Situational Judgement Tests (SJTs) are a test of aptitude and are designed to assess the professional attributes expected of a Foundation doctor. There are two question formats:

1. Rank five possible responses in the most appropriate order
2. Select the three most appropriate responses for the situation

The SJT assesses a number of different attributes, which were identified during a job analysis of the FY1 role. The attributes form the basis of the SJT items, which are written by subject matter experts who work closely with Foundation doctors. This ensures that the scenarios presented are an accurate reflection of what FY1s encounter in their role. The items are then reviewed by other subject experts including FY1 and FY2 doctors, to ensure they are both realistic and fair.

Different scenarios lend themselves to different response formats so using two different formats allows a range of situations to be tested. 

Students must answer what they ‘should’ do in the scenario described, not what they ‘would’ do. This is because research into SJT shows that questions asking a candidate what they ‘would’ do are more susceptible to coaching.

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR FP 2012/FP 2013 APPLICANTS

If you are applying to FP 2012

Applications through FPAS will be completed as normal. Additionally, a national Parallel Recruitment Exercise (PRE) will run concurrently to ensure that the new selection methods can be consistently and robustly applied for selection to FP 2013. 

As an FP 2012 applicant taking part in the PRE, you will have the opportunity to influence the new methods of assessment. In addition to sitting the ‘white space’ questions, you will be required to take a shortened form of the SJT, lasting for one hour and consisting of 30 questions. You will then be able to give feedback on the test.

If you are applying to FP 2013

SJTs will fully replace the current system of ‘white space’ application form questions as a measure of meeting the national person specification. All applicants to the Foundation Programme, including to the Academic Foundation Programmes, will be expected to take the SJT in the UK on either:

• Friday 7 December 2012
• Monday 7 January 2013