MSRA · Mock exam methods
A mock is valuable when it changes what you do next. Simulate the separately timed papers, distinguish incorrect from unattempted items, and verify that revisions transfer to fresh questions.
The official assessment uses a 95-minute PD paper and 75-minute CPS paper with independent timers and an optional scheduled five-minute break.
Headline mock scores hide why questions were missed.
A review plan should target a repeated error rather than chasing more mock scores.
In depth
Section 01
The official MSRA consists of two independently timed sections: 95 minutes for Professional Dilemmas and 75 minutes for Clinical Problem Solving. The optional break is five minutes, subject to published rules.
The exercise assesses concentration across two different kinds of decision-making. Rehearse the transition as well as the question types, but always follow official candidate instructions over a provider's simulation.
Commercial papers do not automatically mirror official item equating or standardised scoring. Use a local mock result to analyse your work, not to predict an official score or offer.
Section 02
For CPS, separate missing knowledge, missed lead-in, overlooked discriminating findings, tempting distractors and time-outs. For PD, add middle-ranking and incomplete-three errors.
If questions are wrong despite plenty of time, work on the underlying decision. If most unanswered questions occur at the end, investigate inefficient reading or revisiting answers.
When an independent rationale depends on facts absent from its stem, acknowledge the ambiguity instead of writing an overconfident universal rule.
Section 03
Immediately afterwards, note time spent, unanswered counts and two or three repeating themes. On the next study day, debrief the most instructive incorrect items with the closest distractor.
Several days later, attempt different questions testing the same judgement. This delayed transfer is stronger evidence of learning than recognising a repeated vignette.
Schedule review time before booking the next full mock. Multiple unanalysed papers can produce the illusion of progress without correction.
Section 04
The CPS average is about 52 seconds per item (75 minutes for 86). The PD average is 114 seconds per scenario (95 minutes for 50), but scenario length and ranking complexity vary.
These are arithmetic planning guides, not instructions to enforce uniform time per item. Practise monitoring broad progress without sacrificing the understanding needed for the task.
Because the official papers have no negative marking, avoid leaving accessible later items untouched because of one difficult question.
Original teaching exercise
A candidate completes every PD question, but their select-three answers often cover communication without follow-through. On a timed CPS mock, the last 12 items are unattempted despite good accuracy among those finished.
Mock results become useful when they identify a fixable behaviour and you retest it.
Hypothetical practice analysis; no official score conversion or performance prediction.
Preparation
Common mistakes
Free Mini MSRA Bank
240 CPS questions and 50 PD scenarios with explanations. A free account is required.
Full MSRA Bank — £29 once for four calendar months from purchase; no automatic renewal.
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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