The interview format has changed over the last few years. Historically deaneries would interview their own candidates locally, modifying the stations to fit with their preferences. Now there is a national selection system (which is standard for other competitive run-through specialties like ophthalmology and radiology).
The interview is in the following online format for 2022, please note there is no communication station:
The Interview Stations
This year there are TWO stations, each lasting approximately 15 minutes. You will be assessed and scored at each station by at least two Consultants. There is likely to be a layperson present too; it is their job to ensure that the interview process is conducted fairly to all candidates. You can prepare for the interview using our interview question bank here.
1. Structured Interview Station
- Quick fire round of questions. It is important that you practise your answers for the common questions that are likely to arise. For examples, use our interview question bank.
- Use this station to outline to the examiners your key selling points, your positive attributes and why they should employ you.
- You are likely to be asked questions that demonstrate your achievements (teaching/research/academic/quality improvement) as well as key attributes such as communication and team working.
2. Clinical Prioritisation Station
- This station reflects real-life working. The content will not always be specific to O&G as the scenarios are intended to assess knowledge at FY2 level and not that of a specialty trainee.
- Scenarios are there to assess: problem solving; decision making; managing others; organisation as well as clinical knowledge and patient safety.
- You are often given the scenario to read before you enter the room and have some time to structure your thoughts. For worked examples use our interview question bank.
Global Performance Score
This is a score of the overall interview and how the candidate comes across to the examiners. They look for patient safety, passion for the specialty and knowledge.
How the scoring works:
| Section | Raw Marks from Examiner |
| Clinical Prioritisation | 20 |
| Structured Interview | 20 |
| Global Performance Score | 10 |
| Total Score | 50 |
Further Information
Where are the interviews held?
- Online interview, due to the Covid-19 pandemic
Do I need to provide a portfolio?
- No. This is no longer required and was removed prior to the 2016/2017 recruitment. This means that candidates need to interview well. Practise is everything.
Do I need to sit the Part 1 MRCOG during my foundation training?
- No. Passing the Part 1 MRCOG exam is not required for specialty application and it does not give you any extra points. It could, however, be used to demonstrate commitment to specialty.
Is there anything else I need to do?
- New to the recruitment process in 2017 is the Multi-Specialty Recruitment Assessment (MSRA). The MSRA is a written situational judgement test that is now used across a multitude of specialities.
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Time is always short in interviews. The key is to try and plan what you would ideally like to get across to the examiners during each station. Hopefully you have found this post useful. You can also use our O&G ST1 Interview Question Bank to prepare for each individual station.
Try our other articles:
Obs & Gynae ST1 Interview Tips
Obs & Gynae ST1 Interview Preparation and Essential Reading
The Day in the Life of an Obs & Gynae ST1 Trainee
Check out all our Obs & Gynae ST1 Interview resources
