MRCPsych examination is a central component of training for psychiatrists in the UK. This exam is designed to evaluate the basic medical science knowledge and clinical skills of a candidate that is needed for the examination and management in psychiatry.
For worldwide doctors, MRCPsych is one of the primary routes that aim to take more senior roles in their present practice. According to IMG, this exam is the best route to choose to grow more in this part of medical science.
The doctors need to be registered with a recognized medical board in their country of residence and must already have undergone training of 3 years and MRCPsych in the UK is a prerequisite to anybody who wants to go on to a proficient training post as a physician in the UK.
Content and format of the exam-
MRCPsych exam comprises 2 written papers and a clinical test (CASC). Usually, UK psychiatrists would appear in paper A from FY2. Applicants will then evolutes through the MRCPsych test from CT1-CT3 previous to going on individual training for CCT.
Part-A- Scientific and theoretical basis of psychiatry (90-Minutes)
It’s a written examination
consists of 150 questions and the test are of 150 marks, of two-third MCQs and one-third EMI- extended matching item questions. This paper covers the following sections of the syllabus-
1- Basic neuroscience
2- Classification and assessment in psychiatry
3- Behavioural science and socio-cultural psychiatry
4- Human development
5- Clinical psychopharmacology
This paper is now conducted online also.
Paper-B- Critical review and clinical topics in psychiatry (90-Minutes)
Again this is a written test and it consists of 150 questions and the test is of 150 marks. In this paper, one-third is critical review and two-third is clinical topics. This paper covers topics like-
1- General adult
2- Critical review
3- Organization and delivery
4- Learning disability
5- Old age
6- Forensic
7- Psychotherapy
8- Substance misuse
9- Child & adolescent
This paper can be online taken.
CASC-
Clinical and assessment of skills and competencies are based upon the format like OSCEs. The test comprises 2 circuits that need to be done on the same day. Overall, the circuit includes 16 stations, made of- 5 stations on history taking, which includes risk evaluation, 5 stations on the exam which includes physical and mental state, and 6 stations on patient management.
How to prepare?
This section on MRCPsych paper preparationhelps the candidate to learn more about what they need to do for preparation for each test.
Paper-A
It’s a 3 hours written test on the scientific and theoretical basis of psychiatry and this exam covers all topics already stated above. On this paper, the percent marks on 150 marks exam would be-
1- Human development- 16.67%/25
2- Behavioural science and social-cultural psychiatry- 16.67%/25
3- Classification and assessment in psychiatry- 16.67%/25
4- Clinical psychopharmacology- 25.00%/37or38
5- Basic neurosciences- 25.00%/37or38
Paper-B
It’s also 3 hours examination with 150 questions of 150 marks. It covers all topics stated above. On this part, the percent marks would be-
1- Old age- 9.00%/14
2- Organization and delivery- 5.50%/8
3- General adult- 20.00%/30
4- Critical review- 33.5%/50
5- Psychotherapy- 5.50%/8
6- Forensic- 5.50%/8
7- Child & adolescent-9.00%/14
8- Substance misuse-6.50%/10
9- Learning disability-5.50%/8
You can now prepare for this exam. You can stay updated with MRCPsych exam datesby regularly browsing over the internet so you as fast as possible can apply without missing the test.