What is the CST presentation station?

Part of the Portfolio station: you give a short pre-prepared presentation — around three minutes — followed by about two minutes of questioning. It may be on your own topic or a themed one circulated in advance.

What are you marked on in the presentation?

The structure and delivery of the presentation, the significance of what you present, your personal contribution, and your insight and reflection on it.

How do I prepare the presentation?

Build a tight, signposted structure that fits comfortably in three minutes, lead with why it matters, make your own contribution clear, and finish with honest reflection. Rehearse it to time, out loud, and prepare for follow-up questions.

The CST Presentation Station

The presentation opens the Portfolio station in the Core Surgical Training interview: a short pre-prepared talk of around three minutes, followed by roughly two minutes of questions on it.

How the station runs

You deliver your presentation to the panel, who listen without interrupting, then question you on it for a couple of minutes. The topic is either your own — often an achievement — or a set theme emailed out weeks beforehand. The questioning tests how well you understand and can reflect on what you presented.

What you are marked on

Structure and delivery — a clear, signposted talk delivered to time.
Significance — why the topic matters, and to whom.
Personal contribution — what you specifically did.
Insight and reflection — what you learned and would do differently.

Common themes

Themed prompts have included leadership in surgery, teamwork, communication, overcoming a challenge, and improving patient care — as well as an “achievement” presentation on a topic of your own choosing.

How to prepare

Write to three minutes and rehearse to the clock — most candidates over-run. Lead with the significance, make your contribution explicit, and build reflection into the ending. Prepare for the obvious follow-up questions. You can rehearse the presentation station with an AI panel on Reviva.

Frequently asked questions

What is the CST presentation station?: Part of the Portfolio station: you give a short pre-prepared presentation — around three minutes — followed by about two minutes of questioning. It may be on your own topic or a themed one circulated in advance.
What are you marked on in the presentation?: The structure and delivery of the presentation, the significance of what you present, your personal contribution, and your insight and reflection on it.
How do I prepare the presentation?: Build a tight, signposted structure that fits comfortably in three minutes, lead with why it matters, make your own contribution clear, and finish with honest reflection. Rehearse it to time, out loud, and prepare for follow-up questions.

Sources. Based on the Core Surgical Training selection format modelled by Reviva and the official HEE national recruitment guidance. Educational only — confirm the current format against the official national recruitment portal.