Anaesthetics CT1
Candidate-contributed guidance for CT1 Anaesthetics describes a clinical judgement station built around FY2-level scenarios with new information introduced as you go, assessing clinical judgement and decision-making, reflective practice and working under pressure rather than specialist anaesthetic knowledge, alongside a general interview focused on your portfolio, communication, teamwork and commitment to the specialty. Station names, timings and weightings vary between recruitment rounds, so confirm the format published for your own round.
Format based on published 2026 recruitment guidance. Last checked: September 2026. This is general information, not advice about your application — always confirm details with the official source for your round.
Structure
The stations, reproduced with real timings.
The simulator keeps to these durations and moves you on when the clock runs out.
Clinical judgement
FY2-level scenarios with additional information released during questioning. Assess systematically from A-E, prioritise, verbalise your use of the team, escalate early, and reflect on comparable cases from your own practice when challenged.
General and portfolio
Your career to date and how it prepares you for anaesthesia, structured concisely (for example CAMP: Clinical, Academic, Management, Personal), with reflection on communication, teamwork, commitment to the specialty and knowledge of training and national projects.
Weighting
Where the marks sit.
Practice is weighted the same way, so your time goes where it counts.
What candidates work on here
- A rehearsed A-E acute framework with verbalised teamworking: who cannulates, who orders investigations, who leads and who you would call
- The capacity scaffold for self-discharge scenarios: understand, retain, weigh, communicate, and best-interests thinking when capacity is lacking
- Your portfolio rehearsed against the marking domains: communication, teamworking, leadership and reflective practice, with one detailed QIP, teaching or research example
- Key reading: RCoA Stage 1 training structure, the National Audit Projects (NAPs) at awareness level, and current themes such as perioperative medicine, human factors, sustainability and enhanced recovery
Example questions
Original scenarios, written with clinicians.
Each question is mapped to the domains it assesses, so the summary you receive is specific rather than generic.
Clinical judgement
“A postoperative patient who has received several doses of morphine is difficult to wake, with a respiratory rate of 6 and saturations of 88%. How would you assess and manage this patient?”
A panel would listen for
A systematic approach, safe prioritisation and knowing when to escalate
General and portfolio
“Tell us about your career to date and how it has prepared you for anaesthetics training.”
A panel would listen for
Specific, honest reasons backed by your own evidence
Practise this interview until it feels routine.
One free mock interview, no card required. Scores describe your practice performance only.
Start a free mock interview