I am sharing my experience of mrcpsych, hope doctors preparing for mrcpsych finds it helpful.cheers.
Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (Mrcpsych) is a post nominal qualification mandated by the Royal College of Psychiatrists
From 2015 the number of MRCPsych Written papers will reduce from three to two
2 Written Papers – Paper A and B
MRCPsych Paper A: The scientific and theoretical basis of psychiatry
MRCPsych Paper B’: Critical review and the clinical topics in psychiatry
1 Clinical Examination (CASC)-Clinical Assessment of Skills and Competencies
A new 1643-day ( Roughly 4 years 5 months )Written Paper Validity Period will commence for such candidates starting from the date of publication of the results of the first paper PASSED
Those who within the 1643-day Written Paper Validity Period have taken time out from employment and/or training for parental leave will on production of supporting documentation be entitled to a further maximum of 365 days by reference to the period of parental leave.
October 2014 an examination undertaken and passed whilst outside an approved training post will only count towards a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) if the candidate re-enters training within seven years of passing the relevant examination.
1 January 2020: To ensure equal opportunities for all candidates, whether based in the UK or overseas, no more than two attempts at the CASC are permitted in each calendar year, regardless of venue
24 months whole time equivalent post foundation/internship experience in Psychiatry by the time of sitting the CASC to include the following:
Individual Posts should normally be of a minimum of 4 months duration regardless of the number of weekly sessions. Trainees are expected to work a minimum of 50% (or five sessions a week).
Appropriate experience gained by candidates is to be verified by sponsors
The format of Papers A and B exam is that candidates complete 150 questions
It is made up of approximately:
- two-thirds multiple choice questions (MCQ) – 100 approx.
- one-third extended matching item questions (EMI)- 50 approx.
(If 3 questions per EMI (theme) then, about 16 EMI themes).
Time is very crucial. Stat exam revision early so that you would be ready by the time you apply for it.
Finally, the vignettes are given and the candidate asked to choose one or more best options from the option list.
One mark is given for each correct answer
There is no point covering areas which don’t appear in the exam and your time would be better spent learning things which will be.
Syllabus:
Behavioural Science and Socio-cultural Psychiatry 16.67% / 25
Human Development 16.67% / 25
Classification and Assessment in Psychiatry 16.67% / 25
Total: 75
- Basic Neurosciences 25.00% / 37 or 38
- Clinical Psychopharmacology 25.00% / 37 or 38
Total: 75
There are numerous revision books, websites, courses and other resources available though remember that more expensive doesn’t always mean better.
Revision courses generally come in two types; classroom-based and online.
Many training programmes however incorporate a local MRCPsych course within their educational teaching programme – these are often subsidised with the cost being covered by your study leave budget.
Trainees Online - this is a series of e-learning modules that have been written by higher trainees who have passed the MRCPysch: free for trainee
Symptoms in the Mind by Andrew Sims
Fish’s Clinical Psychopathology: Signs and Symptoms in Psychiatry by Patricia R. Casey & Brendan Kelly
Stahl’s Essential Psychopharmacology: Neuroscientific Basis and Practical Applications by Stephen M. Stahl
The Doctor’s Guide to Critical Appraisal by Narinder Gosall and Gopal Gosall
Maudsley Prescribing Guidelines by David Taylor
Psychology for the MRCPsych by Marcus Munafo
Get through mrcpsych: A and B: Melvyn WB Zhang
Keep track of question numbers in the order.
Do not leave any questions unanswered as they all carry equal marks.
Do not leave any question for later, answer all question in the order.
Handle answer sheet with good care (computerised marking). There is no negative marking
Do not panic when you see a difficult question or you cannot remember the answer.
Remember this an exam, you should expect difficult questions, some of them even out of syllabus.
Up to 30% questions you would find difficult and you are not sure of the answer. 10% questions can be very difficult. Remember, you all have exactly the same questions.
Use your common sense and logic at all time.
Check candidate number again at the end, make sure you have entered it correctly.
The CASC format is like an OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination).
The morning circuit will allow you 4 minutes to read the instructions and 7 minutes to complete the consultation task
The afternoon circuit will allow you 90 seconds to read the instructions and 7 minutes to complete the consultation task.
Speak to trainees who have sat the CASC. There is also information available online about past stations.
Take some time to get your mind round it, work out when the next sitting is and try again.
The feedback you will get from the College if you don’t pass a written paper only tells you which general areas you should work on rather than specific questions you got incorrect but use this information to try and guide your revision for next time.
Tackle these more difficult areas first rather than revising areas you are already good at.
Celebrate and take time off: Holiday