One of The College's most valuable contributions to psychiatric education is the annual Psychiatry Resident-In-Training Examination (PRITE^®). The College designed PRITE^® as an educational resource for psychiatric Residents and training programs. Each section of the exam focuses on a particular component of psychiatry, offering references to support and explain correct answers.

Nearly all psychiatry Residents in the United States and many in Canada, take the exam three to four times during training.throughout their residency.

Residents receive a detailed computer analysis of their test performance in comparison with other residents at a similar level of training.

Training directors receive results for their individual residents as well as statistical summary data comparing their training program with other groups of participants. Residency programs use PRITE^® as one factor, among many, for assessing the competency of residents. This information assists training directors in adjusting their programs to make them more effective.

Created in 1978, the PRITE^® consists of 300 questions and is administered in two parts. The content areas covered in the PRITE^® are:

• Neurology and Neurosciences
• Growth and Development
• Adult Psychopathology
• Emergency Psychiatry
• Behavioral Science and Social Psychiatry
• Psychosocial Therapies
• Somatic Treatment Methods
• Patient Evaluation and Treatment Selection
• Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry
• Child Psychiatry
• Alcoholism and Substance Abuse
• Geriatric Psychiatry
• Forensic Psychiatry             

A related specialty exam, the CHILD PRITE^®, is designed for child Fellows. Its 200 questions survey child and adolescent psychiatry issues in depth.

The content areas covered in the CHILD PRITE^® are:

• Development
• Biological Science
• Epidemiology
• Psychopathology
• Assessment Procedures
• Treatment
• Psychiatric Aspects of Pediatric Disorders
• Issues in Practice
• Consultation other than Pediatrics
• Prevention