GP Multi-Specialty Recruitment Assessment (MSRA)

GP Specialty Training recruitment

The Multi-Specialty Recruitment Assessment (MSRA) is a computer-based assessment. This page covers the GP specific information relating to the assessment, and guides to the global MSRA overview.

The MSRA is a computer-based assessment which has been shown to be a strong predictor of performance in GP examinations.

Taking the MSRA

If eligible, you will be invited to take the MSRA. 

Important: Important

Important message: Two sittings planned for Multi-Specialty Recruitment Assessment (MSRA) for 2026 recruitment 

As there is an anticipated rise in the number of applications to medical speciality training recruitment Round 1 for 2026 which opens on 23 October 2025, we will deliver the MSRA split across two windows: one in January and one in February.

There will be two sittings of the MSRA next year for R1:
  •  January 2026: Open to applicants for all specialties.
  •  February 2026: Reserved for applicants who apply to Core Psychiatry and/or General Practice only.

Please note:  If the number of applicants applying to Core Psychiatry and/or General Practice exceeds the capacity available for the February sitting, then some applicants will be required to sit the MSRA in the January sitting.  Allocated sittings will be confirmed as soon as possible, after the application closing deadline. 

Allocated testing windows cannot be changed, even if applicants choose to withdraw applications to try and make themselves eligible for the later testing window.

 

Information:

For detailed information about the MSRA process and content, go to the Taking the MSRA hub. 

Scoring scale

The MSRA scores awarded for GP applicants in each paper are normalised around a mean score of 250 with a standard deviation of 40. In addition, the scores for each paper are banded 1 to 4 where 1 indicates that the minimum acceptable standard has not been achieved. Applicants who achieve a band of 1 in either paper will be deemed unsuccessful and will not progress further with their application.

Resitting

Applicants who have previously sat the MSRA may have the option to resit, however this is dependent on the number of applications received in the round.

Applicants must declare at the point of reapplication if they wish to be considered for a resit by opting in or out of transferring an earlier successful recruitment score.  This decision cannot be amended after application submission. Should you wish to transfer your MSRA score, please answer 'Yes' when reapplying so this can be taken into consideration. 

What's in the MSRA?

There are two parts to the MSRA; both are designed to assess some of the essential competences outlined in the national person specification and are based around clinical scenarios.

Information:

For detailed information about the contents of the MSRA, go to the What's in the MSRA hub.

Revision

The GP National Recruitment Office (GPNRO) understands that you may wish to revise and prepare for the MSRA with each other in small groups. However, sharing information about the actual assessments is unacceptable and is viewed as unprofessional behaviour.

The MSRA uses many different equated assessment forms and therefore knowledge of questions in one paper will not necessarily benefit others. We would also remind all applicants that entry to GP specialty training is competitive.

GP specialty training 1 (ST1) 2025 round 3 scoring

The following tables show how your scores on the clinical problem solving test and professional dilemmas test compare with other GP candidates who took the test.

Clinical problem solving test scores meaning
Standardised score range Approx percentage scoring in this range Score Band Score Meaning
Below 170 4% 1 Very poor level of performance
171-185 4% 1 Very poor level of performance
186-210 11% 2 Below average performance
211-230 14% 2 Below average performance
231-250 17% 3 Good level of performance
251-270 22% 3 Good level of performance
271-290 19% 3 Good level of performance
291-310 8% 4 Very good level of performance
Above 310 1% 4 Very good level of performance
Professional dilemmas test scores meaning
Standardised score range Approx percentage scoring in this range Score Band Score Meaning
Below 170 8% 1 Very poor level of performance
171-185 9% 1 Very poor level of performance
186-210 26% 2 Below average performance
211-230 27% 2 Below average performance
231-250 18% 3 Good level of performance
251-270 8% 3 Good level of performance
271-290 3% 3 Good level of performance
291-310 1% 4 Very good level of performance
Above 310 0% 4 Very good level of performance

Maximum achievable score

Due to the normalisation of all MSRA scores, there is no maximum achievable score. For a given cohort of applicants, normalisation is dependent on the average performance of the cohort. It is therefore not considered meaningful to interpret the scores achieved in the MSRA with a maximum value.

Appealing the outcome

All applicants will receive feedback when they are notified of their outcome. The outcome is final and cannot be reviewed, re-marked or disputed. There is no appeals process.

Complaints procedure

All national recruitment offices use a nationally agreed process for handling complaints about recruitment. If you feel your application has not been managed correctly and have evidence of a failure in the process, you should explore this route. For further information, visit the complaints policy and procedure page.

For further information, visit the complaints policy and procedure page.

Page last reviewed: 25 September 2023

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