Dr. Craig

Long. Difficult. Stressful. Think it's always going to be and every year it seems to get more and more competitive. I knew I had to smash the MSRA so did a lot of revision for it (more than most I would guess).

Walk us through your portfolio

Please note: updated portfolio requirements in the 2022-2023 application year mean that the points discussed in these case studies are out-of-date, however you might pick up some useful tips to get you some more points

I had the taster week and did a radiology audit after making connections during this. I'd consider this an essential and easy 2 points. I have a first class honours in my previous degree, can't really recommend this! If you're a graduate medic you may already have it, if not I'd try to get points in other ways. I have a PGCert in medical education. Paid for this in FY1 3k out of pocket but I like teaching and figured it would be useful for any speciality and career. Multiple audits/QIP be choosy about what you get involved with and always get proof (ie. A letter) after you've done it. One original research, not radiology related. Very difficult to get I would say this domain is the least completed by most candidates.

Did you receive your self-assessed score or did it change when it was verified?

I got my self-assessed score

How long did you prepare for the MSRA for?

I did a LOT of prep. I hadn't sat any tough exams since 4th year medschool and most of my clinical exposure was cancelled during final year due to covid so I felt very rusty. I started in October doing Passmed 100 questions per day. I did this consistently until December when I started increasing the numbers. This would take approx 1hr-1.5hrs. by the end of December when I had days off I would do 300/day but that might not take very long at all as by then I was very fast at them.

What resources did you use to prepare for the MSRA?

Passmed, MCQBank, Pastest (bought towards the end as I was bored). No courses. No flashcards. No books.

How did you find the exam on the day?

Fine. Most of the questions I knew the answer immediately due to my revision. Only 1 I had no idea at all. 5 were hardish and I may have got wrong. SJT is a roll of the dice as always.