Maximise your performance at the 2026 Ireland Core Surgical Training Interview

Core Surgical Training (CST) is one of the most competitive training programmes in Ireland. It provides essential early surgical experience across a range of specialties and hospital settings, forming the foundation for progression to Higher Surgical Training (HST).

With limited posts and a large number of applicants each year, standing out in your interview is crucial. You’ve worked hard to build your surgical experience and strengthen your portfolio; now the focus shifts to performing on interview day. To secure your preferred training post, you need to prepare for the interview with the same structure, discipline, and attention to detail that you’ve applied throughout your training so far.

So how do I prepare for my interview?

Effective preparation focuses on two areas: Knowledge and Delivery.

The Core Surgical Training interview is designed to assess your readiness to begin surgical training and your potential for a future consultant career. It explores a range of core attributes, including clinical judgement, interpersonal and communication skills, professional development, and suitability for a surgical career.

It’s not enough to have a strong portfolio or broad clinical experience; you’ll need to demonstrate that you can think clearly under pressure, communicate effectively, and show genuine insight into what a surgical career involves.

The interview is your opportunity to show why you’re ready for Core Surgical Training and to stand out as a capable, motivated future trainee.

This is where we come in…

The Medibuddy Online 2026 CST Interview Question Bank

We’ve created over 40 realistic scenarios designed to reflect the Core Surgical Training interview in Ireland, using the same trusted methods behind our highly-rated UK CST Question Bank. Each year, our team of successful trainees reviews and updates the content to align with the latest interview formats and expectations.

Our contributors have all secured highly competitive surgical training posts, and this question bank brings together their insight and experience to help you do the same. Everything is structured clearly and intuitively, so you can prepare effectively, anytime, anywhere.

What will I learn from the Core Surgical Training Interview Question Bank?

The 2026 CST interview assesses performance across key competency areas. Doing well depends on targeting a high score in each domain, including your opening presentation, clinical judgement, interpersonal skills, professional development, and suitability for specialty training. We’ve provided questions that mirror those seen in the real interview, allowing you to practice and refine your responses in each of these areas.

• Clinical Judgement
  • You’ll be assessed on how you approach structured clinical scenarios, demonstrating your ability to make safe, effective decisions under pressure.
• Interpersonal Skills
  • This section evaluates your communication, teamwork, and ability to handle conflict or crises within a clinical setting.
• Professional Development
  • Interviewers will look for evidence of ongoing growth, including research, audit, teaching, and attendance at courses or conferences.
• Suitability for Specialty Training
  • You’ll need to show motivation, understanding of surgical training, a strong work ethic, and the ability to manage time and stress effectively.
• Personal Presentation
  • This covers your medical and surgical experience, academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and the qualities that make you a strong candidate for surgical training.

Why have we done this?

Preparing for specialty interviews can feel overwhelming, especially when official guidance is limited. While advice from peers is helpful, it can sometimes be inconsistent or add extra pressure. That’s why our team of high-scoring trainees developed the Medibuddy Online CST Interview Question Bank, providing carefully curated practice questions to give you confidence and focus ahead of your interview.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the CST Question Bank for?

This question bank is designed for candidates applying to the Core Surgical Training programme in Ireland who want to approach their interview with confidence. It’s ideal for candidates aiming to perform strongly across all assessed areas, helping you refine your answers and feel fully prepared for each competency.

What is the CST interview format?

The CST interview includes five key areas: opening presentation, clinical judgement, interpersonal skills, professional development, and suitability for specialty training. Each area is assessed through targeted questions designed to evaluate your experience, knowledge, and readiness for surgical training, giving you the opportunity to demonstrate why you are a strong candidate.

What’s the best way to prepare for the CST interview?

The most effective way to get ready for the CST interview is by working through realistic, practice scenarios. Our question bank features over 40 carefully designed examples that mirror the interview, helping you refine your answers and showcase your capabilities as a future surgical trainee.