Postgraduate edition  ·  For GP & Psychiatry trainees
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Paper A — the basic sciences paper.

For Psychiatry trainees: 150 questions in three hours, roughly 100 SBAs and 50 EMIs. Half the marks live in neurosciences and psychopharmacology, so depth there is decisive. Every module is taught then tested, mapped to the RCPsych blueprint.

MRCPsych Paper A · RCPsych
150Questions
3hDuration
~55–60%Pass Mark

Examination Structure

ComponentDetailsStrategy
Total Questions150 (~100 SBAs + ~50 EMIs)Read every stem carefully
Duration3 hours~1 min 12 sec per question
Basic Neurosciences25% (~37–38 questions)Neuroanatomy, physiology, neurochemistry
Psychopharmacology25% (~37–38 questions)Mechanisms, interactions, monitoring
Psychology16.67% (~25 questions)Learning, cognition, social psychology
Human Development16.67% (~25 questions)Lifespan, attachment, milestones
Classification & Assessment16.67% (~25 questions)ICD-11/DSM-5, rating scales, psychometrics

Question Bank — free to browse

Members-only SBAs mapped to every syllabus code, with Complete Doctor Academy worked answers — the one-line rule, why each distractor is wrong, a memory hook and a reference. The Neuroscience modules are open to browse, and the first questions of every section are free. Subscribe to unlock the full bank.

Paper A · Question Bank Basic Neurosciences (3.1–3.10) & beyond 3.1 & 3.2 live · generous free preview · confidence tracking · syllabus-code mapping Browse Neurosciences → Open question bank →

Official Syllabus Domains

Paper A assesses the sciences basic to psychiatry, across five domains. Our question bank is mapped to this blueprint.

DomainWeightingCore content
Behavioural science & sociocultural psychiatry16.7%Learning, perception, memory, personality, social psychology
Human development16.7%Piaget, Erikson, Bowlby, Kohlberg; lifespan & attachment
Basic neurosciences25%Neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, neurochemistry, techniques
Clinical psychopharmacology25%Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, drug classes, monitoring
Classification & assessment16.7%ICD-11/DSM-5, descriptive psychopathology, rating scales, psychometrics

What It Takes to Pass

Master Neurosciences (25%)Neuroanatomy: limbic system, basal ganglia, tracts. Neurotransmitters: DA, 5-HT, NA, GABA, Glu. Receptor subtypes and locations. Blood–brain barrier and CSF.
Master Psychopharmacology (25%)Mechanisms of action for all drug classes. Pharmacokinetics: CYP450 interactions. Monitoring: lithium, clozapine. Side effects and ADRs.
High-Yield EMI TopicsReceptor binding profiles (D2, 5-HT2A, H1). Brain lesion localisation. Developmental theorists (Piaget, Erikson, Bowlby). Rating scales matched to disorders.
Common Fail PointsNeglecting basic sciences for clinical knowledge. Weak neuroanatomy — it is tested heavily. Not knowing receptor profiles cold. Confusing ICD-11 with DSM-5 criteria.

Paper A Examination Dates

Official RCPsych Paper A calendar. Applications must be submitted no later than 3.30pm UK time on the last date of the application period. Always confirm on the RCPsych website before booking.

DietDate of examinationApplication periodPublication of results
109 April 20265 January – 15 January 202615 May 2026
209 July 20265 May – 15 May 20267 August 2026
312 November 202617 August – 27 August 202611 December 2026

Examination Strategy

Priorities

Revision Priorities

  • 50% of marks = neurosciences + psychopharmacology
  • Learn receptor profiles until automatic
  • Know drug interactions (CYP450, QTc)
  • Master developmental theorists with ages/stages
Technique

Question Technique

  • Read the stem carefully — the answer is in the detail
  • EMIs: eliminate impossible options first
  • SBAs: choose the "best" answer, not just a correct one
  • Flag and return — do not get stuck
Timing

Time Management

  • 180 minutes for 150 questions
  • ~1 min 12 sec per question maximum
  • EMIs take longer — budget accordingly
  • Leave 15 minutes to review flagged questions