Candidates applying for the 2022 Core Surgical Training interviews have to complete a set of self-assessment questions during their application. Candidates who are shortlisted will then have the opportunity to upload evidence to support their answers and these will be validated by members of the interview panel prior to your interview date. Your scores for these make up a significant proportion of your overall interview score. You have to provide evidence to support your answers for each question and can get referred to a probity panel if you are suspected of trying to mislead the interviewers.

The 2021 Self-Assessment Questions and their weighting are available via the links below as well as the 2021 Applicant Handbook. The Self-Assessment Questions change slightly every year so don’t rely on them being the same in future years.

The major changes in the Self-Assessment scoring in 2021 compared to previous years are summarised below. This can give an idea of where the focus of the scoring system is changing and might help predict what changes will occur in the future:

  • Commitment to specialty – now assessed only on the Self-Assessment questions (rather than at interview), clearer definitions for surgical case numbers required in logbook, courses to attend and length of taster week, 16 points on offer rather than 15
  • Prizes/awards – 8 points on offer rather than 5
  • Publications – down to 7 points rather than 8
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