Key takeaways
- The CST management and clinical station is one management scenario and two clinical scenarios, five minutes each, with the questions given live. That is the 2026 format.
- It is worth 45% of the selection score out of 100, the same as the portfolio station; the MSRA is the remaining 10%.
- Four domains are marked: probity, professional integrity and awareness of safety and ethics; judgement under pressure and prioritisation; communication; clinical skills and knowledge.
- Each item is scored 0 to 6: 0 no evidence, 3 satisfactory, 6 outstanding. No appointability threshold has been published for CST.
- The three-minute prepared presentation sits in the portfolio station, not here.
Understanding The Core Surgical Training Interview Management Station
2026 format: one management scenario and two clinical scenarios, five minutes each, questions given live in the station. Worth 45% of the selection score. Marked on probity and safety awareness, judgement under pressure and prioritisation, communication, and clinical skills and knowledge.
The CST management and clinical station for 2027 is one management scenario and two clinical scenarios of five minutes each, with every question given live, and it carries 45% of the selection score. The three-minute presentation now sits in the portfolio station. The scenarios below show the management questions asked in recent rounds and the frameworks that answer them.
Example presentation topic: “Reflect on your experience of leadership when working as a team member and how this will be useful as a core trainee.”
Presentation
The presentation is typically emailed out 2 weeks in advance of the interview date, around the time when you book your interview slot. Topics chosen have typically focused on an aspect of the person specification and been fairly broad to allow candidates to be as imaginative as possible, in previous years 'Leadership' has been a favourite. Given you only have 3 minutes, keep things concise, make 3 clear points and personalise the presentation as much as possible to avoid being too generic. Further guidance can be found in the question bank.
Management Scenarios
Management questions deal with clinically related ethical and logistical issues common to surgical practice, for example ethical dilemmas, communication situations, legal and moral obligations under GMC guidance, leadership and time management. This station is designed to see how you think and relate to the wider world of working in the NHS.
Patient safety is key and should be at the forefront of every answer. Frameworks such as STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) or SPIES (Situation, Patient Safety, Initiative, Escalation, Support) can help to structure your answer and ensure you cover all bases. Think sensibly and consider what you would do in work.
Core Surgery Interview Management Station Top Tips
- The Management Station tends to be what separates the very best candidates, look back through your MRCS and medical school communication skills notes.
- Scenarios are designed to be realistic; remain calm, employ active listening and try to reach a satisfactory conclusion within the timeframe.
- Although scenarios are random, using a framework when responding can help you structure your answer, score points and logically reach a conclusion.
- Our Question Bank features plenty of commonly asked management scenarios together with frameworks and examples.
FAQ
What is in the CST management and clinical station?
One management scenario and two clinical scenarios, five minutes each, with the questions given live rather than in advance. That is the 2026 format on Qpercom.
How much is the management and clinical station worth?
45% of the CST selection score out of 100. The portfolio station is another 45% and the MSRA 10%.
Is the presentation in the management station?
No. The three-minute prepared presentation and its two minutes of questions are the opening of the portfolio station. The management and clinical station is entirely live scenarios.
What does the panel mark in the management scenarios?
Four domains: probity, professional integrity and awareness of safety and ethics; judgement under pressure and prioritisation; communication; and clinical skills and knowledge. Each item is scored 0 to 6.
Which frameworks help with management questions?
STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for experience questions and SPIES (Seek information, Patient safety, Initiative, Escalate, Support) for dilemmas. Patient safety sits at the front of every answer.