Preparing for the Multi-Specialty Recruitment Assessment (MSRA) can feel like juggling two exams at once - one testing your clinical reasoning, the other your professional judgement. Whether you’re aiming for General Practice, Psychiatry, Radiology, or another specialty, your MSRA score can have a major impact on your application outcome.
But effective preparation doesn’t mean endless late nights or frantic cramming. With a structured plan - and realistic, consistent study habits - you can make every revision session count.
Here’s how to revise for the MSRA with confidence, using three tailored study timetables for different timeframes: 3 months, 2 months, and 1 month before exam day.
Before you start: Know what you’re aiming for
Before diving into question banks and practice tests, take a moment to understand the exam itself.
The MSRA is divided into two papers:
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Professional Dilemmas (PD) - A situational judgement test assessing professionalism, integrity, empathy, and coping with pressure.
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Clinical Problem Solving (CPS) - A test of your clinical knowledge and reasoning at Foundation level, across core specialties.
Success comes from balancing both parts - refining your professional judgement and sharpening your clinical reasoning. Keep this in mind as you plan your study approach.
3-month MSRA revision plan
If you’ve got a full three months before the exam, then rest assured that you’re in a great position. This is the ideal timeframe to build a solid foundation, work through comprehensive practice material, and consolidate with full mock exams.
Month 1: Build understanding
Focus on learning the exam structure and developing a baseline of knowledge.
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Review the MSRA format, question types, and scoring system.
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Begin working through your question bank slowly and deliberately - aim for accuracy over speed.
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Revise core clinical topics: cardiovascular, respiratory, neurology, endocrine, renal, and gastrointestinal systems.
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For PD, familiarise yourself with GMC guidance and NHS values - these principles underpin most situational judgement scenarios.
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Set aside 1-2 hours per session, 4-5 times per week.
Month 2: Consolidate and apply
This is where you move from understanding to application.
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Increase your question volume - aim for timed practice sets of 40–60 questions.
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Start reviewing your performance data and flag weak areas.
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Begin alternating between PD and CPS sessions to balance both skillsets.
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Take your first full mock exam under timed conditions.
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Adjust your study plan based on results and confidence levels.
Month 3: Refine and simulate
The final month should feel like a full rehearsal.
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Focus on practice, speed, and exam endurance.
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Complete at least two full-length timed mock exams.
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Review explanations carefully and revisit key clinical areas.
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For PD, practice ranking questions by discussing rationales with peers or mentors - talking through decisions strengthens reasoning.
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Use your final two weeks for fine-tuning, not last-minute cramming.
2-month MSRA revision plan
If you’ve got two months, efficiency and focus are key. You’ll still have enough time to cover everything, but you’ll need to keep your schedule tight.
Weeks 1-2: Orientation & core topics
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Spend a few days understanding the exam format.
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Work through clinical topics systematically - start with your stronger areas to build confidence.
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Begin PD practice early - focusing on this area for 1–2 sessions per week.
Weeks 3-5: Mixed practice
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Alternate PD and CPS days to maintain balance.
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Start integrating full practice sets and time yourself.
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Use Pastest-style performance analytics to track improvement.
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Revisit feedback and read around your weaker clinical themes.
Weeks 6-8: Intensive practice & mock exams
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Complete at least two full mocks per week (one PD, one CPS).
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Simulate the full exam at least twice.
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Spend your final week revising notes and reviewing rationales for any consistently incorrect question types.
1-month MSRA revision plan
Let’s be real, one month isn’t a lot of time, but with focus and discipline, it’s still possible to achieve an excellent result. The aim here is targeted practice, not exhaustive revision and cramming, which will only lead to burnout.
Week 1: Foundation building
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Quickly review exam format and scoring so you get familiar with what you’re working with.
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Identify weak clinical systems and professional domains early so you know where to focus your time and efforts.
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Begin PD and CPS practice immediately - short, frequent sessions (1–1.5 hours daily).
Week 2-3: Intensive question practice
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Complete daily practice blocks under timed conditions so you become used to not having a great deal of time.
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Focus on learning from mistakes rather than chasing perfect scores.
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Incorporate at least one full mock exam per week.
Week 4: Final consolidation
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Revisit all flagged questions and notes.
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Do a final full-length mock 3-4 days before your real exam.
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Focus your last few sessions on keeping calm, confident, and consistent - your goal is accuracy and balance, not burnout.
The MSRA can seem daunting, but with the right structure, it’s entirely manageable. Whether you have three months or just one, consistency and strategy matter more than volume. Use every practice question to sharpen your reasoning, every mock to fine-tune your timing, and every week to build confidence.
Whatever your study method, make sure you’re as prepared as possible with Pastest’s MSRA revision resource! With us, you’ll gain access to the largest question bank on the market, expertly crafted questions, and comprehensive coverage of 300+ topics based on detailed exam analysis.
When you walk into your test centre, you won’t just be ready for an exam - you’ll be prepared to take the next big step in your medical career.