Preparing for exams
This section will help you learn more about what you need to do to prepare for Paper A, Paper B and CASC.
A College resource available is MRCPsych eLearning, offering online learning resources to support resident doctors preparing for MRCPsych exams. For any queries regarding MRCPsych eLearning, please contact elearning@rcpsych.ac.uk.
More more about preparing for our exams see our frequently asked questions.
MRCPsych Paper A is a written paper on the scientific and theoretical basis of psychiatry.
How long is the exam and what are the questions?
Paper A is a three hour exam worth 150 marks, comprised of 150 questions.
It is made up of approximately:
- two-thirds multiple choice questions (MCQ) and
- one-third extended matching item questions (EMI).
What does it cover?
Paper A covers the following sections of the syllabus:
- Behavioural Science and Sociocultural Psychiatry
- Human Development
- Basic Neurosciences
- Clinical Psychopharmacology
- Classification and Assessment in Psychiatry
On Paper A, the percentage split/marks on a 150 mark exam is/would be:
| Section | Percentage split/marks |
|---|---|
| Behavioural Science and Socio-cultural Psychiatry | 16.67% / 25 |
| Human Development | 16.67% / 25 |
| Basic Neurosciences | 25.00% / 37 or 38 |
| Clinical Psychopharmacology | 25.00% / 37 or 38 |
| Classification and Assessment in Psychiatry | 16.67% / 25 |
Current syllabus (PDF)
Sample questions from Paper A (PDF)
Members of the College can log in and access sample questions from this link. Non-members should email the Examinations team at examinations@rcpsych.ac.uk
MRCPsych Paper B is a written paper which assesses critical review and the clinical topics in psychiatry.
How long is the exam and what are the questions?
Paper B is a three-hour exam worth 150 marks, comprised of 150 questions.
It is made up of approximately two-thirds multiple-choice questions (MCQ) and one-third extended matching item questions (EMI).
- One-third of the paper covers critical review.
- Two-thirds of the paper covers clinical topics.
What will it cover?
Paper B will cover the following sections of the syllabus:
- Organisation and Delivery of Psychiatric Services
- General Adult Psychiatry
- Old Age Psychiatry
- Psychotherapy
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Substance Misuse/Addictions
- Forensic Psychiatry
- Psychiatry of Learning Disability
- Critical Review
| Section | Percentage split/marks |
|---|---|
| Organisation and delivery | 5.50% / 8 |
| General Adult | 20.00% / 30 |
| Old Age | 9.00% / 14 |
| Psychotherapy | 5.50% / 8 |
| Child & Adolescent | 9.00% / 14 |
| Substance misuse | 6.50% / 10 |
| Forensic | 5.50% / 8 |
| Learning disability | 5.50% / 8 |
| Critical Review | 33.5% / 50 |
Current syllabus (PDF)
Current critical review syllabus (PDF)
Members of the College can log in and access sample questions from this link. Non-members should email the Examinations team. Examinations@rcpsych.ac.uk
Sample questions from Paper B - Login required (PDF)
