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Medical Physicist UK

Prepare without breaching the rules

How should you prepare for a medical physics STP interview?

Prepare your reasoning, science explanations and genuine examples before the interview. Under the 2026 NSHCS rules, candidates could not bring or make notes unless a reasonable adjustment had been approved in advance, and could not use AI or record the interview.

Know your evidenceBe able to explain what you did, why it mattered and what you learned without reading from prompts.
Explain science clearlyMove from a plain clinical explanation to technical detail when the question requires it.
Practise judgementWork through safety, uncertainty, teamwork, leadership and values scenarios aloud.

What did the 2026 interview involve?

The NSHCS said a direct-entry interview could last up to 50 minutes. Question areas covered general science, specialist science, and leadership, values and behaviours, with roughly four minutes available for each question.

What were the 2026 conduct rules?

  • Be alone for the interview
  • Be ready to rotate the camera so the room can be checked
  • Do not bring or refer to notes unless a reasonable adjustment was approved in advance
  • Do not make notes during the interview unless that adjustment permits it
  • Do not use AI or other technology to help answer
  • Do not record the interview

How can you rehearse effectively?

  • Answer aloud under a short time limit
  • Explain the patient or service consequence before adding detail
  • State assumptions and uncertainty
  • Use one genuine example rather than a list of claims
  • Ask a mock interviewer to challenge one part of your reasoning
  • Review the official person specification and your own application

Are the practice questions on this site official?

No. Every practice prompt on this site is independently written. It is not an official NSHCS question and is not presented as a recalled interview question.

Use independently written practice prompts

Practise the skill, not a script

Can you explain your reasoning without prompts?

Use independently written questions for spoken practice, then check the official rules again when your interview is confirmed.

Open practice questionsReview my application evidenceThe planner is for preparation only. Do not take it into a 2026-style interview unless an approved reasonable adjustment permits notes.
Sources and review date