MrcPsych Part 1

The breakdown of the clinical topics for the Part 1 exam is available on the Rcpsych website . Please click the following link.
http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/exams/about/mrcpsychpaper1.aspx.

It is quite important to understand that passing exams is a trick in Psychiatry as in all other specialties but there is usually a slightly increased availability of ambiguity to choose from which can make it more tricky. I do understand that the exam has changed to a certain extent from when I did the Part 1exam in 2004 but going by wisdom that the basics would not have undergone a huge transformation, I have decided to do my bit to help people sail through this exam.

There are different ways people go about this exam suiting their personal style, availability of time and various other factors. It will not be unfamiliar to all of you if I say that '' few people passed with little effort '' and '' some people failed after studying for months on end'' .

I am sure you would have heard the above mentioned quotes . The reason for the quotes was to tell you that there is no absolute time limit but a safe period would be to start atleast 3 months before the exam with intensive revision one month before the exam.

I am sure most of you would have visited many websites which give you a reading list but I feel that a thorough knowledge of ICD is essential especially on depression, psychotic disorders and the other important illnesses. It can be vital to know the time duration and other important factors.

SIMS is a useful book to understand psychopathology. It can come to rescue in exams as well as clinical situations .

One other important area is MCQs and EMIs . Practicing them will be vital and I often found that referencing at the same time as working out an MCQ will make it easier to remember that particular MCQ.

I am in the process of collecting previous questions and I will start posting as I start collecting a huge bank of questions. Feel free to comment on the site.