The Core Surgical Training interview: stations, scoring and the portfolio station

How CST selection works for 2027

• Shortlisting is on the MSRA. After MSRA results are released, “approximately the top 1200 candidates will be invited to interview and upload evidence for the portfolio station”.
• No self-assessment on Oriel. In its place, you upload portfolio evidence in February, which is assessed at the portfolio station.
• Your final score is “a combination of MSRA (10%), portfolio station score (45%) and management and clinical station score (45%)”.

In 2026, 4,975 applications were made for 720 CST posts, a ratio of 6.91 (Medical Hub competition ratios).

The two stations

Both stations last 15 minutes, and you rotate between them in either order.

Management and clinical station

• One management scenario and two clinical scenarios, with 5 minutes for each.
• Two panel members score you.
• The management question looks at probity, judgement under pressure and prioritisation, and communication. Each clinical scenario looks at clinical skills and knowledge, judgement and communication.

Portfolio station

• A 3-minute presentation you prepare in advance, then 2 minutes of questions on it.
• Two portfolio questions of 5 minutes each.
• Three or four panel members, who have reviewed the evidence you uploaded.

Every element is marked from 0 (no evidence) to 6 (outstanding).

Uploading your portfolio evidence

Candidates invited to interview upload evidence in a short window in February. The 2027 portfolio guide sets out three domains: Knowledge, Skills and Development; Patients, Partnership and Communication; and Colleagues, Culture and Safety.

• Include the index page. It lists your category for each domain. The guide is explicit: candidates who leave it out “will score 0 for their portfolio evidence”.
• Complete achievements by the evidence deadline. The 2027 guide says achievements must be completed by the submission date in February.
• Choose your best example for each domain. The panel reviews the evidence before you join the station, then asks about it.

Read the official CST portfolio guidance before you upload. It changed in late October 2026.

How to prepare

• Write and time your 3-minute presentation. It opens the station that carries 45% of your score.
• Know your evidence. The two portfolio questions are about what you uploaded, so be ready to talk through each item and what you learned from it.
• Practise structured answers to management scenarios. Prioritisation and probity come up every year.
• Rehearse clinical scenarios under time pressure. Five minutes each goes quickly.

When it happens

You apply in the autumn and sit the MSRA in January. Interview invitations and the evidence upload follow in February, interviews run in early March, and first offers come out in early April. Check exact dates on the CST recruitment timeline.

Build the portfolio the panel will score

• See what each portfolio domain rewards in our Core Surgical Training portfolio guide.
• A national presentation you were selected to give is strong evidence and gives you something to present.
• See how much the MSRA counts here and elsewhere in our MSRA guide.
• Other interview guides: IMT · Radiology · Paediatrics · Ophthalmology · Anaesthetics.

Common questions

Is there a self-assessment for CST in 2027?

Not on Oriel. You upload portfolio evidence after you are invited to interview, and it is assessed at the portfolio station.

How much does the MSRA count for CST?

10% of your final score. It also decides who is invited to interview.

Is the CST interview online?

Yes. Both stations are held online on Qpercom.