Is the CASC exam difficult?

The CASC is considered one of the most challenging postgraduate clinical exams in psychiatry. National pass rates vary between 45-65% per diet. However, with structured preparation using AI-powered practice and realistic patient simulations, it is absolutely achievable.

How many stations are in the CASC?

The CASC exam consists of 16 stations divided into two circuits (Circuit A and Circuit B), each containing 8 stations. Each station lasts 7 minutes with 90 seconds of reading time. You need to pass at least 8 stations overall, with no more than 4 fails in any single circuit.

How long should I prepare for the CASC?

Most successful candidates recommend 3-6 months of focused preparation, including theory revision, practical skills practice with simulated stations, and mock exams under timed conditions. Starting with 1-2 AI practice stations per day and building up to full mock circuits is recommended.

Is this app suitable for first attempt candidates?

Absolutely! CASC Master is designed for both first-time candidates and those retaking the exam. The app helps develop structured approaches for each station type and builds confidence through realistic AI-powered practice with examiner-style feedback.

What types of CASC stations does the app cover?

CASC Master covers 50+ station types across all CASC domains, including psychiatric history taking, mental state examination, risk assessment, capacity assessment, breaking bad news, explaining diagnoses and medications, managing angry or distressed patients, motivational interviewing, MDT discussions, legal and ethical scenarios, and more.

How does AI feedback compare to real examiner feedback?

Our AI evaluator assesses your performance using the same criteria as CASC examiners — clinical skills, communication, risk awareness, and clinical judgement. The feedback provides structured, consistent, and detailed assessment that many candidates find more useful than peer feedback alone.

CASC History Taking Stations

History taking accounts for 30-40% of CASC stations. Master the structured approach that examiners expect and build the confidence to ace these stations.

Overview

Psychiatric history taking is the foundation of clinical psychiatry and the most frequently tested competency in the CASC exam. Stations may focus on general psychiatric history, specific symptom exploration, or targeted assessments for conditions like depression, psychosis, or eating disorders. You must demonstrate the ability to gather comprehensive clinical information while maintaining rapport, managing time, and integrating risk screening — all within 7 minutes.

Key Skills Assessed

Establishing rapport quickly using open questions
Systematic symptom exploration using validated frameworks
Natural integration of risk assessment
Effective time management within 7 minutes
Summarising and checking understanding
Bio-psycho-social formulation

Recommended Framework

1. Opening (30-60s)

Introduce yourself, clarify purpose, open question to invite patient narrative

2. HPC Exploration (2-3 min)

Detailed exploration of presenting complaint using SOCRATES or symptom-specific frameworks

3. Past History (1 min)

Previous psychiatric episodes, treatments, medical comorbidities, medication, allergies

4. Risk Screening (1-2 min)

Suicide/self-harm, risk to others, self-neglect — integrated naturally into conversation

5. Background (1 min)

Personal history, family psychiatric history, substance use, social circumstances

6. Closing (30-60s)

Summarise findings, check understanding, outline next steps, thank patient

Example Exam Scenarios

A 28-year-old man referred by his GP with low mood and poor sleep for 3 months
A 45-year-old woman brought by family with concerns about hearing voices
A 19-year-old university student with significant weight loss and restricted eating
A 60-year-old man with memory concerns — his wife is worried about dementia

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Jumping to closed questions before allowing the patient to tell their story
Forgetting to screen for risk in non-risk stations
Running out of time and failing to summarise
Using overly medical language with the patient
Not checking the patient\

Examiner Tips

Examiners can tell if you have a structure — make sure your approach is logical but not rigid
Show genuine curiosity about the patient\
,
re running out of time, prioritise risk and a brief summary over covering every detail
Use "signposting" to show the examiner you\
t covered

Simulate This Station Now

Practice with an AI patient and get examiner-style feedback in minutes

Practice Now