonly asked questions on our other FAQs pages:
Paper A and B preparation
Multiple choice questions make up around two thirds of each paper – these have an independent question stem and five choices from which you must choose one. Extended matching items make up the balance – several questions share a common question stem and you must choose one answer from a much longer list of options.
In Paper A, the online exam is separated into three parts each with approximately 50 questions, so that you have an opportunity to take a break if you so wish.
Paper B has two sections in the exam blueprint. Section A covers critical review and makes up about a third of the paper. Section B covers clinical topics and makes up the other two-thirds of the paper. The Paper B online exam is also separated into three parts, roughly corresponding with how long it might take you to complete each third of the exam. Different numbers of questions will appear in each part depending on the makeup of the paper. The number of questions shown to be completed applies to each part of the exam, not to the overall exam. There are always 150 in total.
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 earlier questions.
The World Health Organization (WHO) Eleventh Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) has now come into effect (since 11th February 2022).
Knowledge about ICD-11 may be examined in the MRCPsych Examination from the second diets in 2022 onwards. ICD-10 may also be examined while it remains in common usage.
Please refer to the online training guides for detailed information on the system requirements.
CASC preparation
The CASC guide for candidates provides detailed guidance on the structure of the CASC.
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.
Please refer to the online training guides for detailed information on the system requirements.
For the CASC exam, we provide a live session with an onboarder to explain the exam environment. We will contact you one month before your exam with details of how to book your onboarding session. We have also provided a video of a station being conducted using the platform in the CASC training guide.
You will be sent confirmation of the date four weeks before your exam.
You will be sent your log in details for the CASC exam the day before you are due to sit your exam.
The dress code for the exam is smart casual. You are aiming for professional but comfortable.
Yes, you can make notes on blank paper or a blank notepad. You should destroy any notes at the end of the exam. We reserve the right to ask to see your notes during the exam.
You should have a phone available, but out of your immediate reach, in case we need to contact you during the exam or in case you have an urgent need to contact us. The phone should be set to silent (and not vibrate).
CASC onboarding
External monitors are permitted if they have their own webcams and you are confident in switching between video and audio sources. Be very cautious otherwise, as often the camera is not in the right position for your face to be naturally visible and so the examiner may not be able to see you clearly.
Please note you are only permitted to use one screen for the exam. So you must not use an external monitor alongside a laptop screen.
This may qualify as a rerun which means you will have the oppotunity to re do the station at the end of the exam session. Invigilators have been provided with guidance on when a rerun will be allowed. Reruns will take place immediately after the last station within a circuit. You will be guided back to the station that needs to be rerun.
See CASC Exam day support FAQs for details of the IT Support number.