MSRA UK – Multi Specialty Recruitment Assessment is an entrance exam for UK as well as International Medical Graduates to get into various specialty training in the United Kingdom. Multi-Specialty Recruitment Assessment (MSRA UK) is a computer-based assessment aimed to evaluate clinical knowledge and professional competencies for post-graduate medical training in the following specialties:
- General Practice
- Core Psychiatry Training
- Clinical Radiology
- Ophthalmology
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology
- Community Sexual and Reproductive Health
- Neurosurgery
- Nuclear Medicine
- ACCS Emergency Medicine
- Anesthetics
- Core Surgery Training
Multi-Specialty Recruitment Assessment (MSRA): Assessment Structure
The assessment structure of MSRA consists of two parts. Both parts of the MSRA are designed to assess those with a foundation level of competence
- Professional Dilemmas (PD) paper
- Clinical Problem Solving (CPS) paper
MSRA: Professional Dilemmas(PD)
The PD paper provides work-based scenarios to applicants aimed to evaluate and demonstrate their clinical judgment about the most appropriate behaviors in that context. It directly relates to the Generic Professional Capabilities framework outlined by the General Medical Council.
The PD paper is a Situational Judgement Test (SJT) and focuses on the applicant’s approach to working as a doctor. It is an assessment of understanding the situation and choosing the most appropriate response to the situation. In other words, It focus of assessment is more on appropriate behaviors while interacting with patients and colleagues and in managing one’s work.
Core Domains to PD paper
Professional Integrity
Coping with Pressure
Empathy and Sensitivity
PD Paper Format
PD Paper consists of 50 scenarios.
- Rank options in order: 25 Scenarios
Part 1 – Ranking: Candidates are expected to evaluate the appropriateness of four or five independent actions, i.e. ‘Rank in order the following actions in response to this situation (1= Most appropriate; 5= Least appropriate)’. These scenarios require the candidate to think and prioritize the appropriateness of the different options presented. For these scenarios, the actions are discrete actions and should not be thought of as chronological.
- Multiple Choice: 25 Scenarios
Part 2 – Multiple Choice: Candidates are required to select three most appropriate actions to take in combination, out of a total of eight plausible actions, i.e. ‘Select the THREE most appropriate actions to take in this situation’. These scenarios require the candidate to think about the appropriateness of each of the options presented. The three most appropriate actions taken together should fully resolve the situation.
Responses to scenarios are usually recommended actions taken to address the situation. Response options will be highly realistic and the ‘best response’ will always be included. For scenarios where the candidate is asked to consider the appropriateness of actions (whether ranking or multiple choice), there will be a mixture of good, acceptable and poor responses to the situation, as judged by SMEs. Completely implausible responses are not included as options.
There is no negative marking, so you should attempt to answer all questions.
MSRA: Clinical Problem Solving (CPS)
Clinical Problem Solving (CPS) is an assessment of the application of clinical knowledge to the clinical decision on the basis of the Foundation Program Curriculum.
CPS assessment is done via a clinical scenario in which the candidate is required to exercise judgment and problem-solving skills to provide the most suitable diagnosis and management of patients to the best of their knowledge and experience. The main focus of this paper is not a test of knowledge but it assesses the application appropriately. Scenarios are based on the foundation level clinical practice.
The CPS paper consists of 97 questions and the duration of the test is 75 minutes. Only 86 items account for the final score, as 11 of the items in each test paper are being tested (‘piloted’) before use.
CPS scenarios cover 12 clinical topics which are highly relevant to medicine and each paper is a perfect balance of 12 clinical scenarios. The following topics are included in the assessment scenarios:
- Cardiovascular
- Dermatology/ENT/Eyes
- Endocrinology/Metabolic
- Gastroenterology/Nutrition
- Infectious/Haematology/Allergy/Genetics
- Musculoskeletal
- Pediatrics
- Pharmacology and Therapeutics
- Psychiatry/Neurology
- Renal/Urology
- Reproductive
- Respiratory
Core Domains of Clinical Problem Solving (CPS)
Clinical Problem Solving (CPS) covers five core competencies
- Investigation
- Diagnosis
- Emergency
- Prescribing
- Management (non-Prescribing)
CPS Paper Format
CPS Paper consists of 86 Clinical Scenarios. Around half of the items are Extended Matching Questions (EMQ) and the other half are Single Best Answers (SBA). EMQs refer to multiple clinical scenarios that are linked to the same set of response options.
Extended Matching Questions (EMQ): Candidates are presented with a list of 7-10 plausible response options and multiple, separate questions linked to this response set. Candidates will need to select the most appropriate or likely answer for each clinical presentation, i.e. “For each patient, please select the most appropriate drug to prescribe“. Each response option can be selected once, more than once, or not at all when responding to the set of cases.
Single Best Answer (SBA): Candidates are asked to select the single most appropriate or likely answer out of 5- 8 plausible responses for one clinical presentation, i.e. “Select the SINGLE most appropriate diagnosis from the list below”.
1 mark is awarded for choosing the correct response. There is no negative marking.
MSRA: Eligibility and Booking the Multi Specialty Recruitment Assessment
Applicants are required to register at Oriel. After successful registration one is required to apply for a relevant vacancy advertised on it. Once the vacancy closes applicants will receive a message asking them to register an account on the Pearson VUE website. After submitting your application, it will be reviewed and if your application is accepted, it will be longlisted through to the next stage (MSRA) at this stage you will receive a message on how to register an account on Pearson VUE and another message on booking for the MSRA Exam
MSRA: Multi Speciality Recruitment Assessment – Test Centre Locations
MSRA Exam is conducted at Pearson VUE test centers within the MSRA Window. Pearson VUE is offering this test at various locations throughout the UK and internationally. You can find your nearest test center here
Also, it is worth noting that the duration of this assessment window is short so an advanced application is always recommended.
How to Work in the United Kingdom as a GP/Physician/Consultant
If you want to work in UK as a Medical Practitioner, various routes are available. The basic and well-known option is the PLAB route but if you are an experienced professional you can opt for other routes also
