Worked examples

Eight practice questions, each with its own page and a step-by-step walkthrough. The walkthroughs show how to apply the method from this guide to a real question, one decision at a time.

Choose an example

Each example has its own page. If you’re new to PD, start with Example 1 for a ranking question and Example 3 for a choose-three question.

1. Example 1RankingA request to falsify an assessmentProfessional integrity · Hospital→
2. Example 2RankingA colleague’s unsafe workloadCoping with pressure · Hospital→
3. Example 3Choose threeYour own prescribing errorProfessional integrity · Hospital→
4. Example 4RankingA patient who needs language supportEmpathy and sensitivity · Hospital→
5. Example 5RankingYou become unwell during clinicCoping with pressure · General practice→
6. Example 6Choose threeAn angry relativeEmpathy and sensitivity · Hospital, out of hours→
7. Example 7RankingA colleague’s post shows patient detailsProfessional integrity · Social media→
8. Example 8Choose threeAsked to work beyond your competenceCoping with pressure · Hospital, night shift→

How each walkthrough works

Every example follows the same routine. Repeating it on each question should make it automatic by the time you sit the exam.

1. Try it first. Answer the question before you read anything else, and write one sentence explaining your top choice.
2. Read the scenario. Follow the routine from Reading a question: check the instruction, your role and who is affected, separate facts from assumptions, find the risk, then name the tension and write a one-sentence task.
3. Compare the options. For ranking questions, sort the options into good, acceptable and poor groups, then compare neighbours (Ranking actions). For choose-three questions, strike out clear flaws, then build a set of three and test it (Choosing three). Where two options are close, use Close options.
4. Check the answer. Then look at the fact that would change it, a version of the reasoning fast enough for exam conditions, and a lesson to take into your next question.

Each step starts with what to do and why. The notes underneath quote the exact words in the question that matter and explain what they tell you. On the website, the quoted words are highlighted in the question as you go.

These scenarios were written for this guide. Their suggested answers haven’t been validated and aren’t official MSRA keys. Use the official practice paper’s expert explanations as your reference.

Use what you’ve learned

For each example, note one useful distinction and when it applies. “Seek senior input when an unresolved cover problem requires coordination” transfers better than “registrar is always first”. Record your version in the review template.