Anaesthetics — Core Training (CT1) practice

What happens in the Anaesthetics — Core Training (CT1) interview

In the 2027 recruitment round (posts starting in August 2027), core anaesthetics and ACCS anaesthetics CT1 share one application and one online interview on Qpercom, coordinated nationally by the Anaesthetics National Recruitment Office (ANRO, part of NHS England), for applicants invited on their MSRA score. It has two 15-minute stations, a Clinical Judgement Station with 5 minutes' reading time beforehand and a General Interview Station, and the whole process takes about 50 minutes including ID checks. Two assessors in each station score you independently on three domains and a global rating, for a total out of 100, and you need at least 60 to be appointable.

Checked against the official sources on 27 September 2026.

The parts, in order

Clinical Judgement Station15 minutes

You are given a clinical scenario before you enter the interview room and have 5 minutes to read and digest it, and may take notes. During the 15-minute interview the assessor adds information at various points for you to consider. It assesses Clinical Judgement and Decision Making, Reflective Practice and Working Under Pressure, plus a global rating.

General Interview Station15 minutes

Questions on your training to date and commitment to the specialty, your experience of working in and leading teams, and your wider knowledge of the NHS and its influence on anaesthesia. It assesses Communication, Commitment to Specialty and Teamwork, plus a global rating.

How it is marked

In each station two assessors score you independently. Each gives up to 15 marks across the station's three equally weighted domains and a global rating out of 10 for your overall performance in the station, so each station is worth 50 marks and the interview 100. Scores are reviewed at the end of each interview day, and unjustified discrepancies between assessors are amended. Your scaled MSRA score is then combined with your interview score; the MSRA counts for 15% of the total selection score (7.5% each for its Professional Dilemmas and Clinical Problem Solving papers).

Passing

To be appointable you need at least 60 out of 100 in the online interview. A global rating of 1 from both assessors in one station can lead to a veto, with the final decision resting with the Clinical Lead. Serious concerns (such as patient safety or probity) or a low score of 25% on any station from either assessor are discussed with the Clinical Lead before a final decision, and you can be vetoed even with a score above the cut-off.

Worth knowing

  • New for 2027: an MSRA cut-off score applies from Round 1 2027, so you must reach it to be invited to interview, and invitations remain subject to interview capacity.
  • Core anaesthetics and ACCS anaesthetics are recruited in one process with one application. You choose one cluster (England and Wales, Northern Ireland or Scotland), interview once, and are considered only for posts in that cluster.
  • You may bring paper notes you have prepared yourself and make notes during the interview, but not use an electronic device. Observers may be present, but only the two assessors score you.
  • For 2027 the MSRA is sat from 5 to 20 January 2027 and the online interview window runs from Tuesday 23 February to Friday 19 March 2027. ANRO says the 2027 interview domain and scoring guidance documents will be published in due course, and the RCoA publishes mock interview videos.

Sources

Formats change. MedMock is not affiliated with any examining body; always check the current regulations on the official site before you apply.

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