Ophthalmology (ST1)
Walk into your Ophthalmology ST1 interview already knowing how you will answer
Rehearse for your Ophthalmology ST1 interview against an AI interviewer who challenges your answers. Get feedback on any session you finish, in seconds.
What is the Ophthalmology ST1 interview, and how do you practise for it?
National recruitment interview for Ophthalmology ST1, as set out in the NHS England South West applicant guide: two online medical consultations of up to 10 minutes each, which may come in either order. Before each you have 5 minutes to read the scenario, and you may make notes and take them in. You speak only to an actor playing a patient or carer; two assessors watch and score without being seen or heard. Interview 1 focuses on clinical knowledge, Interview 2 on a difficult communication or ethical scenario. Examination skills are not demonstrated online. MedMock lets you practise it out loud against an AI interview panel, with examiner-style feedback on any station you finish.
Last updated 29 October 2026
About Ophthalmology (ST1) recruitment
Ophthalmology ST1, 2025 recruitment round (Round 1). NHS England competition ratios
- NHS England (South West) co-ordinates the national selection process for Ophthalmology ST1 recruitment.
- The Ophthalmology selection process has 3 stages: the MSRA, an evidence folder with self-assessment, and a virtual assessment.
- Applicants self-score across 8 domains, with a maximum of 47 points, and must score a minimum of 19 points to continue in the process.
- The virtual assessment has two separate interviews or role plays of up to 10 minutes each, with 5 minutes of reading time before each. One is a clinical knowledge consultation and the other a difficult communication or ethical scenario.
- In each Ophthalmology role play the candidate speaks with an actor playing a patient or carer, and two assessors observe and score. The assessors are not seen or heard by the candidate.
- The total score combines the evidence folder (maximum 50 points) and the online assessment (maximum 50 points); the MSRA score is not included in the total score.
- The highest ranking 350 candidates have their evidence folders reviewed and scored, and the highest ranking 260 are then invited to the interview and assessment.
Checked on 13 October 2026 against Selection process - Ophthalmology ST1 and Scoring, ranking and offers - Ophthalmology ST1. Recruitment changes each year: confirm on the official pages before you apply.
Ophthalmology ST1 interview practice, on demand
MedMock gives you an AI interviewer who challenges your answers, available 24/7. Pick a station, have a spoken conversation, and ask for examiner-style feedback when you finish, scored against what genuinely matters in the Ophthalmology ST1.
How it works
Choose a station
Choose the kind of question or scenario you want to rehearse — ethics, motivation, a role-play, and more.
Have the conversation
Speak naturally, out loud. The AI interviewer listens and asks the demanding follow-ups, just as a real interviewer would.
Get instant feedback
The moment you finish, you get specific, examiner-style feedback and a score — what you did well, what cost you marks, and precisely what to fix before the next attempt.
Practise every scenario
MedMock covers the stations you will face in the Ophthalmology ST1 interview. Rehearse each one until it feels routine.
Interview 1 — Medical Consultation: Clinical Knowledge
Interview 1: a medical consultation focusing on clinical knowledge, with an actor playing a patient or carer — for example taking a history, explaining a condition in plain English or discussing treatment options. Five minutes to read the scenario beforehand; you may take your notes in.
Interview 2 — Medical Consultation: Communication or Ethics
Interview 2: a medical consultation focusing on a difficult communication or ethical scenario, with an actor playing a patient or relative — for example an angry patient, breaking bad news, confidentiality or consent. Five minutes to read the scenario beforehand; you may take your notes in.
Sample Ophthalmology (ST1) interview questions
Two questions from the topics that come up most in MedMock's Ophthalmology (ST1) bank.
“Explain the diagnosis of anterior uveitis to a patient, detailing its potential link to their underlying joint issues, and explain the eye drop regimen.”
“How would you respond to this situation: family members disagree about cataract surgery for a patient who cannot decide independently?”
Example scenarios
A sample of the Ophthalmology ST1 scenarios you can practise, each as a spoken conversation.
“Explain to a 65-year-old patient that their recent OCT scan shows wet age-related macular degeneration and discuss the anti-VEGF intravitreal injection regimen and risks.”
“Break the news to a patient that the swelling at the back of their eye on fundus imaging is papilloedema, and walk them through the urgent neuroimaging pathway.”
Ophthalmology (ST1) recruitment dates 2026–27
The next Ophthalmology (ST1) recruitment date we hold is: Applications 22 October 2026 to 19 November 2026 (national Round 1). Checked against NHS England Medical Specialty Recruitment on 24 September 2026.
Open now: Applications 22 October 2026 to 19 November 2026 (national Round 1)
Ophthalmology (ST1) is recruited through NHS England’s national recruitment round 1, which the national timeline says is for CT1/ST1 posts. Applications are made on Oriel.
Recruitment dates change. MedMock is not affiliated with NHS England Medical Specialty Recruitment; confirm every date, application window and venue on the official site before you apply. NHS England Medical Specialty Recruitment
Ophthalmology (ST1) practice — your questions answered
How does the feedback work?
When you finish a station you can have it marked, and the scorecard comes back in seconds — what you did well, what cost you marks, and exactly what to work on next. Scorecards, mark schemes and model answers are included at no extra credit cost.
Can I practise specific Ophthalmology ST1 stations?
Yes. You can pick either station to drill a weak area, or run a mixed set to simulate the real interview.
How much does it cost?
You can start with a one-off £5 taster: 30 credits, which is 30 minutes of speaking practice, with no subscription. After that, or at any time, you can choose a monthly plan, which includes a monthly credit allowance. Current prices are on the pricing page.
Formats change from year to year: check the official candidate guidance or applicant handbook from the body that runs your exam or interview (the Royal Colleges, NHS England, the GMC and others) for your sitting.
Ready for your Ophthalmology ST1 interview?
Rehearse real Ophthalmology ST1 scenarios out loud and get instant, examiner-style feedback.
- Instant, personalised feedback
- Real voice-to-voice conversation
- Repeatable attempts, a different run every time
Related exams to practise
Be ready for your Ophthalmology ST1 interview before you walk in
Start with the £5 taster, a one-off payment for 30 credits: practise Ophthalmology ST1 interview scenarios out loud and get any of them marked when you are ready.
Practise your Ophthalmology ST1 interview