Portfolio Methodology
MedNext Portfolio is built around four principles: evidence that maps to criteria, scoring that mirrors the assessor framework, validation that catches errors early, and export that is submission-ready on day one.
The Four-Step Process
Find Your Specialty
Browse all 82 UK specialty training routes. Each specialty page shows the exact scoring criteria used in that application cycle, eligibility requirements, required forms, and official source documents — so you know precisely what is assessed before you start collecting evidence.
Collect Your Evidence
Work through structured evidence checklists for each criterion. Upload documents, add references, and annotate your evidence. MedNext Portfolio validates each item against the specialty's evidence rules — catching common errors before submission.
Self-Assess Your Score
Score yourself against the official criteria using the same framework assessors use. MedNext surfaces your total score, section scores, and a gap analysis showing which criteria to prioritise to maximise your application.
Export and Submit
Generate your Oriel-ready PDF. MedNext orders and formats your portfolio to submission requirements — title page, index, evidence sections — so you can upload directly on application day without last-minute reformatting.
Evidence Workflow
Evidence collection is the most time-consuming part of any specialty training application. MedNext structures this work so nothing is missed and everything is organised before deadline pressure hits.
Criterion-level evidence mapping
Every piece of evidence is linked to the specific criterion it supports. This means no guesswork about what goes where, and your portfolio structure mirrors the assessor's score sheet.
Validation against specialty rules
Each specialty defines evidence validation rules (date ranges, minimum quantities, acceptable document types). MedNext checks your uploads against these rules automatically and flags issues before you finalise.
Named course requirements
Some specialties require named courses (e.g., ALS, ATLS, MRCP Part 1) with specific validity windows. MedNext tracks these separately with expiry warnings.
Source document traceability
Every scoring criterion is traced back to its official source document (person specification, application guidance, deanery brief). You can always verify that MedNext's criteria match the authoritative source.
Scoring Methodology
Self-assessment scoring in MedNext mirrors the structure of the official assessor score sheet. The goal is not to predict your shortlisting score — it is to give you a structured, repeatable way to review your own portfolio before submission.
Criterion-level scoring
Each criterion has a defined point range. MedNext shows the maximum available points per criterion, per section, and overall. You assign yourself a score with supporting evidence, and MedNext displays your running total against the maximum.
Benchmark ranges
Where available, MedNext shows historical shortlisting thresholds and benchmark score distributions. These are estimates based on published data — not guarantees — but they help you understand where the competitive zone sits.
Gap analysis
MedNext identifies your lowest-scoring criteria relative to their weight and highlights which areas offer the most points-per-effort improvement. This helps you prioritise training and evidence collection in the months before an application.
Self-assessment vs. assessor scoring
Self-assessment is inherently subjective. MedNext does not inflate or adjust your score — it reflects what you enter. The value is in using the same framework consistently across the full portfolio, so your self-assessment is structured, reproducible, and ready to cross-reference against referee or supervisor feedback.
Self-Assessment Process
Self-assessment works best when it is done systematically — not as a last-minute check, but as an ongoing review throughout the months before an application opens. MedNext structures this in three phases:
- 1Baseline assessment (6–12 months before deadline)
Score your current portfolio honestly against every criterion. This baseline reveals your weakest areas and gives you a clear development target with time to act.
- 2Mid-cycle review (3–4 months before deadline)
Re-score after collecting additional evidence and completing targeted training. Compare to your baseline to track progress and confirm you are on track.
- 3Final review (2–4 weeks before submission)
Lock your scores, validate all evidence against the specialty rules, and generate your Oriel export. Allow time to have a senior colleague review the portfolio before uploading.
Oriel Export Process
Oriel has specific submission requirements: file size limits, ordering conventions, title pages, and index pages. MedNext automates the formatting so you do not spend the night before the deadline reformatting PDFs.
Correct ordering
Evidence sections are ordered to match the specialty's scoring framework, not alphabetically or by upload date.
Title and index pages
Generated automatically using your application details. No manual formatting required.
File size compliance
MedNext checks the final PDF against the specialty's file size cap and warns if compression is needed.
Ready to Get Started?
Browse all 82 specialties for free. Find your specialty, understand the criteria, and start planning your portfolio.