For the full three-stage process end to end - what the SJT and CPST measure, worked examples of both SJT answer formats, how the score carries into shortlisting and final rank, the competition ratio in context, and what the assessment/interview stage involves - see SJT and CPST: the GP training entry test, explained.
ICGP
GP Training Entry Assessment (SJT & CPST)
The situational judgement test (SJT) and clinical problem-solving test (CPST) the Irish College of GPs uses to select applicants for GP training. Sat online in one proctored session, CPST straight after the SJT. This is the first of three stages; a further scenario-based assessment (or interview, in earlier cycles) and reference checks follow before places are offered in rank order.
2
Parts
16
Dates listed
Awarded by: ICGP
Cost: €150 non-refundable Application A fee for the 2027 intake (it was €100 for the 2026 intake) - separate from any prep resource costs
Who can sit it
Applicants must be eligible for the Irish Medical Council's Trainee Specialist Register (automatic routes cover Irish-trained interns, UK/NI graduates who have completed internship or FY1, and holders of a short list of named EU medical degrees) and meet HSE English-language competency requirements. Progressing past this test also requires a minimum of nine months' paid postgraduate acute hospital-based clinical experience as an intern or SHO, in posts of at least three months each (structured intern programmes excepted) - this is checked at the next application stage, not before the test itself. Two supervising-consultant references are required later in the process. Full criteria are set out in ICGP's Guide to Applicants and Person Specification for the relevant year; the 2027 versions of both were not yet published as of the last-verified date below.
When NCHDs sit it
During the annual GP Training application cycle: after Application A (registration for the SJT/CPST) and before Application B, references and the assessment/interview stage. Most applicants are current interns or SHOs, since the nine-month hospital-experience requirement is checked at the following stage rather than before the test.
The parts
Situational Judgement Test (SJT)
Approximately 45 scenarios depicting situations a hospital doctor might face. Two answer formats: rank five options 1-5 by appropriateness, or choose the three most appropriate options from a list of eight.
Assesses professionalism, empathy, integrity and coping under pressure; ICGP states it will not measure clinical knowledge. Sat first, before the CPST, in the same online session. Format figures are from the 2026 intake's Guide to Applicants, the most recent one ICGP has published in full; the 2027 Guide to Applicants was not yet published as of the last-verified date below.
Clinical Problem-Solving Test (CPST)
Approximately 50 single-best-answer questions on common clinical presentations a recently qualified doctor might encounter in a hospital setting. · Approximately 60 minutes
Sat immediately after the SJT, with an optional break between the two. Uses a criterion-referenced pass mark (the Ebel method); ICGP states applicants who do not meet it are not shortlisted, regardless of overall score.
Dates
- 7 Oct 2026Apply byApplication A closes (2027 intake)
- 4 Nov 2026SittingSJT & CPST test window, 4-5 Nov 2026 (2027 intake)
- 20 Nov 2026Apply byApplication B opens; references open (2027 intake)
- 4 Dec 2026Apply byApplication B closes (2027 intake)
- 4 Jan 2027Apply byReferences due (2027 intake)
- 2 Feb 2027InterviewScenario-Based Competency Assessment, 2-4 Feb 2027 (2027 intake)
- 8 Feb 2027Apply byScheme preference selection opens (2027 intake)
- 15 Feb 2027Apply byScheme preference selection closes (2027 intake)
- 26 Feb 2027ResultsFirst-round offers open (2027 intake)
7 past dates
- 13 Oct 2025Apply byApplication A closed (2026 intake)
- 16 Oct 2025Apply byPre-test check window closed, 14-16 Oct 2025 (2026 intake)
- 22 Oct 2025SittingSJT & CPST test day (2026 intake)
- 24 Nov 2025Apply byApplication B closed (2026 intake)
- 10 Feb 2026InterviewInterviews, 10-12 Feb 2026 (2026 intake)
- 26 Feb 2026ResultsFirst-round offers (2026 intake)
- 7 Sept 2026Apply byApplication A opens (2027 intake)
Needed for
Preparation resources
Resources for each exam part, with access details, costs and suggested priorities.
S
ICGP's own worked examples of both SJT answer formats (rank five options 1-5; choose three from eight), with correct answers shown. The only sample material guaranteed to match the real format, because it comes from the test-setter itself.
ICGP's own worked CPST example with the correct answer shown. Free, and from the same source that writes the real test.
The official guide covers dates, fees, eligibility, shortlisting and test format. The 2027 edition of this guide was not yet published as of last_verified below; the 2027 cycle's key dates and fee are confirmed separately on ICGP's Recruitment Process page.
A
The vendor advertises 1,200+ SJT and CPST questions with explanations. GPQuestPro also advertises this product as eligible for 'Refund Via TSS Scheme'; check the training-funds guide for which expenses TSS covers before assuming that.
- Ireland GP Prep - Pro Plan 3 (SJT + CPST bundle)Question bank€69.99 / 3 months (also sold at €49.99 / 1 month or €89.99 / 6 months)SJT, CPST
4,576 questions/materials across both modules, with timed simulators (60-min CPST, 84-min SJT) and an analytics dashboard - one subscription covers both parts, unlike GPQuestPro's separately-priced products. The vendor advertises '3,500+ Pro Members' and a '4.9/5 Rating' on its homepage; both are the vendor's own self-reported figures, not independently verified.
B
Two timed full-length mock papers - useful once for a realistic timed run-through close to the test, not a substitute for a full question bank. Also advertised by the vendor as 'Refund Via TSS Scheme' eligible; see the training-funds guide before assuming that.
C
- Ireland GP Prep - single-module plan (CPST-only or SJT-only)Question bankCPST only: €18.99 / 1 month; SJT only: €22.99 / 1 month
Only worth it if you specifically need one part topped up - since the real test always includes both SJT and CPST together, the bundle (Pro Plan 3 above) covers more for a similar total price. The vendor also markets its SJT-only plan as including 'official marking models'; ICGP does not publish its internal marking scheme beyond the two sample-answer PDFs above, so treat that specific claim as the vendor's own description, not confirmed.
Not for the SJT/CPST test - this is for the later scenario-based assessment/interview stage. Roleplay practice and an IMC ethical-guide walkthrough. Listed here because vendors bundle it with SJT/CPST products under one headline price (GPQuestPro's three products together run to €280). GPQuestPro advertises this course as 'Refund Via TSS Scheme' eligible, but the HSE's TSS policy explicitly excludes interview-preparation courses from reimbursement - that specific claim does not hold up.
Tiers are editorial: S = essential and closely mapped to the exam, A = strong, B = useful supplement, C = optional. No affiliate links; prices are indicative and change.
Preparing
Last verified 2026-08-22. Sources: ICGP GP Trainee Recruitment 2026 Guide to Applicants (https://www.irishcollegeofgps.ie/Portals/0/Training%20and%20Assessment/Be%20a%20GP/Trainee%20Recruitment%202026%20Guide%20to%20Applicants%20(2).pdf); ICGP 2027 Recruitment Process key dates (https://www.irishcollegeofgps.ie/Home/Training-Assessment/Be-a-GP/GP-Trainee-Recruitment/2027-Recruitment-Process); ICGP GP Training Selection Terms & Conditions 2027 (https://www.irishcollegeofgps.ie/Portals/0/adam/LongformContent/RrqmSp5chUG8QTbCKTAhug/Document/Terms%20and%20Conditions%202027%20.pdf)