Pastest vs MRCPsych Mentor: Which is the best MRCPsych Paper A question bank?

Pastest and MRCPsych Mentor both offer an MRCPsych Paper A question bank covering the exam's multiple-choice and extended matching formats. Purely on a feature list, the two can look much the same. But the differences are in what happens after you get a question wrong, how you rehearse a three-hour paper before the real one, and how much you pay for access.

There's also a timing question. The Royal College of Psychiatrists has revised the Paper A syllabus for 2027, so it's worth checking which version a question bank covers before you subscribe.

Pastest vs MRCPsych Mentor: Feature comparison

How many MRCPsych Paper A questions do you get?

MRCPsych Mentor has the advantage on volume. Its Paper A course advertises more than 2,000 questions, including material based on previous examinations. Pastest's bank contains 1,500 expert-written questions based on past-exam themes and mapped to the Paper A syllabus.

But the number of questions won't establish whether either bank covers your weaker topics thoroughly. A useful test is to compare the questions and explanations in a subject you find difficult, such as clinical psychopharmacology or basic neurosciences, rather than judging by the total alone.

Which resource helps you learn from wrong answers?

The quality of an explanation becomes more apparent when you get an unfamiliar question wrong. You might recognise the correct answer to a psychopharmacology question once it's shown, for example, but still be unable to explain why the other four options are incorrect. Without that understanding, a similar question with a different stem could catch you out again.

• Pastest provides detailed answer explanations and a comprehensive textbook covering the relevant Paper A concepts. The platform also includes Tutor Mode, which you can use to ask for clarification or explore a point you haven't understood. Integrated 3D anatomy images give you another way to revise structures and relationships in neuroscience, where a diagram may be more useful than another paragraph of notes.

• MRCPsych Mentor includes revision notes beneath its questions. You can flag questions for another attempt and add your own notes, which is useful if you like building a personalised record of mistakes as you go. The platform is centred on repeated question practice and reviewing your answers rather than a separate comprehensive textbook.

If you're returning to neuroscience, genetics or behavioural science after several years away from those subjects, the accompanying Pastest textbook may reduce how often you need to consult a second resource. If you already have trusted notes and mainly want questions to test what you've learned, MRCPsych Mentor's approach may suit you.

Which is better for timed Paper A practice?

MRCPsych Paper A has 150 questions over three hours, comprising approximately two-thirds multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and one-third extended matching items (EMIs). So, it's worth practising both formats and checking your pace across long question sets. The Pastest complete guide to MRCPsych Paper A covers the examination format and syllabus in more detail.

MRCPsych Mentor offers two mock exams structured around the College's distribution of questions by category. It also lets you generate customisable timed tests as often as you like. Which is an appealing combination if you want to rehearse working under time pressure and compare your scores across repeated sessions.

Pastest includes past-paper practice based on themes from previous exams, alongside its MRCPsych Paper A question bank and performance tracking. These papers can help you check how well you apply what you've revised across different topics. The timed question sessions also replicate the pace and structure of MRCPsych Paper A, allowing you to practise managing your time and maintaining concentration under exam conditions.

How do performance tracking and revision tools compare?

Both platforms can help you decide which topics to revisit, although they present feedback differently.

Pastest's performance insights track progress and identify weaker areas. You could use those results to switch from mixed questions to textbook revision on a topic such as classification and assessment, then test yourself on that subject again.

MRCPsych Mentor provides performance analysis and a histogram comparing your scores with those of other candidates using the platform. It also has question-flagging and personal note functions. The comparison can give you another reference point as you revise, but another user's practice score isn't a reliable prediction of your own result.

Your own error patterns are often the more useful measure. If you're repeatedly losing marks on one type of question, return to the underlying concept and check whether your accuracy improves the next time it appears.

Can you try the question banks before subscribing?

Yes. Pastest has a free 48-hour plan that includes full access to the online textbook and 100 questions from its MRCPsych Paper A question bank. You can also take a separate, free readiness check without registering. Simply answer a short set of questions to get a score based on your current knowledge.

MRCPsych Mentor has a free demo of its Paper A course, although it isn’t clear what the question allowance or access period is.

Try a few questions on a topic you find difficult, such as clinical psychopharmacology or basic neurosciences, and read the explanations thoroughly. Do they explain your mistake well enough to help you answer a similar question differently? Pastest's free textbook access is also an opportunity to test how easily you can move between a question and the underlying topic.

How much do Pastest and MRCPsych Mentor cost?

For six months of access, Pastest costs £20.01 less than MRCPsych Mentor. Pastest also has a three-month option for candidates preparing for a nearer sitting and a 12-month option if you'd prefer a longer period of access. MRCPsych Mentor's four-month plan sits between Pastest's shorter plans in duration and price.

Price isn't the whole calculation, particularly if you'd otherwise buy a separate textbook or mock papers. Pastest includes its online textbook and additional learning tools within the subscription, while MRCPsych Mentor's larger bank, two mock exams and customisable timed tests may be a better fit for candidates focused on question volume and exam rehearsal.

Which MRCPsych Paper A question bank should you choose?

Choose Pastest if you want to learn and practise within the same resource. Its 1,500-question bank is accompanied by a textbook, detailed explanations, 3D anatomy, past-paper practice and Tutor Mode. That combination is particularly relevant if you're still rebuilding your knowledge of Paper A's basic sciences and expect to move regularly between questions and reference material.

Choose MRCPsych Mentor if your priority is a larger MRCPsych Paper A question bank and flexible exam rehearsal. More than 2,000 questions, repeated timed tests and two mock exams make it a strong option for candidates who already have a solid grasp of the syllabus and want extensive opportunities to test their recall and exam technique. Its performance comparison and personal notes may also appeal if you like tracking your progress through repeated attempts.

Whichever you choose, remember that a MRCPsych Paper A question bank works best when you use incorrect answers to decide what to revise next, rather than simply trying to complete every question.