Preparing for Core Surgical Training Applications 2025?

The CST national selection process has changed significantly over the years, but most widely available resources have failed to adapt. Join the ThinkSmart community to gain access to our online courses, researched & curated by top ranking trainees & Registrars in the UK.

Audiovisual Learning

Freely pause, rewind, or re-watch our online video tutorials to suit your learning needs & busy schedule.

Online Community
For the first time, share ideas, collaborate and get exclusive advice through our trusted forum.

Expert Guidance
All of our resources have been developed by candidates who ranked in the top 1% nationally.
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Welcome to ThinkSmart CST

ThinkSmart CST is the first Artificial Intelligence (AI) generated video course platform for Core Surgical Training applicants. Watch our promotional video to learn more about what we offer.

Innovating in the Medical Education space.

The competition for Core Surgical Training (CST) posts is fiercely intense. Gain a competitive edge with our detailed, up-to-date, and cost-effective guidance. Harnessing AI technology, our on-demand courses empower you to learn at your own pace, saving you precious time, energy, and money!

Portfolio Videos 
In our Portfolio Series, we go through specific tips on how to improve your score, focusing on challenging topics such as Publishing, Teaching, Quality Improvement, & Leadership. All tips are based on the 2023 CST checklist.

Interview Videos
We developed our interview courses to give you a better understanding of the Pacing, Content, & Presentation Style required to score >90%. All of our model answers are succinct, with memorable buzzwords & mnemonics.

1 to 1 Sessions
With ThinkSmart+, you can also gain access to our personalised Portfolio Clinic & Interview Coaching sessions, all of which are led by trainees top 1% of trainees nationally. Places may be limited due to the bespoke nature of this service.

Free Resources
Finding all of the information for CST applications can be exhausting, so we've done all the hard work for you! Each course is supplemented with free online resources, including QI templates, Research project ideas, CCriSP & ATLS manual PDFs.

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Write your awesome label here.

Write your awesome label here.

Write your awesome label here.

Write your awesome label here.

The Complete Course Package

Our course library

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How are we different?

Although the surgical application process has changed significantly over the years, most readily available resources have largely remained the same.
Here are a few reasons why we're a cut above the rest.

Evidence Based Learning

Your brain processes audiovisual information 60,000x faster than written text. When it comes to interview practice, this approach to learning is a true game-changer. Our courses are designed to help you understand, remember, and achieve more than you would with conventional text-books.

Contemporary Resources

Wading through outdated texts and webpages can complicate an already challenging experience. We provide up-to-date resources that more accurately reflect the current CST application process to ensure that you stay ahead of the game at all times.

Affordable Courses

Interview preparation courses are expensive. Our mission is to widen access to surgery by providing affordable courses for all trainees. Using AI video generation technology, we are able to keep our production costs low, allowing us to deliver high-quality education for a fraction of the price.

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Our ideal students 

  • Anyone considering applying for Core Surgical Training 
  • Candidates who are tired of outdated interview textbooks  
  • Those eager to learn how to structure their answers  
  • Applicants who want affordable & reliable resources
  • Anyone looking for an open community to collaborate
  • Candidates who want to prepare at their own pace
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