Dr Kola Tytler (MBBS CertHE MBA MRCGP)|21 April 2026|7 min read
The MSRA resource market has expanded significantly. What was once a two-horse race between PassMedicine and Emedica now includes seven additional platforms — each with different strengths, pricing models, and approaches to learning. This guide compares all nine, with practical guidance on which to use and when.
The Nine Platforms
1. PassMedicine — The Volume and Value Leader
PassMedicine remains the default choice for most MSRA candidates. It offers approximately 3,000 CPS questions and 300 Professional Dilemma questions, with an integrated Knowledge Tutor textbook and community comment threads that are a learning resource in themselves. Pricing is typically £20–35 for the MSRA module, making it the best value-per-question in the market.
Strengths: unbeatable volume at a low price. The comment threads contain mnemonics, debate, and clinical pearls from thousands of previous candidates. The Knowledge Tutor textbook is a genuine revision resource, not just question explanations.
Limitations: no adaptive learning. The platform does not adjust to your performance. You direct your own revision. The interface is functional but dated compared to newer competitors.
Compare PassMedicine vs iatroX | Compare PassMedicine vs Emedica
2. Emedica — The Exam-Representative Gold Standard
Emedica's reputation rests on the quality and representativeness of its questions, not their quantity. With approximately 2,380 MSRA questions, it is smaller than PassMedicine — but candidates who have sat the real MSRA consistently report that Emedica's questions feel the most like the actual exam.
Emedica's Professional Dilemmas content is frequently cited by candidates who score 600 and above as the single most valuable SJT resource. It also offers in-person and online crammer courses.
Strengths: exam representativeness. Questions are often harder than the real exam, which builds resilience. SJT content is best-in-class.
Limitations: smaller bank. Higher price point than PassMedicine. Questions can feel discouraging if you start with Emedica before building foundational knowledge.
Compare Emedica vs Revise MSRA | Compare Emedica vs Pass the MSRA
3. Revise MSRA — The Dedicated Platform
Revise MSRA is purpose-built for the MSRA. Every feature — 3,000+ questions, a comprehensive revision notes library, 250 Professional Dilemmas questions, mock papers based on previous exam content — is optimised for one exam. It is trusted by more than 15,000 doctors annually and bundles free access to Anaestheasier and a Notion-based revision dashboard.
Strengths: MSRA-specific depth. The revision notes library provides curriculum coverage beyond what question explanations alone can offer. The extras (Notion dashboard, Anaestheasier) add genuine value.
Limitations: MSRA only. If you also need AKT, MRCP, or other exam preparation, you will need separate resources.
Compare Revise MSRA vs iatroX | Compare Revise MSRA vs PassMedicine
4. Pass the MSRA — The Content-Rich Course
Pass the MSRA takes a different approach: it is a structured course rather than just a Q-bank. It offers 8,800+ items across SBA, EMQ, Anki-style flashcards (22,500), and rapid quizzes, plus 1,100+ structured revision notes organised by specialty and 20 full mock papers. Its SJT resources are the most comprehensive in the market: a dedicated SJT Q-bank, a free 100-page SJT textbook, a YouTube channel, and a Spotify podcast.
Pricing is £30 per month, £60 for three months, or £90 for six months, with a 10% discount code available.
Strengths: format diversity. The combination of notes, flashcards, quizzes, and mock exams provides multiple entry points for learning. SJT multimedia resources are unmatched.
Limitations: the headline number (8,800+) includes flashcards and rapid quizzes, not all exam-style questions. It is also MSRA-only and priced higher than PassMedicine.
Compare Pass the MSRA vs iatroX | Compare Pass the MSRA vs Emedica
5. Medibuddy — The Adaptive Volume Challenger
Medibuddy claims the largest dedicated MSRA bank at 4,000+ questions, with machine learning-driven adaptive question selection. It also publishes comprehensive MSRA exam guides that rank prominently in search, making it often the first resource candidates encounter when researching the MSRA.
Strengths: question volume (4,000+ is the largest single-exam MSRA bank). The adaptive claim, if validated, means more efficient revision. Comprehensive published guides provide good preparatory reading.
Limitations: newer platform with a shorter track record than PassMedicine or Emedica. The adaptive learning claim is difficult to independently verify.
Compare Medibuddy vs iatroX | Compare Medibuddy vs Emedica
6. Pastest — The Premium Publisher
Pastest brings decades of medical exam publishing experience to the MSRA. Its MSRA module offers a large bank covering 300+ topics, tailored past papers reflecting recent exam themes, an AI tutor for question clarification, and video and podcast content. Available with 3, 6, or 12 months access.
Strengths: institutional brand trust. Multimedia content. AI tutor is a genuine differentiator for candidates who want immediate clarification on confusing explanations.
Limitations: premium pricing. MSRA is one module within a much broader platform — the depth of MSRA-specific focus is less than dedicated platforms like Revise MSRA.
Compare Pastest vs Revise MSRA | Compare Pastest vs Medibuddy
7. Quesmed — The All-in-One Revision Hub
Quesmed's MSRA module sits within a broader platform covering UKMLA, MRCP, MSRA, and UCAT. Its strength is the integrated knowledge library (notes linked to each question), spaced repetition daily feeds, flashcards, and a polished mobile app with offline support. Pricing starts from approximately £14.99 per month.
Strengths: cross-exam efficiency. One subscription covers MSRA alongside UKMLA and MRCP. The knowledge library and app experience are among the best in the market.
Limitations: MSRA is not the headline product. The MSRA-specific question volume may be lower than dedicated platforms.
Compare Quesmed vs Revise MSRA | Compare Quesmed vs Medibuddy
8. Meditest Revise — The Adaptive Newcomer
Meditest Revise is a newer, smaller platform covering MSRA and UKMLA. It positions itself on time efficiency, claiming adaptive learning with targeted repetition and concise clinical-style questions.
Strengths: adaptive approach and concise question format. Covers both MSRA and UKMLA.
Limitations: smaller bank than all other platforms listed here. Shorter track record. Limited supplementary content (no revision notes, flashcards, or mock papers).
Compare Meditest Revise vs iatroX | Compare Meditest Revise vs PassMedicine
9. iatroX — The Free Adaptive Option
iatroX offers a free MSRA Q-bank with AI-powered adaptive learning — meaning the platform selects questions based on your demonstrated weak areas and uses spaced repetition to schedule reviews at optimal intervals. It is the only MSRA resource that is both free and adaptive.
Beyond the MSRA, the same free account covers the MRCGP AKT, MRCP, PLAB, UKMLA, MRCEM, PSA, and PANE. Specialist diploma banks (DRCOG, DFSRH, DGM, DipIMC, FFICM, DTM&H) are available for £99 per year. The platform also includes clinical AI for instant guideline retrieval, clinical calculators, and CPD reflection tools — all within a UKCA-marked, MHRA-registered medical device.
Strengths: free. AI-adaptive. Covers the entire GP trainee exam journey (MSRA → AKT → specialist diplomas). Clinical AI integration lets you explore the guideline behind a wrong answer in seconds.
Limitations: newer MSRA bank. The total question count is growing but is currently smaller than PassMedicine, Revise MSRA, or Medibuddy. No community comment threads.
How to Choose
If you can only afford one paid resource and are preparing for the MSRA alone, PassMedicine offers the best volume-to-value ratio. Supplement with the free iatroX MSRA bank for adaptive weak-area drilling.
If you want the most exam-representative experience, add Emedica for the final 4–6 weeks — especially for SJT preparation.
If you prefer structured learning rather than a raw Q-bank, Pass the MSRA's course format with flashcards, notes, and multimedia SJT resources is the best option.
If you are preparing for MSRA and AKT simultaneously, Quesmed or iatroX cover both in one platform — Quesmed as a paid all-in-one, iatroX as a free adaptive tool.
If you want the maximum possible questions, Medibuddy's 4,000+ bank offers the most volume.
The Optimal Stack for Most Candidates
The strongest approach uses three layers.
First, a knowledge-building Q-bank for broad coverage: PassMedicine (best value) or Medibuddy (most questions).
Second, a targeted resource for SJT: Emedica (best-in-class) or Pass the MSRA (most comprehensive SJT multimedia).
Third, an adaptive tool for weak-area drilling: iatroX (free, AI-adaptive, spaced repetition).
This three-layer approach covers breadth, exam simulation, and targeted weakness work — the three pillars of effective MSRA preparation.
Information based on public sources as of 21 April 2026. Trademarks belong to their owners.