Avoid These Mistakes When Using an MSRA Question Bank

The Multi-Speciality Recruitment Assessment (MSRA) is a make-or-break exam for speciality training in the UK. Thousands of candidates sit it every year, but not everyone uses their revision time wisely. One of the biggest pitfalls? Using a question bank the wrong way.

Simply buying a subscription and working through questions randomly won’t guarantee success. To score highly, you need to know how to use a question bank effectively — and avoid the mistakes that most candidates make.

❌ Mistake 1: Choosing a Generic MSRA Question Bank

Not all question banks are created equal. Many throw together generic SBAs without reflecting the real exam style. This leads to wasted time and frustration when the actual MSRA feels completely different.

👉 The fix: Choose a recall-based question bank. MediWord’s 3,400+ clinical questions are written directly from real exam recalls, ensuring your practice mirrors the test you’ll sit.

❌ Mistake 2: Ignoring the SJT Section

The Professional Dilemmas situational judgement test (SJT) section is often underestimated. Many candidates focus almost entirely on the clinical problem-solving (CPS) side, but here’s the reality:

• The SJT accounts for 50% of your MSRA score
• Small mistakes in judgment can drop you out of a training place
• Most banks don’t provide enough SJT test questions

👉 The fix: Prioritise the SJT. MediWord includes 650+ PD/SJT scenarios — more than any other MSRA question bank. Each is designed to reflect NHS-style dilemmas, helping you build confidence where it really counts.

❌ Mistake 3: Practising Without a Strategy

Some candidates treat MSRA practice questions bank like a box-ticking exercise — rushing through as many as possible. But without a framework for reasoning, you won’t improve.

👉 The fix: Use the SMART framework:

• Situation – define the scenario clearly
• Management options – what are the possible actions?
• Align with GMC guidance – check against professionalism standards
• Rank or choose the best response – prioritise safety, honesty, and fairness
• Time management – practise answering efficiently under pressure

MediWord integrates this framework into explanations, so you learn how to think strategically, not just memorise answers.

❌ Mistake 4: Skipping Full Mocks

Doing questions one by one is useful, but the MSRA is a timed exam under pressure. Without sitting mocks, many candidates underperform simply because they haven’t practised in exam conditions.

👉 The fix: Combine MSRA practice questions with full-length mocks. MediWord builds mocks around recall topics, letting you rehearse exam pacing and build stamina.

❌ Mistake 5: Not Reviewing Mistakes Properly

Blasting through questions without reviewing errors is a waste of effort. The value lies in understanding why you got it wrong and what the guidelines actually recommend.

👉 The fix: Always read the MSRA practice papers' explanations in detail. MediWord’s answers are fully aligned with NICE and GMC guidance, so every mistake becomes a learning opportunity.

Why MediWord Helps You Avoid These Pitfalls

Here’s how MediWord MSRA practice papers set you up for MSRA exam success:

• ✅ Recall-based clinical bank – 3,400+ exam-style questions built from recalls
• ✅ SJT priority – 650+ dilemmas, the largest SJT bank available
• ✅ SMART framework – structured reasoning for every scenario
• ✅ Mocks & feedback – practise in real exam conditions
• ✅ Guideline-aligned explanations – NICE & GMC backed reasoning

Final Thoughts

Using an MSRA question bank the wrong way is one of the biggest reasons candidates underperform. But by choosing a recall-based, SJT-focused, strategy-driven resource like MediWord, you give yourself a real advantage.

👉 Don’t just practise. Prepare smart with MediWord and master the MSRA with recall-based content, the biggest SJT bank, and proven frameworks for success.