MRCPSYCH Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield MRCPSYCH facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. During an initial assessment, what should be documented first? → Chief complaint and history of present illness
2. What is the ethical obligation regarding continuing education? → Maintaining current knowledge and competence throughout ones career
3. How should sensitive information be communicated to a client? → In a private setting using clear, empathetic language
4. What is the correct sequence for a physical assessment? → Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation
5. Which cytochrome P450 enzyme is primarily responsible for the metabolism of clozapine? → CYP1A2
6. What is the foundational principle of professional ethics in MRCPsych practice? → Acting in the best interest of the client or patient
7. When performing a Mental State Examination, which component specifically assesses the patient's awareness of their own illness? → Insight
8. Which of the following is a validated scale specifically designed to assess the severity of alcohol withdrawal? → CIWA-Ar (Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol)
9. A psychiatrist notes that a patient's GAF (Global Assessment of Functioning) score improved from 45 to 70 after treatment. What does this change represent? → Movement from serious to mild symptoms or impairment
10. Which best describes 'projective identification' as used in object relations theory? → The therapist identifies with the patient's projected feelings and may act them out
11. Which of the following best describes 'empathic accuracy' in a psychiatric interview? → Accurately identifying and naming the patient's current emotional state
12. Which of the following is a key component of MRCPsych training? → Clinical placements in various psychiatric specialties
13. A psychiatric inpatient with known MRSA is prescribed oral antibiotics. Which additional infection control measure is MOST important in an acute ward setting? → Isolate the patient in a side room with contact precautions
14. What is the primary purpose of a comprehensive patient assessment in MRCPsych practice? → To establish a baseline for treatment planning
15. What is the primary objective of the MRCPsych training program? → Prepare trainees for independent clinical practice
16. The PANSS (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale) assesses symptoms in schizophrenia across how many subscales? → Three (positive, negative, and general psychopathology)
17. When managing a psychiatric patient who has taken a significant paracetamol overdose, what is the primary antidote used in emergency treatment? → N-acetylcysteine
18. Which enzyme does acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (e.g., donepezil) target, and what is the net effect? → Inhibit acetylcholinesterase, increasing acetylcholine at the synapse
19. What is the purpose of a professional code of ethics? → To establish standards of conduct and protect the public
20. In the assessment of a patient with possible dementia, the history from a reliable informant is essential primarily because: → Cognitive impairment reduces insight into and accurate reporting of deficits
21. A psychiatrist develops a romantic attraction to a current patient. What is the most ethical course of action? → Seek supervision, consider transferring care, and not act on the feelings
22. What is the role of confidentiality in psychiatric care? → Protects patient privacy and encourages honest communication
23. What is the minimum duration of the core psychiatry training (CT1-CT3) required before a trainee can sit the MRCPsych Paper A? → 12 months
24. The concept of 'concordance' in psychiatric treatment differs from 'compliance' in that concordance: → Focuses on achieving agreement through shared decision-making
25. Which assessment tool is most commonly used to evaluate cognitive function? → Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)
26. What is the purpose of the MRCPsych exams? → Assess competency for professional psychiatric practice
27. A patient taking fluoxetine is prescribed codeine for pain. She metabolises codeine poorly. Which enzyme deficit explains inadequate analgesia? → CYP2D6, which converts codeine to active morphine
28. When conducting research involving psychiatric patients, which body provides the primary ethical oversight for clinical research in the UK? → NHS Health Research Authority Research Ethics Committees (RECs)
29. Which leadership style is most associated with fostering intrinsic motivation and personal growth in junior psychiatry trainees? → Transformational leadership
30. The Maudsley Prescribing Guidelines recommend plasma level monitoring for which drug primarily to assess adherence and toxicity? → Clozapine