Psychiatry of Learning Disability (ST4)
Walk into your Psychiatry of Learning Disability ST4 interview already knowing how you will answer
Rehearse for your Psychiatry of Learning Disability ST4 interview against an AI interviewer who challenges your answers. Get feedback on any session you finish, in seconds.
What is the Psychiatry of Learning Disability ST4 interview, and how do you practise for it?
Psychiatry of Learning Disability is one of the specialties you can be considered for after a single ST4 psychiatry application to NHS England's National Psychiatry Recruitment Office. Every applicant sits the same online interview, whichever specialties they want: one panel of about 15 minutes that asks two scenario questions of about 6 minutes each, Part A and Part B, whose stems are published in advance each round, and gives a communication mark across the whole interview. Part A and Part B are each scored out of 20 and communication out of 10. There is no portfolio or audit station, and no supporting evidence is used at interview: your self-assessment is scored separately beforehand. MedMock practises Part A and Part B as two stations, with one examiner voice for the two-person panel; the full mock runs them back to back. 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 Psychiatry of Learning Disability (ST4) recruitment
Psychiatry (all specialties) ST4, 2025 recruitment round (Round 2). NHS England competition ratios
- For Psychiatry of Learning Disability, the higher training programme in Psychiatry of Learning Disability consists of the equivalent of 3 years of full-time clinical experience, and one year could be spent in a designated Psychiatry of Learning Disability service targeted at children.
- Approved dual programmes that include Psychiatry of Learning Disability are with Forensic Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry; a CCT application is made only when both programmes are completed.
- Like other higher psychiatry specialties, all eligible applicants are invited to book a 15 minute online interview, in which they are asked 2 scenario-based questions.
Checked on 13 October 2026 against Overview of Higher Training and Overview of Higher Training: interviews. Recruitment changes each year: confirm on the official pages before you apply.
Psychiatry of Learning Disability ST4 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 Psychiatry of Learning Disability ST4.
How it works
Choose a station
Choose Part A or Part B, the two scenario questions every ST4 psychiatry applicant is asked, or run both back to back.
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
The real ST4 psychiatry interview is one online panel of about 15 minutes. It asks two scenario questions of about 6 minutes each, Part A and Part B, whose stems are published in advance and are the same for every psychiatry specialty, and gives a communication mark across the whole interview. No portfolio or supporting evidence is used. MedMock practises Part A and Part B as two stations, with one examiner voice for the two-person panel, and the full mock runs them back to back.
Part A — Managing a complex case
Part A of the ST4 psychiatry interview: a scenario question of about 6 minutes on managing a complex case, such as taking over the care of a patient who disagrees with their management plan. It is the same question whichever psychiatry specialty you apply for. The examiner puts the scenario to you and asks follow-up questions; no portfolio or supporting evidence is used.
Part B — Working within a stretched system
Part B of the ST4 psychiatry interview: a scenario question of about 6 minutes on working or training within a stretched system, such as an understaffed service with poor teamwork. It is the same question whichever psychiatry specialty you apply for. The examiner puts the scenario to you and asks follow-up questions; no portfolio or supporting evidence is used.
Sample Psychiatry of Learning Disability (ST4) interview questions
Two questions from the topics that come up most in MedMock's Psychiatry of Learning Disability (ST4) bank.
“A senior colleague asks you to independently assess and manage a patient whose presentation is genuinely outside your current level of competence, and there is no one immediately available to support you. How would you handle this?”
“Protected teaching time for trainees has been repeatedly cancelled over recent months because everyone is needed clinically, and you feel this is affecting both morale and learning. What would you do?”
Example scenarios
A sample of the Psychiatry of Learning Disability ST4 scenarios you can practise, each as a spoken conversation.
“You have just taken over the care of a patient who has capacity and disagrees with her management plan. How would you approach this?”
“You start ST4 in a very busy, understaffed service where you have seen poor teamwork and poor patient care. How might this affect your work, and what would you do?”
Psychiatry of Learning Disability (ST4) recruitment dates 2026–27
The next Psychiatry of Learning Disability (ST4) recruitment date we hold is: Applications 19 November 2026 to 10 December 2026 (national Round 2). Checked against NHS England Medical Specialty Recruitment on 24 September 2026.
Time until Applications 19 November 2026 to 10 December 2026 (national Round 2)
— d — h — m — sPsychiatry of Learning Disability (ST4) is recruited through NHS England’s national recruitment round 2, which the national timeline says is for ST3/ST4 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
Psychiatry of Learning Disability (ST4) 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 Psychiatry of Learning Disability ST4 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 Psychiatry of Learning Disability ST4 interview?
Rehearse real Psychiatry of Learning Disability ST4 scenarios out loud and get instant, examiner-style feedback.
- Instant, personalised feedback
- Real voice-to-voice conversation
- Repeatable attempts, a different run every time
Guides to help you prepare
Be ready for your Psychiatry of Learning Disability ST4 interview before you walk in
Start with the £5 taster, a one-off payment for 30 credits: practise Psychiatry of Learning Disability ST4 interview scenarios out loud and get any of them marked when you are ready.
Practise your Psychiatry of Learning Disability ST4 interview