Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych)

About the MRCPsych Exams

The MRCPsych examination is based on the curriculum for core psychiatry training.

Paper A and Paper B: each paper has 150 questions made up of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and extended matching items (EMIs)

You can find more information here: Preparing for exams

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Exam Format

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 domains.

Each exam includes approximately:

·       100 MCQs

• 50 EMIs

For guidance on how to prepare for these exams, visit: Preparing for exams

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Practice Exam

To help you prepare, we have a practice exam available on the Pearson VUE platform. You can take it as many times as you like and we strongly encourage using it to get familiar with the system ahead of the real exam: Pearson VUE test content

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Scheduling, Exam Day and ID

Scheduling

Candidates are responsible for scheduling their own exam appointment directly with Pearson within the specified booking window that will be sent to candidates via email from the RCPsych Examinations team. The email will be sent approximately two weeks after the application period has closed.

What if I have reasonable adjustments?

If you have only been granted extra time and/or rest breaks you should book your own exam through the Pearson booking platform.

If you have reasonable adjustments granted such as separate room, snacks, medicine etc. Pearson will schedule your exam within 10 working days of the booking window opening.

If you haven’t had your appointment confirmed within 10 working days, please contact Pearson customer services. You can also contact the College by emailing examinations@rcpsych.ac.uk.

Exam day

On exam day, candidates are expected to arrive at their Test centre approximately 20 minutes before their exam. This is to ensure there is no delay in registration and ID checks.

OnVue (Online) Exams

If you are sitting the exam remotely (at home), Pearson or RCPsych will book your exam for you including any reasonable adjustments you may have been granted.

Candidates are responsible for ensuring their IT systems is up to standard and meets the requirements to be able to take the exam from home. Please refer to this guide: Royal College of Psychiatrists OnVUE online testing information with Pearson VUE

Which ID should I bring?

RCPsych’s ID policy is changing from October 2025, please see below for details:

You will only need to provide one form of valid ID.

Acceptable forms of ID:

• A valid Passport

If you present any of the primary IDs listed below, the ID must have been issued in the country in which you are testing:

• Driving license
• National identification card
• Government-issued identification card with photograph
• UK biometric residence permit
• If you are testing in India a valid PAN card can be accepted. For Aadhaar cards please refer to the Aadhaar acceptable ID policy document: Aadhaar ID Policy for Pearson VUE. Only plastic Aadhaar cards will be accepted, laminated paper IDs are no longer accepted.

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Exam Agreement

Before your exam begins, you will be asked to read and accept the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ terms and conditions:

I confirm I have read and understand the MRCPsych Eligibility Criteria and Regulations and the Candidate Code of Conduct. I confirm that I will not disclose the contents of the Examination to any third parties or any other candidate. I understand that non-compliance with the Code may lead to disqualification from the relevant examination; and that the Examinations Committee will investigate any forms of cheating or misconduct, which could result in being reported to the GMC or equivalent regulatory authority.

 Failure to be aware of the applicable rules does not constitute a ground of appeal.

You can find more information here: A fair exam

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Retake Policy

There isn’t an option to retake the exam. Instead, you’ll need to reapply for the next sitting.

You can find upcoming exam dates and application dates here: Applying for your exam