MSRA

MSRA Exam: Complete Guide to Format, Scoring & Preparation

The Multi-Specialty Recruitment Assessment (MSRA) is a computer-based exam used as part of recruitment into GP training and several other UK specialty training programmes. It consists of two papers — Professional Dilemmas (a situational judgement test) and Clinical Problem Solving — completed in a single sitting of just under 3 hours at a Pearson VUE test centre. Each specialty sets its own minimum score threshold, and the MSRA score directly affects a candidate's ranking for training posts.

What is the MSRA?

The Multi-Specialty Recruitment Assessment (MSRA) is a computer-based selection exam used by NHS specialty recruitment as part of the application process for GP training (ST1) and several other UK specialty training programmes. It is designed to provide a consistent, standardised way of comparing applicants' professional judgement and clinical problem-solving ability.

Both papers are based on the Foundation Programme curriculum and assess how well a candidate applies clinical knowledge to real decision-making — the MSRA is not a knowledge-recall exam in the way PLAB 1 is; it centres on judgement under realistic scenarios.

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FAQS

MSRA FAQs

Multi-Specialty Recruitment Assessment — a computer-based exam used in recruitment for GP training and several other UK specialty training programmes.

Professional Dilemmas (a 95-minute situational judgement test) and Clinical Problem Solving (a 75-minute clinical knowledge paper), completed in one sitting with a short break between.

No. The MSRA score is used to rank candidates against each other for a limited number of posts, so a pass does not guarantee a place if competition for a specialty is high that year.

At Pearson VUE test centres, on computer, under exam conditions.

No. Each participating specialty sets its own minimum threshold score for each recruitment cycle.