Revision MCQs and EMIs for the MRCPsych: Practice questions and mock exams for the written papers PDF

Preface

This book consists of over 1500 questions and answers.

The first part of the book acts as a study guide and is divided into different subject areas of psychiatric knowledge. It consists of ‘best of five' multiple choice questions (MCQs) and extended matching item questions (EMIs) in a ratio of approximately two to one. When readers have studied a particular area of psychiatric knowledge, they can test themselves on their understanding by trying to answer the questions set on that topic. The standard of the questions has in general been set to at least that of the Royal College of Psychiatrists' MRCPsych examinations. Those preparing for other examinations might also find this book of value. However, this particular part of the book is designed to be more than mere preparation for the MRCPsych examination and is aimed at generally developing the knowledge that a practising psychiatrist requires. These questions are designed to test for an understanding of the material, rather than for pure rote learning of the answers and eidetic recall. We recommend that readers make the effort to answer the questions on a given topic before turning to the answers. This, together with developing understanding further by studying relevant content of a psychiatric textbook, will make for a far more valuable study experience. To aid this study process, the answers are sometimes fairly detailed in this section of the book and extensive cross reference is made to our textbook Psychiatry: An Evidence-Based Text upon which most of the questions and answers in this part of the book are based.

The second section of the book consists of 600 questions and answers set out as three revision mock examinations. They correspond to Papers 1, 2 and 3 of the MRCPsych, according to the Royal College of Psychiatrists' examinations regulations in force in 2011. The questions (a mixture of MCQs and EMIs) have been set to reflect the type and standard of questions of the MRCPsych examinations at the time of writing. As these are revision papers, the answers given are, in general, less detailed than those supplied in the first part of this book. Readers who are preparing for the MRCPsych examinations are urged always to keep themselves up to date with the latest regulations and guidance issued by the Royal College, which have significantly changed in recent years.

We would welcome feedback from those using this book as a study aid or revision guide. Please do let us know if there are any further types of questions you would like to see in the next edition of this book.

We wish to thank again all the authors who contributed to our textbook Psychiatry: An Evidence-Based Text.