A time-sensitive guide to 2026 examination diets, application windows, fees and essential eligibility checks.
MRCPsych Paper A dates in 2026
| Diet | Exam date | Application period | Results date |
| 1 | 9 April 2026 | 5-15 January 2026 | 15 May 2026 |
| 2 | 9 July 2026 | 5-15 May 2026 | 7 August 2026 |
| 3 | 12 November 2026 | 17-27 August 2026 | 11 December 2026 |
MRCPsych Paper B dates in 2026
| Diet | Exam date | Application period | Results date |
| 1 | 12 February 2026 | 1-12 December 2025 | 17 March 2026 |
| 2 | 19 May 2026 | 16-27 March 2026 | 25 June 2026 |
| 3 | 7 October 2026 | 13-24 July 2026 | 6 November 2026 |
MRCPsych CASC dates in 2026
| Diet / location | Exam date | Application period | Results date |
| UK diet 1 | 19-23 January 2026 | 29 October-10 November 2025 | 27 February 2026 |
| Singapore | 2-5 June 2026 | 2-13 March 2026 | 3 July 2026 |
| UK diet 2 | 15-18 and 21-23 September 2026 | 15-26 June 2026 | 23 October 2026 |
| Singapore | 8-11 December 2026 | 3-14 August 2026 | To be confirmed |
Application deadline time
Applications must be submitted by 3:30 pm UK time on the final day of the application period. International candidates should convert the deadline carefully to their local time and avoid submitting in the final hours, when payment, document or technical problems may be difficult to resolve.
Current 2026 examination fees
| Examination | PMPT trainees / affiliates | Other candidates |
| Paper A | £568 | £630 |
| Paper B | £511 | £567 |
| CASC – UK | £1,129 | £1,254 |
| CASC – Singapore or Middle East | £1,465 | £1,628 |
Eligibility overview
Eligibility is not identical for the three components. The summary below is for orientation only; the current regulations should be read before application.
| Component | Current eligibility overview |
| Paper A | Full medical registration after completion of Foundation Year 1 or internship is required. |
| Paper B | Full medical registration and a minimum of 6 months whole-time-equivalent experience in psychiatry are required; 12 months of psychiatry experience is recommended. |
| CASC | Candidates need 23 months whole-time-equivalent post-foundation/internship psychiatry experience, passes in Papers A and B or applicable transitional arrangements, and required sponsorship and competency evidence. |
The six-year validity period
Under the current guidance, once a candidate passes the first written paper – Paper A or Paper B – there is generally a six-year period from publication of that result to complete the remaining MRCPsych components. If the pathway is not completed within the period, the written components may need to be repeated, subject to the current regulations and any approved extension.
This rule makes timing important. Do not apply for a written paper only because a date is available. Consider whether you will have a realistic route to complete the remaining requirements.
Application checklist
1. Confirm that you meet the current eligibility criteria for the exact component.
2. Check the application opening and closing dates and convert the deadline to your local time.
3. Ensure your Royal College account and contact details are correct.
4. Prepare any required training, sponsorship or portfolio evidence before the window opens.
5. Check the current fee and payment-card availability.
6. Complete the application early enough to address technical problems.
7. Confirm that both the examination application and payment acknowledgements have arrived.
8. Review exam-delivery, identification and reasonable-adjustment guidance.
Planning preparation around the date
Work backwards from the examination date. Reserve the final two to three weeks for mixed revision, mocks and error correction. Set an earlier internal readiness deadline before the official application closes. This prevents paying for an examination when foundational preparation is still incomplete.
For CASC, account for eligibility evidence, place availability, travel or location arrangements and the need for repeated live practice. The clinical exam requires a longer logistical lead time than simply revising station notes.
2027 syllabus change
The updated Paper A and Paper B syllabi are scheduled for publication in September 2026 and implementation from January 2027. Candidates targeting a 2027 diet should not assume that every current topic or weighting will remain unchanged. Medfortune and the website development team should update Paper A, Paper B and study-plan pages once the new syllabus is available.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the next Paper A exam after July 2026?
The currently published 2026 schedule lists Paper A on 12 November 2026, with an application period from 17 to 27 August 2026.
What is the next Paper B exam after May 2026?
The published schedule lists Paper B on 7 October 2026, with applications from 13 to 24 July 2026.
Can dates change after publication?
Yes. The Royal College states that dates are subject to change and advises candidates to check the official page regularly.
Are 2027 dates available?
The source information checked on 17 July 2026 did not provide a complete 2027 examination timetable. The article should be updated when official dates are released.
Is paying the fee enough to confirm an application?
Candidates should check that they receive both the examination application acknowledgement and the payment confirmation, and contact the examinations team if confirmations do not arrive as expected.
Sources and verification links
- Royal College of Psychiatrists – Applying for your exam
- Royal College of Psychiatrists – Can I take an exam?
- Royal College of Psychiatrists – Preparing for exams
| Recommended conversion block Selected your target examination? Begin a syllabus-mapped preparation plan early and explore Medfortune Academy’s Paper A, Paper B or CASC support. |