MSRA · Booking and test day
Your invitation and current NHS England instructions—not an unofficial timetable—determine where and when you sit. Check Pearson registration, booking confirmation, photo ID and the different 2027 testing windows.
NHS England announced a January 2027 sitting open to all specialties and a February sitting reserved for GP and/or Core Psychiatry applicants.
Eligible applicants receive instructions for Pearson account registration and later an invitation to book.
NHS England specifies original, valid government-issued identification with name, recent photograph and signature, and early arrival.
In depth
Section 01
As checked on 12 October 2026, NHS England says January is open to applicants across all MSRA-using specialties, while February is reserved for those applying to General Practice and/or Core Psychiatry.
Where demand exceeds February capacity, some such applicants may be given January appointments. NHS England explicitly states that withdrawing applications cannot be used to change an allocated window.
The booking notice, specialty and nation-specific timeline and official invitation govern an individual candidate. Do not treat a general schedule as a personal guaranteed appointment.
Section 02
Eligible applicants may first need to register for a Pearson Professional Examinations account using credentials connected to Oriel. NHS England makes clear that account registration is not itself a booked test.
Once invited to book, select an available appointment under the official instructions and check the confirmation email and account. Centre capacity is finite, and a preferred location may be full.
Resolve name discrepancies early via the process NHS England describes for Oriel and Pearson, and check travel against your confirmed location rather than an assumed centre.
Section 03
NHS England publishes procedures for special accommodations, including circumstances where Pearson arranges the booking rather than the candidate. Follow current eligibility, evidence and timing instructions early.
Remote OnVUE testing is a conditional option for eligible candidates, not an automatic entitlement. Its environmental, ID and break rules require separate reading.
If you need to reschedule or have a booking issue, use official Pearson or MSRA contacts; do not assume a social-media workaround will preserve your application.
Section 04
NHS England advises arriving at least 15 minutes early. Accepted ID is original, unexpired and government issued, with a matching name, recognisable photograph and signature. E-visas and digital ID are not accepted.
Phones, notes, watches and other unauthorised items are prohibited in the testing room. Follow the local invigilator's instructions and the current admissions policy; late arrivals are not admitted.
The paper timers are separate and there is an optional five-minute scheduled break. NHS England warns that exceeding break rules may revoke the assessment; remote and centre policies must be read carefully.
Original teaching exercise
An applicant has applied to Clinical Radiology and Core Psychiatry in the 2027 Round 1 cycle. They hope for a February sitting to gain preparation time and consider withdrawing the radiology application to move the test.
An official allocation and confirmed appointment govern your test, not the month you would prefer.
Illustrative 2027 logistics scenario based on guidance checked 12 October 2026. Recheck official updates.
Preparation
Common mistakes
Free Mini MSRA Bank
240 CPS questions and 50 PD scenarios with explanations. A free account is required.
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Official source
Last checked 12 October 2026. Official NHS England guidance remains the source of truth.
Check primary sources for changes to exam arrangements, recruitment and professional standards.
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