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 Mental State Examination (MSE)

The MSE is the psychiatric equivalent of the physical examination. It's assessed in every CASC station — learn to observe, interpret, and document like an expert.

Overview

The Mental State Examination (MSE) is a systematic assessment of a patient's psychological functioning at a specific point in time. In the CASC, MSE skills are assessed both explicitly (dedicated MSE stations) and implicitly (your observations throughout any station). Examiners look for candidates who can notice, document, and interpret mental state findings using precise psychiatric terminology.

Key Skills Assessed

Systematic observation across all MSE domains
Using precise psychiatric terminology
Differentiating objective (affect) from subjective (mood) findings
Integrating MSE into clinical formulation
Identifying and describing thought disorder
Assessing insight and its implications for management

Recommended Framework

1. Appearance & Behaviour

Grooming, clothing, psychomotor activity, eye contact, rapport, unusual movements

2. Speech

Rate, rhythm, volume, tone, spontaneity, latency

3. Mood & Affect

Subjective mood (patient's words), objective affect (range, reactivity, congruence)

4. Thought

Form (linear, tangential, etc.), content (delusions, obsessions), possession (insertion, withdrawal)

5. Perception

Hallucinations across all modalities, illusions, depersonalisation, derealisation

6. Cognition

Orientation, attention, memory; use formal tools if indicated (MMSE, ACE-III)

7. Insight & Judgement

Awareness of illness, understanding of treatment need, capacity for informed decisions

Example Exam Scenarios

Perform a focused MSE on a patient with suspected first-episode psychosis
Assess the mental state of a patient presenting with acute mania
Conduct an MSE on a patient with catatonic features
Assess a patient\

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Confusing mood (subjective) with affect (objective)
Using vague descriptions instead of psychiatric terminology
Forgetting to assess insight — frequently missed by candidates
Not documenting cognitive findings when relevant
Describing interpretations rather than observations

Examiner Tips

Your MSE should be an ongoing observation — not a separate task at the end
Always quote the patient\
terrible\
,
,

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