Ophthalmology ST1 · interview guide
The Ophthalmology ST1 interview: role-plays, scoring and how to prepare
Ophthalmology ST1 is one of the most competitive entry points. The online assessment is worth half your final score, and your verified evidence folder the other half. This guide explains the two role-plays and the thresholds at each stage.
- Official NHS England recruitment pages, quoted
- Free evidence folder calculator
The Ophthalmology assessment at a glance
- Virtual. Two role-play interviews with an actor, up to 10 minutes each, with 5 minutes of reading before each.
- Two assessors observe and score each one. About 45 minutes in all.
- Final score: evidence folder 50, online assessment 50. The MSRA is not included.
- You need at least 40% in the assessment.
Source: NHS England Medical Hub, Ophthalmology ST1 pages, read 31 October 2026.
How Ophthalmology ST1 selection works
There are three stages, each with its own cut.
- MSRA. Candidates who self-score 19 or more are ranked on their MSRA, and the top 350 have their evidence folders verified and scored.
- Evidence folder. The 260 highest-ranking candidates on their verified folder score are invited to the assessment. A verified score below 20 does not progress.
- Assessment. Your final score is your evidence folder (out of 50) plus the online assessment (out of 50). “The score from the MSRA will not be included within the total score.”
In 2026, 1,141 applications were made for 115 posts, a ratio of 9.92. In 2025 it was 21.54 (Medical Hub competition ratios).
The two role-plays
- Interview 1: a consultation with an actor that focuses on clinical knowledge.
- Interview 2: a difficult communication or ethical scenario with an actor.
Each lasts up to 10 minutes, with 5 minutes of reading before you go in. Two assessors observe and score you against set criteria.
How to prepare
- Practise consultations out loud with a colleague playing the patient. Explaining a common eye condition clearly and safely is the core skill.
- Use the reading time. Five minutes is enough to plan an opening, the key points and a close.
- Prepare for difficult conversations: complaints, errors, consent and confidentiality.
- Get your evidence folder right first. It is half your final score, and it decides whether you are invited at all.
When it happens
You sit the MSRA in January and upload your evidence folder from mid-January to early February. The online assessment is in March, and first offers come out in early April. Check exact dates on the Ophthalmology ST1 recruitment timeline.
Score your evidence folder
- Work out your folder score, domain by domain, in our Ophthalmology ST1 evidence folder guide.
- A national presentation is one of the folder’s scoring items. NMERC is an online national conference for doctors and medical students, and submitting an abstract is free.
- See how the MSRA is used across specialties in our MSRA guide.
- Other interview guides: IMT · CST · Radiology · Paediatrics · Anaesthetics.
Common questions
Does the MSRA count in my final Ophthalmology score?
No. It decides whose evidence folders are verified, but it is not part of the total.
How many candidates are interviewed?
The 260 highest-ranking candidates on their verified evidence folder score.
Is the Ophthalmology assessment online?
Yes, it is virtual.
