Master Your Psychiatry CASC Examwith AI-Powered Practice
Rehearse the CASC until it feels routine. Talk to AI patients who push back, stall, and get upset like real actors, then get examiner-style feedback on exactly what would have cost you the station. 214 preset stations, unlimited AI-generated ones, and a 7-minute clock every time.
How CASC Master Helps You Pass
Our AI-powered platform addresses every challenge CASC candidates face — so you walk into the exam confident and prepared.
AI-Powered Role-Play
Converse with realistic AI patients that respond dynamically — just like a real CASC actor. Each session is unique.
Mini Mock
NewRun a full 8-station timed circuit back-to-back, drawn at random from one exam bank — just like exam day. Finish with an overall pass/fail and one consolidated feedback summary.
Practice with a Friend
NewPick a station, choose candidate or actor, and send your study partner an invite link. They get the actor brief and persona, you run the station live, and the AI examiner marks the transcript at the end.
214 Stations + Unlimited AI-Generated
214 preset stations plus an endless supply of AI-generated ones — covering history taking, MSE, risk assessment, capacity, communication, and more.
Structured Feedback
Get detailed examiner-style feedback after every session — strengths, improvements, and model answers.
Exam-Style Timing
Practice with a 7-minute timer to build the pacing instincts you need for the real exam.
Realistic Patient Simulations
AI patients with rich backstories, emotional states, and hidden concerns — revealed only if you probe.
Progress Tracking
Review your session history, track improvements over time, and identify areas that need more practice.
What is the CASC Exam?
Everything you need to know about the Clinical Assessment of Skills and Competencies — the final clinical exam for the MRCPsych qualification.
Exam Overview
The CASC (Clinical Assessment of Skills and Competencies) is the final clinical examination for the MRCPsych qualification, administered by the Royal College of Psychiatrists. It assesses a candidate's ability to conduct psychiatric assessments, communicate effectively, and make safe clinical decisions in realistic simulated scenarios.
The exam is an OSCE-style assessment consisting of 16 stations arranged in two circuits of 8 stations. Each station lasts 7 minuteswith 90 seconds of reading time. Candidates interact with trained actors playing the role of patients, relatives, or colleagues.
Station Types
- History Taking
- Mental State Examination
- Risk Assessment
- Capacity Assessment
- Breaking Bad News
- Communication Skills
- Family / Carer Meetings
- Psychoeducation
CASC Exam Diet Schedule 2026 – 2027
Upcoming exam sittings as published by the Royal College of Psychiatrists — plan your preparation timeline accordingly. Applications close at 3.30pm UK time on the last day of each application period. The autumn 2026 Doha diet has been relocated to Singapore; Doha 2027 dates are yet to be confirmed.
| Diet | Examination Dates | Application Period | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diet 2 (UK) | 15 – 18 & 21 – 23 September 2026 | 15 Jun – 26 Jun 2026 | 23 October 2026 |
| Singapore (replaces Doha 2026) | 8 – 11 December 2026 | 3 Aug – 14 Aug 2026 | TBC |
| Diet 1 (UK) | 19 – 27 January 2027 | 26 Oct – 6 Nov 2026 | 4 March 2027 |
| Singapore | 1 – 4 June 2027 | 22 Feb – 5 Mar 2027 | 2 July 2027 |
| Diet 2 (UK) | 14 – 22 September 2027 | 14 Jun – 28 Jun 2027 | 22 October 2027 |
| Doha 2027 | TBC | TBC | TBC |
Marking Criteria
Each station is independently marked by a trained examiner using a structured mark scheme. Examiners assess across several domains:
Common Challenges CASC Candidates Face
Understanding these obstacles is the first step to overcoming them.
Performance Anxiety
OSCE-style exams create intense pressure. Many candidates know the material but freeze under observation.
Time Pressure
7 minutes per station means every second counts. Poor time management is one of the top reasons for failing.
Lack of Structured Feedback
Practising with peers helps, but without examiner-level structured feedback, it's hard to identify blind spots.
Unrealistic Practice
Friends role-playing patients can't replicate the unpredictability and emotional complexity of real CASC actors.
CASC Resources & Articles
Free, in-depth guides to help you prepare for every aspect of the CASC exam.
Mastering History Taking in the CASC Exam: A Complete Guide
Learn the structured approach to psychiatric history taking that examiners look for in the MRCPsych CASC. Covers opening, HPC, risk, and closing frameworks.
CASC Risk Assessment: How to Score Full Marks Every Time
A comprehensive guide to conducting risk assessments in the CASC exam, covering suicide risk, violence risk, and self-neglect frameworks.
The Complete MSE Guide for CASC: What Examiners Really Look For
Master the Mental State Examination for your CASC exam. Learn what to observe, what to document, and how to present your findings clearly.
Breaking Bad News in CASC: The SPIKES Framework and Beyond
Learn how to deliver difficult news in CASC stations using the SPIKES protocol. Includes common scenarios and examiner expectations.
CASC Exam Day: A Complete Strategy Guide for First-Time Candidates
Everything you need to know about CASC exam day — from time management to circuit navigation. Maximise your chances of passing on the first attempt.
CASC Exam 2026: Latest Format, Fees, and Key Dates
Stay up to date with the latest changes to the MRCPsych CASC exam for 2026. Covers format updates, exam dates, fees, and registration information.
What Our Free Guides Look Like
Every article is structured for maximum learning with clear headings, key takeaways, and direct links to practice.
Mastering History Taking in the CASC Exam
12 min read • Updated January 2026
Table of Contents
- 1.Why History Taking Matters in CASC
- 2.The Structured Approach Examiners Expect
- 3.Opening the Consultation
- 4.The Funnel Technique: Open to Closed
- 5.History of Presenting Complaint
- 6.Screening Questions by Diagnosis
- 7.Past Psychiatric & Medical History
- 8.Risk Assessment Integration
- 9.Background and Social History
- 10.Closing the Station Effectively
- 11.Handling Difficult Scenarios
- 12.Collateral History Stations
- 13.Common Mistakes to Avoid
- 14.Practice Checklist
Why History Taking Matters in CASC
History taking is the single most tested skill in the MRCPsych CASC examination. Approximately 30-40% of stations require some form of psychiatric history taking, making it the most important competency to master...
Key Takeaways
- Always start with an open question and allow the patient to talk for 30-60 seconds before narrowing your focus
- Use the bio-psycho-social model to structure your exploration — examiners explicitly mark for this
- Integrate risk screening naturally into the conversation using transitional phrases
- Leave 1-2 minutes to summarise and check understanding — a strong close rescues a mediocre station
- Master the funnel technique: move from open questions to focused probing to closed confirmatory questions
- Know your core screening questions for depression, psychosis, mania, anxiety, and OCD by heart
- Practice with timed simulations to build confidence under pressure — 7 minutes passes faster than you think
Trusted by MRCPsych Trainees
Hear from candidates who used CASC Master to prepare for their exam.
"I passed CASC on my first attempt after using this app for 3 months. The AI feedback was incredibly detailed and highlighted blind spots I didn't know I had."
"The realistic patient simulations were a game-changer. Practicing with the timer helped me manage my time much better in the actual exam."
"After failing CASC once, I found this app and practiced every station type. The structured feedback helped me understand exactly what examiners expect. Passed second time!"
CASC Exam FAQ
Your CASC Pass Starts Here
Stop reading. Start practicing. Every hour of simulated practice is worth ten hours of passive revision.
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