*Please note – an applicant information pack will be made available on the UKFPO website from early June, which is designed to provide you with all the material that you need to prepare for FP 2013. This will include the UKFPO Applicant Handbook, a practice SJT paper, video guides to the new FP application timeline and SJT and EPM, a research paper on the SJT, and updated FAQs.*

The BMA Medical Students Committee (BMA MSC) has represented medical student views on the ISFP Project Group since 2009, when the DH commissioned the research and development work. The ISFP Project Group team members have maintained strong links with the BMA MSC, attending committee meetings, and taking on board views and feedback, as detailed in the final reports of each stage of the project.

The UKFPO Medical Students Board has also contributed to consultations, and provided feedback throughout the project. The UKFPO Medical Students Board representatives were appointed Student Champions for the Parallel Recruitment Exercise, liaising with medical school staff, other applicants and the ISFP team, to ensure queries were addressed.

There were two student representatives (one BMA MSC rep, and one non-committee representative) on the EPM Task and Finish Group, who advised on and agreed the final framework in 2010.

A Facebook group and a discussion forum provided the opportunity for students and other interested members of the public to contribute their views to the Project Board to raise any queries and concerns, and to inform the final decisions.

What does this mean for me?

Students applying to the Foundation Programme in 2013 will be selected using the SJT and EPM, replacing the current system of ‘white space’ questions and academic quartiles. 
 
Situational Judgement Tests (SJT) - will 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, 2pm 
• Monday 7 January 2013, 10am

A third date in mid January 2013 will be available to applicants with extenuating circumstances. Reasonable adjustments for disabilities, long term and short term acute health conditions must be approved by the medical school (or UKFPO Eligibility Office).

The SJT is a machine markable test with two question formats (rank five possible responses in order and select the three most appropriate responses) taken in exam conditions, and consists of around 70 questions in two hours 20 minutes. A maximum of 50 points are available.

Educational Performance Measure - The EPM has replaced academic quartiles as a measure of clinical and non-clinical skills, knowledge and performance up to the point of application. The score is comprised of three elements;

• medical school performance in deciles; for which 34-43 points are available;
• additional degrees, which are worth up to 5 points;
• and academic achievements, for which up to 2 points are available

A maximum of 50 points are available.