MSRA

🎯 MSRA – Multi-Specialty Recruitment Assessment

Your guide to the postgraduate medical recruitment exam

📍 Required for GP, Psychiatry, Radiology, and more

🧠 What is the MSRA?

The Multi‑Specialty Recruitment Assessment (MSRA) is a computer‑based test used in national specialty training recruitment. It is designed to evaluate whether you meet the core competences required in your chosen specialty’s person specification—using clinical scenarios that reflect real-world practice.

Specialties requiring MSRA include:

  • Acute Care Common Stem (ACCS) Emergency Medicine (CT/ST1)
  • Anaesthetics (CT1)
  • Clinical Radiology (ST1)
  • Community Sexual and Reproductive Health (ST1)
  • Core Psychiatry (CT1)
  • Core Surgical Training (CT1)
  • General Practice (ST1)
  • Neurosurgery (ST1/ST2/ST3)
  • Nuclear Medicine (ST3)
  • Obstetrics and Gynaecology (ST1)
  • Ophthalmology (ST1)

In addition to the above, in Scotland Broad Based Training (ST1) also utilises the MSRA.

🧪 Exam Format

Exam format icon

The MSRA is split into two parts:

1. Professional Dilemmas (PD)

  • 95 minutes
  • 50 questions
  • Situational judgement, ethics, professionalism
  • Tests your judgement in clinical situations

2. Clinical Problem Solving (CPS)

  • 75 minutes
  • 86 questions
  • Clinical reasoning across core specialties
  • Includes cardiology, neurology, GI, etc.

Question types: Single Best Answer (SBA), Extended Matching Questions (EMQ)

📈 Scoring & Results

Scoring icon
  • Papers are scored and scaled independently
  • Total score = PD + CPS
  • No pass/fail; used for ranking
  • Some applicants are directly offered posts based on high scores
  • Results are released after the MSRA testing window has closed.

📅 Key Dates

Cycle Exam Month Outcome
Round 1 January Autumn training start

In previous years, there has been the need for additional capacity and additional exam sittings have been offered in February of the application cycle.

Book via: Pearson VUE after Oriel invitation

🧾 Booking & Sitting the Exam

  • Held at Pearson VUE centres in the UK & abroad
  • Computer-based format
  • Book through Oriel invitation link
  • The exam is free to take
  • Bring photo ID on the day

⚠️ Note: Missing the MSRA = automatic withdrawal from recruitment

✅ Summary

The MSRA is a key part of specialty recruitment. A strong score can fast-track you to interview or even job offers directly (depending on specialty). Know the format, prepare wisely, and give yourself the best chance of success.

🛠 How to Prepare

  • Give yourself plenty of time to prepare, at least 2-3 months
  • Practice under timed conditions
  • Review high-yield clinical topics
  • Do as many practice questions as possible
  • Read the GMC Good Medical Practice guidelines

📚 Useful Links