GP Multi-Specialty Recruitment Assessment (MSRA)

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. 

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 will have the option to resit regardless  of whether they were successful or unsuccessful in their previous attempt.  A decision on whether or not to resit the MSRA must be made at the point of reapplication by opting in or out of transferring an earlier successful recruitment score.  The decision cannot be amended after application submission.

Should you wish to transfer your MSRA score, please answer 'Yes' when reapplying.

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.

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) 2024 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	6%	1	Very poor level of performance
171-185	6%	1	Very poor level of performance
186-210	14%	2	Below average performance
211-230	16%	2	Below average performance
231-250	19%	3	Good level of performance
251-270	18%	3	Good level of performance
271-290	14%	3	Good level of performance
291-310	6%	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	6%	1	Very poor level of performance
171-185	8%	1	Very poor level of performance
186-210	26%	2	Below average performance
211-230	25%	2	Below average performance
231-250	18%	3	Good level of performance
251-270	9%	3	Good level of performance
271-290	5%	3	Good level of performance
291-310	2%	4	Very good level of performance
Above 310	1%	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.

• Multi-Specialty Recruitment Assessment (MSRA)

  A computer-based assessment that is required for various specialties.

• Overview of General Practice Specialty Training (GPST)

  Successfully complete GPST to become an independent GP in the UK