GP Interview Questions UK: Training and Practice
What questions are asked in a GP interview?
Expect questions on why general practice, managing uncertainty, communication, consent and capacity, safeguarding, working with other professionals, managing your time and professional values. Every panel writes its own questions, so practise the themes, not word-for-word answers.
GP specialty training selection follows a published process set by the national recruitment office. It is based on the Multi-Specialty Recruitment Assessment (MSRA), which includes a clinical problem-solving paper and a professional dilemmas paper. Stages can change from year to year, so check the current applicant guidance.
How do you answer GP interview questions?
Show safe, patient-centred reasoning: gather information, consider risk, safety-net, involve the patient in decisions and know when to seek help. Avoid claiming certainty.
What do panels look for?
Insight, empathy, sound judgement, openness about limits, teamwork and commitment to general practice.
Practice questions with short model answers
These are original practice questions. Use your own experience, not these words.
1. Why do you want to be a GP?
Model answer: "I value continuity and treating people in the context of their lives. I enjoy broad problem solving and I like that GPs coordinate care. I have seen this on a placement and a practice attachment."
2. How do you manage uncertainty?
Model answer: "I gather a focused history, consider red flags, share my reasoning with the patient, safety-net with clear advice on when to return and arrange follow-up. I seek advice when unsure."
3. A patient with chest pain phones the surgery. What do you consider?
Model answer: "This needs urgent assessment. I would follow the practice's emergency protocol and national guidance, which may mean calling an ambulance, and I would not delay while collecting more information."
4. A baby has a bruise and has not yet started moving independently. What do you do?
Model answer: "This is a significant safeguarding concern. I would follow local safeguarding procedures and national guidance, discuss with a senior colleague the same day and make sure the infant is assessed urgently. I would record carefully."
5. A patient asks for antibiotics for a viral illness. How do you respond?
Model answer: "I would explore their concerns, explain why antibiotics would not help and could cause harm, offer self-care advice and safety-netting, and agree a plan."
6. How do you check capacity?
Model answer: "I presume capacity. For a specific decision I check whether they can understand, retain, weigh and communicate the decision, using the Mental Capacity Act in England and Wales."
7. A colleague seems to be struggling. What do you do?
Model answer: "Check in privately and kindly, offer support, and if patients could be affected or the concern continues, raise it through the appropriate route."
8. How would you work with other professionals such as pharmacists and physician associates?
Model answer: "Respect each role's scope, communicate clearly, and make sure supervision and accountability are understood. I would follow current national guidance on role scope."
9. Tell us about a time you made a mistake.
Use a real example. Cover what happened, how you told the patient and team, and what changed.
10. How do you cope with a heavy workload?
Model answer: "I prioritise, ask for help, take breaks, use supervision and look after my own wellbeing."
Quick facts
Check the current GP training application guide for stages, scoring and dates. Do not rely on older forums.
Clinical content here is general preparation. Follow current national guidance and your training.
Interview format varies. Your invitation should say what to expect.
The practice questions here are original, not leaked or official.
Healthcare Interview Prep is independent of the NHS.
This is general interview preparation, not clinical advice.
Practise GP questions
The General Practice question bank has 40 original practice questions with full model answers. The first 8 are free to read. The full bank is £4.99, one-off, with 12 months' access and no subscription.
Related guides:
Frequently asked questions
Is there an interview for GP training?
Selection stages are set by the national recruitment office and can change. Check the current guide.
Will I get clinical scenarios?
Often. Explain safe reasoning rather than reciting facts.
How long should my answers be?
About two minutes for most questions.
Healthcare Interview Prep is independent of the NHS and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to the NHS. This guide cannot promise any interview result.
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