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Intensive Care Medicine ST3 • 2027 Interview

The 2027 Intensive Care Medicine ST3 Interview Revision Platform: Question Bank, Live Practice and Mocks with Other Candidates

The Medibuddy Intensive Care Medicine ST3 Question Bank includes over 20 scenarios that closely mirror the real interview, each with a model answer written/edited by high-scoring candidates who sat the Intensive Care Medicine ST3 interview in 2026.

However, knowing a strong answer isn't the same as delivering it well under pressure, which is why we provide:

  • Study Groups with candidates across the country
  • Unlimited Live Mocks with real people
  • Peer Feedback on your mocks from a wide range of candidates

10 years’ experience preparing doctors for interviews

Users of the Medibuddy Intensive Care Medicine ST3 Revision Platform have secured some of the most competitive training jobs in recent rounds. Ask around, there's a good chance the trainees in the year above you used us too.

Always up to date

Did you know the interviews change every year? That's why we review and update every Question Bank on the platform twice a year, so you know you're always practising with scenarios based on the latest interview structure.

Network and practise real interview scenarios with other candidates

Question Bank

See every scenario, and how to answer it well

Over 20 scenarios across all three stations, which tell you exactly how to respond to each question.
Study Groups

Connect with candidates across the country

Most people only ever practise with one or two friends. Study Groups connect you with candidates right across the country sitting the same Intensive Care Medicine ST3 interview.
Live MocksBeta

Practise interview technique with different candidates

Arrange or get matched on demand with other candidates and run real scenarios out loud under interview conditions. Those who practise with the widest range of people tend to score the highest.
Peer FeedbackBeta

Reviewed by candidates across the platform

Submit your recorded mocks to candidates across the platform and get honest, varied feedback. Reviewing other people's mocks teaches you just as much.

The question bank, and other candidates to practise with, all in one platform.

Intensive Care Medicine ST3 Revision Platform • £144.99

Gain access to over 20 scenarios across all three stations, and collaborate with other candidates through Study Groups, Live Mocks and Peer Feedback.
Get instant access
What candidates say

Scored well, secured their post

A few of the candidates who prepared with us for the Intensive Care Medicine ST3 interview.

Verified candidateInterviewed 2026
"The clinical scenarios were pitched exactly right. Having a clear structure ready meant I could work through a deteriorating patient calmly instead of freezing."
Secured first-choice deanery
Verified candidateInterviewed 2026
"Practising the task prioritisation station out loud with other candidates made a real difference to how I handled the pressure on the day."
Ranked highly
Part 1 • See the questions

The Medibuddy 2027 Intensive Care Medicine ST3 Question Bank

The interview has three stations, each lasting 10 minutes and worth up to 48 marks, so you have a limited window to deliver the high-scoring answers you need to do well. That means every point has to land, and knowing how to structure each answer is essential. That's why each of our 20+ scenarios comes with a model answer, written by candidates who scored highly in the 2026 Intensive Care Medicine ST3 interview, so you know exactly how to approach every question the interviewers throw your way.
What's inside

What's included in the Intensive Care Medicine ST3 Question Bank

There's nothing worse than getting to the interview and being handed a scenario you've never seen before. The panel draws on clinical, prioritisation and commitment themes, so the safest approach is to revise across all of them. We provide scenarios for every part of the interview, including the common ones and the more unusual cases that have come up before, so you don't get caught out.

Clinical Scenario

Deteriorating and critically unwell patients: assess with an A to E approach, interpret the investigations and act, each with a worked answer showing safe, structured management.

Task Prioritisation

Scenarios with several simultaneous demands, testing how you prioritise, delegate and keep oversight, with model answers that show clear, safe reasoning.

Commitment to Specialty

Questions on your understanding of intensive care medicine, reflection on your strengths and development, and genuine motivation, each with a worked example of how to present yourself well.
Reflecting how ICM is really assessed
Intensive care medicine turns on rapid, safe clinical judgement and the ability to prioritise a competing workload. Our scenarios are built around exactly these situations, alongside your commitment to the specialty.
Try it

Try an example Intensive Care Medicine ST3 question

You are the ICU registrar on call, asked to review a 72-year-old man with known COPD admitted with decompensated type 2 respiratory failure during a COPD exacerbation. He has been on NIV for the past six hours.

The medical registrar is concerned because he is more drowsy and appears to be struggling on NIV.

On assessment: drowsy, GCS 12 (E3V4M5), heart rate 110, blood pressure 135/73, respiratory rate 32, SpO2 87% on NIV at FiO2 35% (IPAP 18, EPAP 6).

How would you approach this?

Question
How would you initially assess this patient?
Example answer
I would treat him as critically unwell and use a rapid ABCDE approach, identifying and treating problems as I find them.
  • Airway: is it patent, and does he need immediate airway protection given his reduced GCS?
  • Breathing: his respiratory rate is high and saturations low despite NIV. I would auscultate for wheeze or signs of a pneumothorax and take an arterial blood gas.
  • Circulation: he is tachycardic but normotensive, so I would get an ECG and ensure IV access.
  • Disability: his drowsiness is concerning for a rising CO2, but I would also check his glucose and screen for focal neurology suggesting a stroke.
  • Exposure: look for signs of infection or other pathology.
Question
How would you interpret his arterial blood gas?
Example answer
On NIV at FiO2 35%, his gas shows pH 7.18, PaCO2 11.5 kPa, PaO2 7.8 kPa and HCO3 30.
  • This is decompensated type 2 respiratory failure with a respiratory acidosis and marked hypercapnia.
  • The raised bicarbonate fits chronic CO2 retention with an acute deterioration on top.
  • Combined with his clinical picture, this is very concerning and I would be worried about an imminent respiratory arrest.
It tells me his current NIV settings are inadequate, or that he is failing on NIV.
Question
How would you manage him, and what else could be going on?
Example answer
My management follows from the ABCDE findings.
  • First, check the NIV mask for a leak or poor fit, which is quick to correct, then titrate the settings, increasing the IPAP or pressure support guided by tidal volumes.
  • Once the mask and settings are optimised, look for and treat reversible causes: urgent chest physiotherapy if secretions are a concern, and an urgent bedside chest X-ray for consolidation or pneumothorax.
  • Optimise the medical management of his COPD exacerbation and review his drug chart for anything contributing to his drowsiness.
Alongside a worsening COPD exacerbation, I would consider mucous plugging, pneumothorax, acute pulmonary oedema, pulmonary embolism and stroke.
Question
His repeat gas after an hour shows no improvement. How would you approach his ceiling of care?
Example answer
I would gather the information needed to make a considered decision, and involve the right people.
  • Severity of his COPD: review the notes for respiratory clinic letters and his most recent spirometry.
  • Baseline functional status: as he is too drowsy to discuss this himself, review the admission notes and speak to his family or next of kin.
  • Any previous ICU admission or intubation, and whether his own wishes were discussed on admission.
If I were unsure about the appropriate ceiling of care, I would discuss the case with the on-call ICU consultant.
Question
How does your plan differ if he is, or is not, for intubation?
Example answer
If he is not for intubation: the priority becomes his comfort. I would ensure his family or next of kin are contacted and asked to attend, make a clear decision about CPR if it has not already been documented, and be prepared to stop NIV if he becomes distressed or increasingly drowsy.

If he is for intubation: I would call the on-call ICU consultant to come in, and optimise him while I wait. If he is stable enough I would move him to ICU where staff are familiar with intubation, continue NIV and increase the FiO2 to pre-oxygenate, prepare rapid sequence induction drugs, and discuss the initial plan with the nursing staff, making clear it will be reviewed when the consultant arrives.

That's one scenario. There are over 20 more.

Intensive Care Medicine ST3 Revision Platform • £144.99

Includes every scenario in the Question Bank, and access to Study Groups, Live Mocks with other candidates and Peer Feedback.
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Actively maintained

How we keep our Question Banks up to date

The Intensive Care Medicine ST3 interview changes from year to year, and the biggest fear for any candidate is getting to interview day and realising you've revised with a question bank that's totally outdated.

That's why we review and update every Question Bank twice a year, so you know you're revising with scenarios that are likely to come up. We do this in April after the previous year's interviews, and again in the autumn when the new recruitment guidance is published.

For 2027, this process kept the Question Bank aligned with the current three-station format, so you always practise with the structure the panel is using now.
Updated for 2027 Interviews
Part 2 • Practise them live

The only interview resource where you can practise live with other candidates from across the country

Our Intensive Care Medicine ST3 Question Bank tells you exactly how to answer real interview scenarios. But how you practise with them will determine how many marks you score. Simply reading answers off a screen won't prepare you for the intense scrutiny you'll face in the interview. And only practising with the same few colleagues or friends limits the amount of feedback you'll get. Medibuddy gives you unique access to Intensive Care Medicine ST3 candidates across the country, so you can learn from a variety of perspectives and hear a far wider range of feedback than your own circle could ever give you.

Study Groups
When you prepare in isolation, you're relying on your own interpretation of the interview process, which is one of the quickest ways to get found out on the day. Study Groups connect you with other doctors across the country who are also applying to Intensive Care Medicine ST3, so you can engage and network with people preparing for the same interview as you. Everyone brings different experience from different hospitals and deaneries, meaning you won't ever miss out on the key bits of information that could swing the interview in your favour.
Live MocksBeta
Candidates who don't take part in mocks often struggle to adapt to the pressure of the interview. Your knowledge might be correct, but without convincing delivery the interviewers will score you poorly. The best way to improve your delivery is to take part in as many live mocks as possible, which is why we haven't put a cap on how many you can do. We also know how difficult it can be to organise mocks with other people, so all you have to do is join the waiting room and we'll match you with a different Intensive Care Medicine ST3 candidate each time. Take turns as both the interviewer and candidate on real Question Bank scenarios, so you can see exactly how other candidates perform in real time, while refining your own interview technique.
Peer FeedbackBeta
Preparing alone means you won't know how you're coming across during the interview. And preparing with the same few candidates means you'll miss opportunities to improve, which is why it's so important to get as many opinions as possible on your performance. With Medibuddy, you can record a mock and submit it for feedback from other candidates on the platform, so you receive a wider range of feedback and refine your answers with each person you practise with. Reviewing other people's mocks is just as valuable, as it shows you how strong candidates handle the same scenarios, which is one of the fastest ways to improve.
The interview

What to expect from the Intensive Care Medicine ST3 interview

Intensive care medicine is a competitive specialty. In 2025, 537 doctors applied for 181 posts, around three applicants for every place.

The interview is three stations, each 10 minutes and worth up to 48 marks, 144 in total, with around 5 minutes of reading time before the clinical scenario.

Station

Clinical

A clinical scenario, with reading time beforehand, assessing your problem-solving, diagnosis, decision-making, situational awareness and how clearly you organise your ideas around a deteriorating patient.
Station

Task Prioritisation

Tests how you handle several competing demands at once, how you prioritise safely and how you delegate while keeping oversight.
Station

Commitment to Specialty

Explores your understanding of intensive care medicine, your reflection on your strengths and development, and your genuine interest in the field.

How the interview is scored

Each station is marked against the Intensive Care Medicine ST3 person specification. Our model answers are structured against those criteria, so you know exactly what a strong, well-organised answer looks like at each station.
Get ready

How to prepare for the Intensive Care Medicine ST3 interview

Start with the Question Bank

Work through over 20 scenarios across all three stations, each with a worked answer from a candidate who scored well in the 2026 interview. Start by reading how a strong answer is formed, then think about how you'd deliver it.

Talk the hard ones through in Study Groups

Study Groups are your biggest opportunity to network and connect with other candidates sitting the same interview as you. Everyone on the platform is in the same boat, so don't be scared to get involved and ask questions. Someone in your study group might just help you work through a scenario you've been struggling with.

Rehearse out loud in Live Mocks

Live mocks are where you begin to put everything you've learned into practice, and we know from experience that those who practise with a wide range of candidates usually do the best. Organise mocks with people from one of your study groups, or get matched with a random Intensive Care Medicine ST3 candidate, then take turns as interviewer and candidate using real scenarios until answering out loud under pressure feels normal.

Get reviewed with Peer Feedback before the day

Once you've recorded a mock, you can have other community members review it. This lets you see how you come across to other people, and gives you time to refine your delivery as you revise, rather than being caught out on the day. Reviewing other people's mocks is just as crucial, as you see how other candidates navigate the same scenarios.
Questions

Frequently asked questions

What does the Intensive Care Medicine ST3 interview involve?
Three stations, each 10 minutes and worth up to 48 marks (144 in total): a Clinical scenario with reading time beforehand, a Task Prioritisation exercise, and a Commitment to Specialty station. Each assesses a different mix of clinical reasoning, prioritisation and motivation.
How competitive is the Intensive Care Medicine ST3 interview?
In 2025, 537 doctors applied for 181 posts, around three applicants for every place, and strong candidates are frequently separated by small margins, which is why a structured, well-rehearsed approach matters.
Who writes the model answers?
High-scoring candidates who sat the Intensive Care Medicine ST3 interview in 2026, and secured some of the most competitive posts.
Can I practise with other candidates?
Yes. Every Revision Platform purchase gives you the opportunity to connect with other candidates through Study Groups, Live Mocks and Peer Feedback.
How do the Live Mocks work?
All you have to do is join the waiting room, and we match you with another Intensive Care Medicine ST3 candidate. You then take turns as interviewer and candidate on real Question Bank scenarios, so you gain experience answering out loud to a real person before you ever sit in front of the panel.
What are Study Groups and how do they help?
Study Groups are community forums for doctors across the country preparing for the same Intensive Care Medicine ST3 interview. You can ask questions, share what you're struggling with, and compare how you'd approach a scenario.
Can I get feedback on my interview performance?
Yes. After you've recorded a mock, you can ask other members to review it, so you can see which part of your answer needs fine-tuning.
How do you keep the Intensive Care Medicine ST3 Question Bank up to date?
We review and update it twice a year: in April after that year's interviews, and again in the autumn when the new recruitment guidance is published, so you always practise with the current three-station format.
How long do I get access for?
Access runs for 12 months from the purchase date.

Start preparing for the Intensive Care Medicine ST3 interview

The Revision Platform gives you over 20 scenarios to practise and refine with other candidates through Study Groups, Live Mocks and Peer Feedback.

Intensive Care Medicine ST3 Revision Platform • £144.99

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