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? (This is current for 2026)
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 (2026). For the 2027 Syllabus see here.
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? (This is current for 2026)
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 (2026) (PDF) For the 2027 Syllabus see here.
Current critical review syllabus (2026) (PDF) For the 2027 Syllabus see here.
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)
Overview
The College has published a revised syllabus for the MRCPsych Theory Examinations.
The updated syllabus will apply to Paper A and Paper B examinations from January 2027.
Development and approval
This revision follows the syllabus review that began in 2024 with the aim of ensuring the examinations continue to reflect the 2022 Core Psychiatry Curriculum, current clinical practice and the knowledge expected of doctors undertaking core psychiatry training.
The review focused on maintaining the high standards of the MRCPsych while ensuring the syllabus remains relevant, clear and up to date.
The revised syllabus has been developed through a structured review process involving psychiatrists across specialties, alongside educational and assessment expertise from within the College.
It has been approved by the Examinations Committee and the Education and Training Committee, before being approved by the General Medical Council (GMC).
What’s new in the syllabus
The overall structure remains the same.
The updates have been made across most domains; including revisions to reflect developments in neuroscience, psychopharmacology, psychotherapy, research methods and evidence-based practice, alongside updates across the clinical specialties.
The revised syllabus also incorporates areas of increasing importance within psychiatric practice, including neurodevelopment, cultural influences on mental health and trauma-informed care.
Paper A
Has gone from five to four domains, with the combining of behavioural science and sociocultural psychiatry and human development to create a single psychology and human development domain. This domain places greater emphasis on social cognition, attachment, adverse childhood experiences, resilience, cultural influences on mental health and the social determinants of health.
Neuroscience has been updated to reflect advances in genetics, neuroimmunology, neurodevelopment, neurodiversity and modern neurobiological models of psychiatric illness.
In Clinical Psychopharmacology, greater attention is given to personalised prescribing, treatment resistance, pharmacogenetics and emerging treatments.
Paper B
Classification and Assessment in Psychiatry places increased emphasis on formulation, structured assessment and evidence-informed approaches to risk assessment.
Across clinical specialties, the syllabus has been strengthened to reflect current practice. Examples include expanded coverage of crisis care, emergency psychiatry and perinatal mental health in General Adult Psychiatry; safeguarding, neurodevelopmental disorders and transitions to adult services in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry; and frailty and physical comorbidity in Old Age Psychiatry.
Psychotherapy now includes greater coverage of approaches such as mentalisation-based therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy and trauma-focused therapies, while Addictions Psychiatry includes a broader focus on recovery, harm reduction and behavioural addictions.
The revised research and critical review domain places increased emphasis on critical appraisal, interpretation of research evidence, statistical understanding, and the application of evidence-based principles to clinical practice
Transition
The revised syllabus will take effect for all MRCPsych Theory Examinations from January 2027.
Candidates sitting Paper A or Paper B examinations up to and including December 2026 should continue to prepare using the current syllabus. Candidates planning to sit examinations from January 2027 onwards should use the revised syllabus as the basis for their preparation.
To support implementation, we will be hosting a webinar at 2pm on 5 November 2026 (registration details to follow). The webinar will be recorded and will be available online.
Key Dates
- 5 November 2026 - Webinar for candidates and educators
- January 2027 - Revised syllabus introduced for Paper A and Paper B examinations
Access the Syllabus
The revised MRCPsych Theory Syllabus is available in both web and PDF formats here: MRCPsych Theory Examination Syllabus
For questions about the syllabus review or implementation, please contact the Examinations Team at examinations@rcpsych.ac.uk.