Clinical Examination

Overview 

The Clinical Examination (CE) is a practical exam that assesses clinical application of basic sciences, as well as technical and non-technical competencies. It’s an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) consisting of 16 five-minute stations designed to test your applied knowledge of the clinical conditions and scenarios you may encounter as a junior doctor working in a hospital.

Four station types assess physical examination, communication skills, history taking and procedural skills.

Important Update:

With the withdrawal of the CE as a requirement for SET applications across all specialties, the decision has been made to cease offering the examination. Convening an examination in June would no longer provide any benefit for candidates, as it will not contribute to SET applications in 2027 for the 2028 intake. It is not our intention to disadvantage candidates by proceeding with an examination under these circumstances. We appreciate your understanding as we transition away from the CE and remain committed to supporting candidates throughout their surgical training journey.

We understand this update may impact your planning, and we appreciate your understanding as these changes are implemented to ensure alignment with the revised training framework.

Should you require further information regarding your training requirements, please contact your respective Specialty Training Boards and Committees