SJT Preparation Tips
Your Roadmap To Success: Comprehensive GP Exam Guides and Quizzes!
The ICGP Situational Judgement Test (SJT) is a high-stakes assessment of your professional DNA. Success doesn’t come from memorizing facts, but from adopting the “GP Mindset.” Use this roadmap to transition from “educated guessing” to “expert selection” for the 2026 intake.
The Ethical Foundation
The SJT is effectively an “open-book” exam where the primary resource is the Medical Council’s Guide to Professional Conduct and Ethics.
The Golden Rule: Every correct answer aligns with the Council’s 8 domains of professional competence. If an action contradicts the Ethical Guide, it is almost certainly the lowest rank.
Real-World Observation: During ward placements, watch how senior clinicians handle consent, conflict, or clinical errors. Aligning your “test-taking brain” with real-world professional standards is the fastest way to improve your score.
Mastering the Question Logic
To beat the expert markers, you must use specific Mental Models for each question type:
1. Ranking Questions (1–5)
The “Elimination” Strategy: Don’t rank all five at once.
Identify the ‘Gold Standard’: Which action solves the problem while ensuring patient safety? (Rank 1).
Identify the ‘Red Flag’: Which action is passive, dishonest, or harmful? (Rank 5).
Fill the Middle: Place the remaining “practical but imperfect” steps in between.
2. Selection Questions (3 of 8)
The “AND” Test: The three options you choose must logically form a cohesive plan.
The Logic: If you can connect your three choices with the word “AND” (e.g., “I will do X, and Y, and Z”), and they work together without contradiction, you have found the winning combination.
The 5 Core Domains of the SJT
Every scenario tests one of these five pillars. When reading a prompt, identify the primary challenge:
| Domain | Focus Area |
| Patient Focus | Prioritizing patient safety and autonomy above all else. |
| Coping with Pressure | Remaining logical and calm during MDT conflict or busy clinics. |
| Effective Communication | Choosing direct, private, and empathetic dialogue over passive steps. |
| Professionalism | Acting with integrity, even when it is the more difficult path. |
| Teamwork | Supporting colleagues while maintaining professional accountability. |
High-Yield Preparation "Hacks"
Trust the Prompt: Only use the information provided. Avoid “what if” thinking (e.g., “What if the patient is confused?”)—if it isn’t in the text, it isn’t part of the logic.
Direct Resolution is King: In conflict scenarios, speaking to a colleague privately and directly almost always ranks higher than “reporting” them to a supervisor immediately.
Build Time Muscle: You have roughly 110 seconds per scenario. Practice under timed conditions to ensure you don’t rush the final (and equally weighted) questions.
Identify the Pilots: There are 8 unscored “pilot” questions. If you encounter a bizarre scenario, stay calm—it is likely an experimental question that won’t affect your grade.
