How to get into GP Training - GP Specialty Training in the UK

The process of applying to GP training (GP specialty training) comprises the following stages:

Stage 1: Longlisting is based on the submission of your application via the new Oriel. To be longlisted, you need to meet the eligibility criteria. The main ones are:

- Eligible for full registration with the GMC + license to practice by the time you start (not needed at time of application)

- 2 years clinical experience by the time you start training (can be in any country) - e.g. FY1 and FY2, or internship + 1 year at SHO/F2 level

- Evidence of Foundation Year 2 competences (either via the Foundation programme or using the Certificate of Readiness to enter Specialty Training (CREST) - the latest version must be used. For applications for August 2024 entry, you will need CREST 2024.

Read the FULL eligibility critera in the GP ST1 National Person Specification from the National Recruitment Office site.

The main round is Round 1 - for jobs starting August 2024 - over 4000 jobs with all areas recruiting:

Dates for Round 1 2024:

Apply from: 26th October 2023 (10am), closing date 23rd November 2023 (4pm)
CREST deadline: CREST 2024 must be submitted at the time of application - there is no extended deadline

Invitations to book MSRA: By 14th December 2023
MSRA dates (2024): 4th – 16th January 2024
MSRA results: By 9th February 2024
Job offers: 4th March 2024
Hold deadline: 4th April 2024 1pm
Upgrade deadline: 9th April 2024 4pm
Start date: 7th August 2024

Round 2 and is a mixture of unfilled jobs from round 1 and some jobs specifically setup for a February start, and a small number for an April start - there are usually 300-600+ jobs available, in limited areas.

Dates for Round 2 (jobs starting February 2025 onwards) are:

Apply from: 23rd July 2024, closing date 13th August 2024 (4pm)

CREST deadline: CREST 2024 must be submitted at the time of application - there is no extended deadline

Invitations to book MSRA: By 22nd August 2024
MSRA dates: 6th - 13th September 2024
MSRA results: By 1st October 2024
Job offers: 10th October 2024

Hold deadline: 24th October 2024 (1pm)
Upgrade deadline: 25th October 2024 (4pm)
Start date: February 2025 for most jobs. A few jobs may start in April 2025

Stage 2: Multi-Specialty Recruitment Assessment (MSRA) is a computer based exam comprising both clinical and professional dilemma multiple choice questions.

- Professional dilemma paper - 50 Situational Judgement Test questions in 95 minutes

- Clinical problem solving paper - 97 clinical questions in 75 minutes  You can read more about this paper and how to prepare for it in this article on the MSRA.

For 2024 / 2025 entry, your scores in the MSRA which will determine if you get an offer / where that offer will be - there will NOT be any interview / Stage 3 assessment / selection centre for GP training this year. The MSRA is not a simple pass / fail assessment - it is competitively ranked, and your score makes up 100% of your overall score (50% is the SJT paper, 50% is the clinical paper). It is important that you start preparing early, so that you can get the best score possible - every mark matters - it could be the difference between getting an offer or not, or help determine whether you get one your top offers or one of your lower preferences.