CASC Pass Rate, Attempts, Fees and Dates: What Candidates Need to Know

Few CASC questions are searched as often as "what is the CASC pass rate?" and "how many times can I take it?". Unfortunately, a lot of the numbers floating around the internet are years out of date. This article sets out what is reliably known, what is not, and exactly where to check the current figures before you book your exam.

None of the figures below are a substitute for the Royal College of Psychiatrists' own pages. Rules, fees and dates change, so always verify them before making decisions.

Why Pass Rate Figures Are Hard to Pin Down

CASC pass rates are not a single fixed number. They change from one sitting to the next, they differ between groups of candidates and they are reported in different places and formats. Several older numbers circulate online, including figures from the early years of the exam, and they should not be treated as current.

One example is a widely repeated claim that the pass rate fell from almost 60 percent in the first sittings to around 30 percent in a later one. That comes from commentary written many years ago. It tells you the exam has always been demanding, but it does not tell you what to expect today.

What We Do Know About CASC Outcomes

Published commentary and workforce data point to a few consistent patterns:

• •The exam is genuinely demanding. Passing the CASC is a significant challenge for trainees, and a large proportion of candidates need more than one attempt.
• •Outcomes differ between groups. GMC data quoted in published articles has shown a large gap between UK graduates and international medical graduates (IMGs), with IMGs passing at a markedly lower rate in the years reported.
• •The gap is largely about communication stations. Many IMGs say the main challenge is learning UK-style communication, capacity, consent and risk conversations, which are exactly the things you can train with deliberate practice.

For the most recent official figures, use the results pages published by the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

How Many Attempts Do You Get?

The Royal College publishes examination regulations that set out the rules on attempts. Third-party summaries of those regulations say that after a number of failed attempts at a component, you must apply to the Examinations Committee for permission to try again, and that permission is not guaranteed. Withdrawing before the late withdrawal deadline is described as not counting as an attempt.

Because this is a rule that changes and has serious consequences, read the current Examination Regulations on the Royal College website rather than relying on a summary, including this one.

How Much Does the CASC Cost?

The CASC is the most expensive part of the MRCPsych. Recent published estimates put the registration fee at roughly £985 to £1,100 per attempt, and the fee is usually lower for members than for non-members. Fees are updated regularly, so treat any number as an estimate and check the current fee when you apply.

Two practical points:

• •A failed attempt costs about as much as the first sitting, before you count travel, annual leave and the delay to your training.
• •Preparation is cheaper than a resit. Spending money on good practice resources, mock stations and feedback is often cheaper than paying for another attempt.

CASC Dates and Demand

The Royal College runs several CASC diets each year, and it publishes the dates and the application windows on its exams pages. A few things to be aware of:

• •Demand is rising. For the January 2026 CASC the College reported an unprecedented 937 applications and offered all 826 available places, which left some candidates without a place.
• •International sittings may move. The College announced that the international CASC planned for autumn 2026 in Doha would be delivered in Singapore instead, from 8 to 11 December 2026.
• •Apply early. Do not leave your application until the closing date, particularly if you need to book travel and leave.

Validity Period for the MRCPsych Components

The College has extended the validity period for completing all components of the MRCPsych after a pass in the first theory paper from 4.5 years to 6 years. That gives trainees more breathing room, but it does not mean you should delay. Passing the CASC earlier keeps your training on track and avoids the cost of extra attempts.

How to Improve Your Odds

Whatever the headline pass rate, your personal chance of passing depends on how you prepare:

• •Know the marking scheme. You must pass at least 12 stations and meet the total borderline regression score. See our guide to how the CASC is marked.
• •Practise out loud, against the clock, from the start. Our guide to preparation time suggests 2 to 3 months of timed practice on top of knowledge revision.
• •Get honest feedback. Candidates who overrate their own performance relative to examiners are at higher risk of failing.
• •Practise your weakest station types, not your favourites. One weak area can cost you the exam under the 12-station rule.
• •Use realistic simulation. An AI patient simulator, such as the one in CASC Master, lets you practise at any hour with structured examiner-style feedback.

Where to Check Current Figures

• •The Royal College of Psychiatrists exams pages for dates, fees, applications and regulations
• •The College's published exam results and news pages for the latest outcomes and announcements
• •The GMC's published data on examination outcomes by graduate group

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the CASC pass rate?

It varies between sittings and between groups of candidates. Older figures quoted online are out of date, so check the most recent results published by the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

How many times can you take the CASC?

The Royal College sets the rules in its Examination Regulations. Summaries state that after a certain number of failed attempts you need permission to continue, so confirm the current rule on the College website.

How much does the CASC cost?

Published estimates are around £985 to £1,100 per attempt, with differences between members and non-members. Check the current fee when you apply.

Is the CASC harder for international medical graduates?

Published data has shown lower pass rates for IMGs than for UK graduates, which many candidates attribute to unfamiliarity with UK-style communication stations. Targeted practice on those stations helps close the gap.

When is the next CASC?

The Royal College publishes diet dates and application windows on its exams pages. The international sitting planned for autumn 2026 has been moved to Singapore from 8 to 11 December 2026.