Medical practitioners preparing for the Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists qualification can use this page to review core requirements and practice AI-generated sample questions. We provide practical guidance on Paper A, Paper B, and the clinical CASC assessment, covering delivery options through Pearson VUE or in-person circuits, eligibility criteria, fees, registration dates, and structured revision methods based on published college standards.

MRCPsych Exam at a Glance

What changed for MRCPsych in 2026

• Oct 28, 2026: Delivery (Paper A and Paper B) changed to Pearson VUE test centre or online proctored (OnVUE) (previously Test centre, or remotely online on request).^[5]
• Oct 28, 2026: Eligibility (CASC) changed to 23 months WTE post-foundation psychiatry experience, pass in Papers A and B, and sponsorship (previously 23 months' WTE post-foundation psychiatry experience, plus sponsorship).^[6]
• Oct 28, 2026: Number of questions (Paper A) changed to 150 questions (approx. two-thirds MCQ, one-third EMI) (previously 150 questions (two-thirds MCQ, one-third EMI)).^[2]
• Oct 28, 2026: Number of questions (Paper B) changed to 150 questions (approx. two-thirds MCQ, one-third EMI) (previously 150 questions (about two-thirds MCQ, one-third EMI)).^[2]
• Oct 28, 2026: Time limit (CASC) changed to 7 minutes per station (4 min reading morning, 90 s afternoon) (previously 7 minutes per station (4 min reading in the morning, 90 s in the afternoon)).^[1]
• Oct 28, 2026: Validity changed to 6 years from first theory paper result publication (previously 6 years from first theory paper result).^[3]
• Oct 28, 2026: Exam fee (Paper A) changed to £633 (£571 for PMPT trainees and affiliates) (previously £630 (£568 PMPT/affiliates)).^[3]
• Oct 28, 2026: Exam fee (Paper B) changed to £570 (£513 for PMPT trainees and affiliates) (previously £567 (£511 PMPT/affiliates)).^[3]
• Oct 28, 2026: Exam fee (CASC (UK)) changed to £1,261 (£1,134 for PMPT trainees and affiliates) (previously £1,254 (£1,129 for PMPT trainees/affiliates)).^[3]
• Oct 28, 2026: Exam fee (CASC (Singapore)) changed to £1,636 (£1,473 for PMPT trainees and affiliates) (previously £1,628 (£1,465 PMPT/affiliates)).^[3]
• Oct 28, 2026: Passing score (CASC) changed to Total borderline regression score and pass in at least 12 stations (previously Total borderline regression score and pass in at least 12 of 16 stations).^[1]
• Oct 28, 2026: Registration opens (Paper B) changed to 30 November 2026 (February 2027 sitting) (previously Applications for the February 2027 sitting open 30 November 2026).^[3]

What the MRCPsych is and how it works

According to Royal College of Psychiatrists, “The sixteen CASC station exam is made up of: 5 x stations focused on History Taking, including risk assessment 5 x stations focused on Examination - both physical and mental state, including capacity assessment 6 x stations focused on patient Management.”^[1]

The Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (MRCPsych) qualification confirms clinical and scientific competence. Paper A requires status as a fully registered medical practitioner. Paper B requires enrolment in an approved training programme (with 12 months psychiatry experience recommended) or a recognized educational training post. The Clinical Assessment of Skills and Competencies (CASC) requires 23 months WTE post-foundation psychiatry experience, a pass in Papers A and B, and sponsorship.

Delivery and format vary across components:

• Paper A and Paper B: Delivered at a Pearson VUE test centre or online proctored via OnVUE. Each paper has 150 questions (approximately two-thirds MCQ and one-third EMI) with a time limit of 3 hours. Fees are £633 for Paper A (£571 for PMPT trainees and affiliates) and £570 for Paper B (£513 for PMPT trainees and affiliates).
• CASC: An in-person clinical assessment in OSCE format featuring 16 stations in two circuits. Stations allow 7 minutes each, with 4 min reading time in the morning circuit and 90 s in the afternoon circuit. Passing requires meeting the total borderline regression score and passing at least 12 stations. Fees are £1,261 in the UK (£1,134 for PMPT trainees and affiliates) and £1,636 in Singapore (£1,473 for PMPT trainees and affiliates). Refer to the Royal College of Psychiatrists for location details.

Regulations enforce a maximum of 6 attempts per exam. Candidates have 6 years from the first theory paper result publication to complete all parts. No late applications are accepted.

Worked examples: how to reason through MRCPsych questions

These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.

Example 1

Question: A patient with schizophrenia refuses a tuberculin skin test despite a history of possible TB exposure. Which legal provision is MOST relevant to managing this public health risk in England?

1. Section 2 of the Mental Health Act 1983
2. Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 and Health Protection Regulations 2010
3. Mental Capacity Act 2005 best interests decision
4. Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards

Answer: B. Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 and Health Protection Regulations 2010

Explanation:

Option B is correct because the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984, updated by the Health Protection Regulations 2010, provides the legal framework to address communicable diseases that threaten public health, authorizing powers such as compulsory medical evaluation or isolation for conditions like tuberculosis. Option A is incorrect because Section 2 of the Mental Health Act 1983 authorizes detention for assessment of mental disorders, not for investigating or treating unrelated physical infectious illnesses. Option C is incorrect because the Mental Capacity Act 2005 applies to individuals lacking decision-making capacity and does not override public health statutes when managing population health risks. Option D is incorrect because Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards address care arrangements amounting to confinement rather than infectious disease interventions. The general rule is that public health legislation governs infectious disease control, while psychiatric statutes remain restricted to mental disorder assessment and treatment.

Example 2

Question: What is the best approach when there is a language barrier with a client?

1. Use a qualified professional interpreter
2. Speak louder and slower in English
3. Use a family member for all translations
4. Skip detailed explanations and use gestures

Answer: A. Use a qualified professional interpreter

Explanation:

Option A is correct because utilizing a qualified professional interpreter ensures clinical accuracy, preserves patient confidentiality, and prevents misunderstandings during sensitive clinical consultations. Option B is incorrect because raising speech volume or altering tempo does not resolve vocabulary or comprehension deficits and can appear condescending. Option C is incorrect because relying on family members compromises patient privacy, risks subjective filtering or omission of distressing details, and places an unfair emotional burden on relatives. Option D is incorrect because eliminating necessary medical explanations compromises informed consent and clinical safety, while non-verbal gestures can easily be misinterpreted across different cultural backgrounds. The general clinical rule is that professional interpreters must be arranged whenever language barriers exist, ensuring clear communication, patient autonomy, and unbiased exchange of medical information.

Example 3

Question: What is a fundamental requirement for completing MRCPsych training?

1. Passing Paper A, Paper B, and CASC exam
2. Completing online modules only
3. Attending seminars without assessments
4. Observing clinical practice without participation

Answer: A. Passing Paper A, Paper B, and CASC exam

Explanation:

Option A is correct because achieving the MRCPsych requires passing Paper A, Paper B, and the CASC exam, which collectively assess scientific foundations, clinical knowledge, critical review, and practical clinical skills. Option B is incorrect because online modules alone do not provide formal examination or direct validation of psychiatric competence. Option C is incorrect because seminar attendance is purely educational and does not fulfill the mandatory assessment standards established by the Royal College of Psychiatrists. Option D is incorrect because passive observation does not evaluate active clinical competency, diagnostic formulation, or psychiatric communication. The general rule is that full MRCPsych qualification requires formal progression through both written theory papers and the practical clinical assessment.

How to use these practice tests

A structured revision schedule helps candidates prepare methodically for MRCPsych examinations alongside clinical duties.

1. Build Core Knowledge: Work through targeted sets such as MRCPsych Pharmacology Fundamentals and MRCPsych Psychological Treatments and Psychotherapy. Review explanations thoroughly to identify conceptual gaps.
2. Simulate Written Papers: For Paper A and Paper B, replicate exam conditions by answering blocks of 150 questions within a 3 hours time limit. Practise both multiple-choice and extended matching formats to adapt to Pearson VUE delivery.
3. Target Ethics and Communication: Strengthen legal and consultation knowledge using MRCPsych Clinical Practice & Ethical Standards and MRCPsych Patient Communication Skills.
4. Rehearse Practical Stations: For CASC preparation, practise clinical consultations across 16 stations, timing each station to 7 minutes. Focus on structured history taking, risk assessment, and capacity evaluation.
5. Review Diagnostic Evaluation: Refine clinical assessment techniques using MRCPsych Patient Assessment and Evaluation before test day.

Sources & last verified

1. Royal College of Psychiatrists — number of questions, time limit, passing score, delivery (official source). “The sixteen CASC station exam is made up of: 5 x stations focused on History Taking, including risk assessment 5 x stations focused on Examination…” Verified Oct 28, 2026.
2. Royal College of Psychiatrists — number of questions, time limit (official source). “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)…” Verified Oct 28, 2026.
3. Royal College of Psychiatrists — exam fee, validity, next exam date, registration opens (official source). “CASC (Singapore) £1,473 £1,636” Verified Oct 28, 2026.
4. Royal College of Psychiatrists — retake policy (official source). “There is a limit of six attempts per exam.” Verified Oct 28, 2026.
5. pearsonvue.com — delivery (official source). “Papers A and B are delivered in Pearson in test centres or online and assess knowledge and understanding across scientific, theoretical, clinical and critical review…” Verified Oct 28, 2026.
6. Royal College of Psychiatrists — eligibility (official source). “You are eligible to take CASC if: You have 23 months’ whole time equivalent post foundation / internship experience in psychiatry. AND A pass in…” Verified Oct 28, 2026.

How we verify: editorial & fact-checking policy. Report an error: contact us.