Information on the MSRA for ST1 Clinical Radiology applicants
MSRA stands for the Multi-Specialty Recruitment Assessment. Sometimes it is simply refered to as the Specialty Recruitment Assessment (SRA). It is a computer-based exam designed to assess essential competencies and has been part of the ST1 clinical radiology application process since 2016. There are two parts to the MSRA; a Professional Dilemmas (PD) paper, followed by a Clinical Problem Solving (CPS) paper.
In line with a number of other specialties a Multi-Specialty Recruitment Assessment (MSRA) test was incorporated into radiology recruitment in 2016. All applicants are required to sit the MSRA at a test centre in the January of the recruitment year. Applicants are ranked according to their MSRA score and invitations to interview are circulated on the basis of rank until all available 600 interview slots are filled.
The MSRA is the most important component of the selection process for the following reasons:
- Candidates need to achieve a score high enough to be offered one of the limited number of interview slots as the ranking for interview slots is directly based on your MSRA score. If you do not perform well in the MSRA, you will not be offered an interview. There is also a cut off score below which applications applicants will not be invited to interview.
- Once you are through to the interview stage, your MSRA score is then weighted to contribute to your final selection centre score along with your interview performance and validated self-assessment score (from your portfolio).
So take this test seriously! The assessment has been fully researched and evaluated, having shown to have a high predictive validity.
Is the MSRA the same as the Specialty Recruitment Assessment (SRA)?
Yes – they are the same thing!
The SRA was originally designed for applicants to general practice (GP) training, hence why the questions are very broad in scope. Subsequently, many other specialties have started using this test (including Radiology), hence why it is also referred to as the “Multi-Specialty Recruitment Assessment” or “MSRA”.
When is the MSRA held?
Late January / early February.
What is the format of the MSRA?
It is identical to the GP, Psychiatry, Ophthalmology and Neurosurgery recruitment assessment. It’s a timed computer-based assessment that can be done in any of the nearest local Pearson VUE centres. On completion of the Professional Dilemmas paper, there will be an optional 5-minute scheduled break before the Clinial Problem Solving paper commences.
Invitations for the MSRA are sent out in early December to applicants that submit complete applications and meet basic eligibility criteria. Here is more information about the two parts of the MSRA:
Part 1: Professional Dilemmas (PD) - 95 mins
Key points:
- Situational Judgement Test (SJT)
- 50 questions in 95 minutes
- Professional integrity
- Coping with pressure
- Empathy and sensitivity
- empathy and sensitivity
- communication skills
- conceptual thinking and problem solving
- coping with pressure
- organization and planning
- managing others and team involvement
- professional integrity
- personal and professional development
Part 2: Clinical Problem Solving (PD) - 75 mins
Key points:
- MCQs and EMQs
- 97 questions in 75 minutes
Sample questions
To fully understand the format of the exam, we strongly advise you to read the following:
MSRA Test Blueprint Information
- Explanation of the exam structure and marking with some example questions.
MSRA Applicant Guide – Sample Questions
- A selection of sample questions for the Multi-Specialty Recruitment Assessment.
Please note that although the documents above are written for GP applicants, they are still relevent as clinical radiology applicants also take the same test!
Useful hints and tips
Prioritising the MSRA is important
- If you excel at the MSRA you may get a training post offer without even attending interview, and if you are interviewed, the MSRA makes up a significant proportion of your final selection score. Many top candidates that work hard could achieve full marks at the radiology ST1 interview, therefore the only difference between these top candidates will be their MSRA score, which may mean the difference between getting their 1st or 2nd or 3rd choice placement etc.
Leave enought time to revise
- Given the importance of this exam, preparation is essential. Many candidates will start revising roughly 2 months before (e.g. from late-October). It is important you have enough time to do lots of practice questions and increase your knowledge.
Be strategic with your revision time and target your weak areas
- If you’ve undertaken placements in certain areas, maybe concentrate your revision on other areas you are less familiar with (e.g. if you did cardiology, general surgery and psychiatry, but not orthopaedics, we suggest you should make time to revise and refresh your knowledge of orthopaedic medicine).
Papers are NOT negatively marked so make sure you answer all the questions
- It is important to note that the marking convention for ranking questions in the Professional Dilemmas (PD) paper means that even if got the ranking completely out of order, you would score a minimum of 8 marks for that question. Skipping or missing an item, however, results in a score of 0 marks for that question! The point we’re trying to make is that you should aim to answer all questions, even if you are not sure of the correct answer to some.
Read the instructions and questions carefully
- There may be times when you would like more information to answer questions. Just give your best answer given the information provided.
There are sometimes no absolute right or wrong answers
- For the SJT it is important to bear in mind that often there are no absolute right or wrong answers, and that answers provided for the ranking items in particular are marked against a predetermined key, based on a near-miss approach. Your performance on the test as a whole will be used to determine your level of situational judgement, rather than your performance on individual test questions.
Read the example questions carefully
- If you feel you would benefit from revisiting some areas of knowledge or practice in order to be better able to show your capability, then you should do this before the assessment. A glossary of terms and medical abbreviations which are not in universal use or may be misunderstood by some candidates will be provided.
Are there any useful resources to help me prepare?
Books
Oxford Assess and Progress: Situational Judgement Test (2nd Edition)
David Metcalfe, Harveer Dev
Practice situational judgement type questions.
Situational Judgement Test for the Foundation Years Programme
Omar Taha, Mizanul Hoque, Belinda Kessel
Practice situational judgement type questions and explanations.
Practice questions
- ARORA Medical Education
Use this coupon code: AroraRadcafe10 for 10% off their packages and MSRA audiobooks.
Paid - MCQBank
Paid - Passmedicine
Paid - Pastest
Paid - eMedica Online Revision
Paid - OnExamination
Paid
Useful links
- GMC – Good Medical Practice
Having a good knowledge of this will help you with the Professional Dilemmas (PD) paper - GPNRO – MSRA Guidance for Applicants
- Situational Judgement Test (SJT) practice paper
Free practice papers designed to help you prepare for the Foundation Programme Situational Judgement Test (SJT) by familiarising yourself with the test format. - Pearson VUE testing tutorial and practice exam
Download a free example of the computer exam software from the Pearson VUE website so you can get a feel for the exam software before you actualy take it.
