Paediatrics Interview

Paediatrics training in the UK is a structured run-through postgraduate programme aimed at resident doctors to become consultants in paediatrics. Most trainees enter at Specialty Training Year 1 (ST1) through National Round 1, with posts typically starting in August or September. The training involves clinical experience, professional development, and examinations overseen by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH).

Paediatric training in the UK is currently 6-8 years after the first two foundation years. Core training (ST1-ST4) places a focus on general paediatrics in acute/inpatient/outpatient settings, including care of neonates.

During Specialty Training (ST5-ST7), paediatric trainees may choose to continue training general paediatrics, or specialise in one of the 17 paediatric sub-specialties.

Eligibility: Applicants must have no more than two years of paediatric experience (excluding Foundation Programme). Those with over two years of experience should apply to ST3.

Application Process: Applications are submitted via the Oriel during specific windows (e.g. usually October–November for the following years' entry). Applicants complete a form asking specific portfolio questions that allow your application to be scored and ranked, with the key domains:

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  Career motivation

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  Clinical experience

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  Transferable skills

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  Teaching and academic achievements

Scoring Categories:

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  Additional qualifications.

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  Transferable clinical skills and experience.

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  Quality improvement projects or audits.

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  Academic achievements.

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  Teaching experience.

A minimum application score is required to make it past the application stage and to be shortlisted for interview. The minimum score required varies from year to year.

The interview process for ST1 Paediatrics involves an online, two-station multi-scenario format conducted via the Qpercom platform. It evaluates candidates across four key domains.

Format:

Duration: The interview lasts approximately 45 minutes.

Structure: Two stations, each 20 minutes long. Four domains assessed, with two domains per station:

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  Communication Skills

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  Career Motivation

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  Reflective Practice

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  Paediatric Clinical Reasoning

Each domain lasts 10 minutes and is scored independently by two assessors.

Domains:

Communication Skills

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  A scenario involving communication with a role-player (e.g. patient, parent, or carer).

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  Assessed for clarity, empathy, and ability to explain clinical concepts or interventions effectively.

Career Motivation

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  Candidates discuss their enthusiasm for paediatrics, their career achievements, and how their attributes align with the specialty.

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  This is an opportunity to present a "virtual portfolio" highlighting key achievements.

Reflective Practice

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  Candidates reflect on a significant clinical event, discussing what they learned and how it influenced their professional development.

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  The focus is on reflective ability rather than just describing the event.

Paediatric Clinical Reasoning

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  A case-based discussion designed to test logical and structured problem-solving skills rather than advanced paediatric knowledge.

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  Scenarios are suitable for candidates at the level of Foundation Year 2 (FY2).

Scoring and Appointability:

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  Each domain is scored out of 40 marks, for a total of 160 marks.

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  A minimum of 88 marks is required to be deemed appointable.

Other details:

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  Interviews are conducted virtually, so candidates must ensure a stable internet connection and a distraction-free environment.

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  Before the interview, candidates are expected to demonstrate they are alone in the room with no electronic devices other than the one used for the interview.

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  Observers (e.g., lay representatives, RCPCH assessors) may attend but do not contribute to scoring.

For further information, refer to the detailed applicant guidance available on the RCPCH website.

We have worked with doctors who have scored highly in Paediatric ST1 applications to generate an extensive online interview question bank covering a range of scenarios that you may encounter on the day across each station.

Our question bank will give you plenty of opportunities to read model answers and to learn the structures and frameworks you need to navigate the tough questions you may face at interview.

We also spoke to top-performing doctors who have been through the interview process and asked them for any other preparation tips, and this is what they suggested:

Plan a strategy and leave plenty of time

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  You should approach an interview like preparing for an exam

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  Don't leave everything to the last minute

Buddy up with a friend or someone who has been through it and get them to do mock interviews

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  It's helpful to try to do this with someone more senior or someone you know less well, to replicate the anxiety you may face of having to perform at interview

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  Put yourself out there and be uncomfortable - it's okay to make mistakes when practising

Come up with solid structures and frameworks

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  It's useful to go through Quesmed's example videos and written content as it will allow you to see patterns in how best to approach any given question style

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  This will allow you to think on your feet if the question asked on the day is not the exact same one that you prepared

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  Remember, most questions can fit into a handful of well-known interview frameworks that are illustrated on our interview question bank

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  Practise these frameworks heavily so you can adapt them to any question thrown in your direction

Make a list of every possible question you could be asked and write the model answers down, personalised to you

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  Practise makes perfect - rehearse those answers until it's second nature

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  Remember to try and link your experiences and achievements back to why this may make you better at your chosen career path

Speak to those around you and learn from their experience of the interview

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  Sometimes, questions that you may have never thought would be asked have come up in the past

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  Learn from the mistakes that others have made around you

For more detailed guidance, visit the RCPCH website