Core Surgery Interview Portfolio Station

What happens

• A three-minute pre-prepared presentation, followed by two minutes of questioning
• Two portfolio questions of five minutes each, on domains the assessor chooses — you do not know which in advance
• Marked on skills and knowledge, and on presentation: content, presentation skills and questioning

The index sheet

The portfolio index sheet is mandatory. The official guidance is explicit that candidates who fail to include it will score zero for their portfolio evidence — regardless of what the portfolio contains. Evidence is then graded A to E per domain rather than given a number.

What changed for the current round

One change catches people out every year, and it is worth checking your evidence against before you submit.

• Foundation placements no longer score for surgical experience — only electives and taster weeks count. If your evidence leans on an F2 surgical rotation, it needs rebuilding.
• Evidence domains are realigned to Good Medical Practice: knowledge and skills, safety and culture, and communication.
• Prioritisation now applies at shortlisting as well as offer, so it decides who is interviewed at all.

Core surgical training remains among the most competitive entry points in the UK: the 2025 round drew over 5,300 applications for around 630 posts.

Top Tips

• Do the index sheet first, not last. It is the single cheapest way to lose 45% of your score.
• Prepare every domain, because you do not choose which two come up.
• Rehearse the presentation aloud and to time — three minutes is shorter than it sounds.