Multi-Specialty Recruitment Assessment (MSRA) overview

Taking the MSRA

The Multi-Specialty Recruitment Assessment (MSRA) is a computer-based assessment. It assesses essential competences in the Person Specification through clinical scenarios.

This guidance outlines the requirements for successful completion of the MSRA for recruitment to medical specialty training.

The MSRA is delivered in partnership with Work Psychology Group and Pearson VUE.

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.

 

Specialties

The below specialties/programmes use the MSRA to recruit. If applying to one of these specialties, you are advised to check the relevant specialty guidance as some information may differ depending on the specialty which you are applying to.

 

In addition to the specialties above, there are other specialties that use the MSRA. These are:

  • Anaesthetics CT1
  • Community Sexual and Reproductive Health ST1
  • Neurosurgery ST1/ST2/ST3
  • Ophthalmology ST1

Northern Ireland (NI)

  • NI – Core Surgical Training CT1
  • NI – Clinical Radiology ST1
  • NI – Core Psychiatry Training CT1
  • NI – Emergency Medicine ST1

Scotland

  • BBT (Scotland) ST1

Page last reviewed: 28 July 2025
Next review due: 28 July 2026