Obs and Gynae ST3 6th December 2024

ST3 Obstetrics and Gynaecology Interview Guide 2025

With a limited number of posts available, competition for ST3 Obstetrics and Gynaecology is fierce! Therefore, knowing what to expect from the interview, and preparing well, is vital. To make things easier, this guide provides you with the key information you’ll need, including the interview timeline, interview format and interview panel and scoring.

ST3 Obstetrics and Gynaecology Interview Timeline

The following is an overview of the ST3 Obstetrics and Gynaecology recruitment process timeline:

Before applying:

• Ensure that you meet the relevant eligibility criteria
• Register on Oriel
• Familiarise yourself with the information provided about the process and the programme

Applying:

• Complete and submit your ST3 O&G application on Oriel before the deadline, including the self-scoring self-assessment domain questions, which are used for shortlisting (see below).
• Your application will be checked to ensure that you’re eligible to apply (longlisted).
• If you pass the longlisting, you’ll be required to upload evidence to support your self-assessment questions (completed as part of your application). This will be used to verify your self-scores. Your verified score will then be used for the purpose of shortlisting.
• You’ll be required to complete your preferencing – i.e. preference all programmes in which you will be willing to accept a post.

Boost your ST3 Obstetrics and Gynaecology application by Training in Teaching

Gaining a master’s degree in teaching can earn you up to 4 points towards your Obstetrics and Gynaecology ST3 application. This might be difficult to achieve before you submit your application. However, you should score an easy 2 points by providing formal evidence of attending a teaching course like the Medibuddy Teach the Teachers course.

Teach the Teacher Course by Medibuddy

This two-day CPD-accredited online course will earn you 12 CPD points on completion. It’s entirely flexible, so you can complete it in two days or multiple sessions over a longer period. On completion of the course, you’ll receive a certificate for your portfolio that is accredited for CCT, interviews and appraisals.

Find out more

Interviews and offers:

• If you’re shortlisted, you’ll be invited to attend an interview which takes place online in April 2025.
• You’ll be ranked based on a combination of your verified self-assessment score and interview performance. Offers are made in rank order until all posts are filled.

The NHS Health Education England (HEE) provide the following key dates in relation to the recruitment process for posts commencing in August 2025:

* Note all times given are UK time.

ST3 Obstetrics and Gynaecology Interview Format

For the purpose of shortlisting applicants for interview, self-assessment questions are included in the application. Verified self-assessment scores are used to rank applicants, and interviews are offered in rank order up to the available interview capacity. You can find further details of the self-assessment domains and guidance for completing them on the Health Education England website.

If shortlisted, you’ll be invited to attend a 40-minute online interview, which consists of the following two elements:

• Clinical prioritisation
• Structured interview

The interview will assess your skills and competences against the ‘essential’ and ‘desirable’ sections of the person specification.

The interview timings are as follows:

The total interview time is 40 minutes.

Clinical Prioritisation

The Clinical Prioritisation section of the Obs and Gynae ST3 interview requires you to prioritise and explain a management plan for four patients.

In our Obs and Gynae ST3 Interview Question Bank, we have broken down the Clinical Prioritisation questions into Obstetrics, and Gynaecology, and included detailed explanations. The best way to prepare for this is simply to practise. Use different scenarios, different topics across O&G and pay attention to feedback or explanations which can provide insight into areas you can improve.

You can see an example of a gynaecology clinical prioritisation question from our question bank below:

You’ll have five minutes to read through the prioritisation scenario and prepare. The time will go fast! Make sure you use the preparation time effectively so you can provide well structured, thought-out management plans and a justification for your prioritisation.

Structured Interview

The Structured Interview section of the ST3 O&G interview consists of questions which cover the following four areas:

Targets and Management

Think questions relating to leadership and appraisal, as well as topics such as the Maternity Dashboard and Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts (CNST).

Communication

Prepare for topics such as breaking bad news, communicating with women in labour and antenatal counselling.

Challenges and overcoming challenges

Having an understanding of the challenges facing O&G is essential. For example, the challenges of O&G training, the workforce and the pressures of out of programme vacancies.

QIP, research and teaching

Be prepared to discuss Quality Improvement Projects (QIP), the difference between audit and research, and the role of teaching and why it’s important.

The following is an example from our question bank of a ‘challenges’ questions from the structured interview section:

As with the Clinical Prioritisation section, completing practice questions and learning from the feedback / explanations provided is the best way to prepare effectively for the ST3 Structured Interview. Check out our ST3 O&G question bank for a wide range of questions to ensure that you’re as prepared as possible for all aspects of the interview.

ST3 Obs and Gynae Interview Panel

The interview panel will consist of four assessors; two per interview station. The applicants’ guide highlights that you can expect the interviewers to ‘probe and challenge’ your answers if they require more information. Don’t let this put you off, it’s designed to ensure you have a fair opportunity to answer the questions fully, so see it as an opportunity to score some extra points that you’ve missed.

ST3 Obs and Gynae Interview Scoring

Each assessor on the interview panel will score you independently. The applicants’ guide states that all panel members are trained and briefed on the interview process and the importance of maintaining consistent scoring parameters. Additionally, all scoring is reviewed by the interview panel, a lay chair and the recruitment lead, to address any significant discrepancies between the interviewers’ scores.

Your ST3 Obs and Gynae interview score will be combined with your weighted verified self-assessment score to determine your ranking. Offers are then made in rank order until all posts are filled. With O&G ST3, the number of posts is limited and significantly lower than the number of applicants they receive. This makes the interview highly competitive. However, it is not impossible, if you’re determined to secure a position, dedicate time to preparing effectively with plenty of practice questions. We recommend you use a question bank which offers a broad range of topics and high quality explanations to help you to improve. This was our aim when creating our question bank, to ensure that applicants had high quality resources, to enable them to succeed. You can find out more about our Obs and Gynae ST3 question bank and what it offers here.