What is the SJT? Everything you need to know about the exam, structure, eligibility, application process, results and much more. Read on…

The SJT  is a crucial component of the selection process for doctors aspiring to enter General Practice training in Australia through the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and Australian College of Rural and remote medicine(ACRRM). This comprehensive examination assesses candidates’ knowledge, skills, and attributes required for a successful career in general practice.

Exam Structure and Content

✅ The SJT consists of two main formats:

1. Situational Judgement Test (SJT) Questions
   • 50 questions(yet to be announced- written or MCQs)
   • Designed to assess judgment in various scenarios
   • Topics include professionalism, medico-legal issues, and conflict management
   • Partial marks are possible

The exam lasts 2.5 hours, giving candidates ample time to complete all 70 questions.

1. All questions have equal weighting in the overall score.
2. For SJT questions, partial marks are possible. Candidates can gain partial credit for selecting some but not all of the correct options.
3. A few weeks after completing the SJT, candidates will receive an email with their score band.
4. The score report shows:
   • The candidate’s band allocation
   • How many candidates were in each band across states and pathways (rural and general)
5. The band allocation, along with factors like preferred regional training organization and available positions, determines whether a candidate progresses to the interview stage.
6. Higher bands (lower numbers) are more competitive, with Band 1 representing the top-performing candidates.

This scoring system allows for a relative ranking of candidates based on their performance compared to others who took the test. It’s designed to help identify top performers while also providing a fair assessment across a large pool of applicants.

Scoring and Results

SJT scores are reported in centiles, grouped into bands:

• Band 1: Top 1-10% of candidates
• Band 2: Top 11-20% of candidates
• Band 3: Top 21-30% of candidates, and so on

Candidates receive their scores via email a few weeks after the exam. The band allocation, along with factors such as preferred regional training organization and available positions, determines whether a candidate progresses to the interview stage.

Exam Preparation

To prepare effectively for the SJT, candidates should:

1. Focus on SJT questions: Practice with sample questions available on the RACGP website and other resources.
2. Review common emergencies: Study emergencies across various specialties that commonly present in general practice.
3. Utilize online resources: Use RACGP’s gplearning platform, which offers the Exam Support Online (ESO) program for practice questions and feedback
4. Understand the RACGP Curriculum: The exam is based on the competency indicators outlined in the RACGP Competency Profile 

To prepare effectively for the SJT, consider the following strategies:

1. Focus on Situational Judgement Test (SJT) questions:
   • Practice with sample SJT questions available on the RACGP website and other resources.
   • Review common scenarios involving professionalism, ethics, and communication skills.
   • When answering, ask yourself “What would a good doctor do?” before looking at the options.
2. Understand the RACGP Curriculum:
   • Familiarize yourself with the RACGP Competency Profile and Curriculum for Australian General Practice.
3. Practice time management:
   • Complete timed mock exams to get used to the 2.5-hour test duration.
   • Aim to spend about 2 minutes per question on average.
4. Review your internship and residency experiences:
   • The SJT questions often cover scenarios common in junior doctor roles.
5. Join study groups:
   • Collaborate with other candidates to discuss challenging scenarios and share knowledge.
6. Focus on patient safety and red flags:
   • Emphasize recognizing serious conditions and appropriate management in acute situations.
7. Maintain a balanced approach:
   • While preparation is important, remember that the SJT assesses skills and knowledge you’ve already developed during your medical training and early career experiences.

By following these strategies and dedicating time to consistent preparation, you can improve your performance on the SJT and increase your chances of success in the AGPT selection process.

Exam Logistics

• Cost: The SJT exam fee including assessment and eligibility is approx $650.
• Format: The exam is administered online.
• Booking: Candidates should book their SJT as soon as possible to secure their preferred time.
• Location: The exam can be taken in any state or territory, subject to availability.

Eligibility and Application

Only candidates who have applied for the Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) Program through the RACGP and been deemed eligible can sit the SJT. The AGPT application process typically opens in late March or early April each year and remains open for about five weeks.

To book the SJT, follow these steps:

1. Wait for eligibility confirmation: After applying for the Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) Program through the RACGP, you’ll receive an email confirming your eligibility to sit the SJT.
2. Pay the enrolment fee: The email from RACGP will include a link to pay the $725 enrolment fee by credit card

Key points to remember:

• Book as soon as possible after receiving the SJT invitation,book a time to take the test online.
• You can choose to take the test from any available location, including capital cities and major centers outside capitals
• If you don’t receive a confirmation email or your credit card isn’t charged, contact RACGP immediately at selection@racgp.org.au1.
• Late enrolments (within 7 business days of closure) incur a non-refundable $100 fee

If you need assistance, you can contact RACGP at becomeagp@racgp.org.au2.

If you miss the SJT enrolment deadline, you have the following options:

1. Late enrolment within 7 business days:
   • The RACGP accepts late enrolments if received within 7 business days of the enrolment closure.
   • You don’t need to demonstrate extenuating circumstances for this period.
   • A non-refundable late fee of AU$100 will be added to your enrolment invoice
2. Late enrolment between 7-10 business days:
   • Late enrolments may be accepted up to 10 business days after the closure of enrolments
   • To request a late enrolment during this period, email selection@racgp.org.au12.
3. After 10 business days:
   • No late enrolments will be accepted more than 10 business days after the closure of enrolments

Remember, it’s crucial to enroll as soon as possible after receiving your SJTinvitation, as venue capacity is strictly limited

Importance of SJT

The SJT is a critical step in the RACGP AGPT selection process. It helps assess candidates’ readiness for GP training and ensures they possess the necessary attributes for a successful career in general practice. A good performance on the SJT increases a candidate’s chances of progressing to the interview stage and ultimately securing a training position.

How does the SJT score affect my chances of getting into a preferred training organization?

The SJT score affects your chances of getting into a preferred training organization:

1. Scoring system:
   • The SJT is scored according to centiles, which are then grouped into bands.
   • Band 1 includes candidates who scored in the top 1-10% of the SJT exam.
   • Band 2 includes those in the top 11-20%, Band 3 in the top 21-30%, and so on.
2. Ranking and interview offers:
   • Your band allocation, along with your preferred regional training organization (RTO) and the number of available positions, determines whether you’ll be offered an interview.
   • Higher bands (lower numbers) are more competitive.
3. Example scenario:
   • If you scored in Band 4 with 20 other candidates, and there were 60 candidates in Bands 1, 2, and 3 combined, you would be 80th in line for interviews.
   • If your preferred RTO had 100 training spots, you would likely be offered an interview.
   • However, if 120 people ranked higher than you, you might miss out on an interview for your preferred RTO.
4. Regional competitiveness:
   • The most competitive locations are typically clustered around the eastern seaboard near South East Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria.
5. Progression to interviews:
   • A minimum score on the SJT is required to progress to the interview stage.
   • Your SJT score determines your ranking for interview offers.
6. Overall selection process:
   • The SJT score is one part of the selection process, which also includes the initial application and the interview stage.
   • The SJT written and SJT Interview contribute equally to your AGPT selection assessment score.

In summary, a higher SJT score (and thus a lower band number) increases your chances of being offered an interview with your preferred RTO, especially in more competitive regions. However, the final selection also depends on your performance in the interview stage and the number of available positions in your chosen RTO.

What is the average score required to secure an interview with a preferred RTO?

There isn’t a specific average score mentioned that guarantees an interview with a preferred Regional Training Organization (RTO). However, we can infer some key points about how SJT scores affect interview chances:

1. Scoring system:
   • SJT scores are reported in centiles and grouped into bands.
   • Band 1 includes candidates in the top 1-10%, Band 2 in the top 11-20%, and so on.
2. Ranking for interviews:
   • Your band allocation, along with your preferred RTO and available positions, determines whether you’ll be offered an interview.
   • Higher bands (lower numbers) are more competitive.
3. Example scenario:
   • If you scored in Band 4 with 20 other candidates, and there were 60 candidates in Bands 1, 2, and 3 combined, you would be 80th in line for interviews.
   • If your preferred RTO had 100 training spots, you would likely be offered an interview.
   • However, if 120 people ranked higher than you, you might miss out on an interview for your preferred RTO.
4. Competitive regions:
   • The most competitive locations are typically around the eastern seaboard near South East Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria.
5. GP Institute recommendation:
   • GP Institute suggests aiming for a score of 65% or higher on their practice exams to be well-prepared for the actual SJT.

While there’s no specific average score mentioned, it’s clear that scoring in a higher band (lower number) increases your chances of securing an interview with your preferred RTO. The exact score needed can vary depending on the competitiveness of your chosen RTO and the number of available positions.

How does the SJT written score affect the interview process?

The SJT written score affects the interview process for GP training:

1. Ranking for interviews:
   • Your SJT written score determines your ranking for interview offers.
   • A minimum score on theSJT written is required to progress to the interview stage.
2. Band allocation:
   • SJT scores are reported in centiles and grouped into bands.
   • Band 1 includes candidates who scored in the top 1-10%, Band 2 in the top 11-20%, and so on.
3. Interview offers:
   • Your band allocation, along with your preferred regional training organization (RTO) and the number of available positions, determines whether you’ll be offered an interview.
4. Example scenario:
   • If you scored in Band 4 with 20 other candidates, and there were 60 candidates in Bands 1, 2, and 3 combined, you would be 80th in line for interviews.
   • If your preferred RTO had 100 training spots, you would likely be offered an interview.
   • However, if 120 people ranked higher than you, you might miss out on an interview for your preferred RTO.
5. Regional competitiveness:
   • The most competitive locations are typically clustered around the eastern seaboard near South East Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria.
6. Interview format:
   • Successful candidates are invited to participate in SJT Interview with their preferred RTO.
   • The interviews consist of five common questions in a SJT interview format.
   • Some RTOs may ask up to three additional questions specific to their region.
7. Overall selection process:
   • The SJT written and interview contribute equally to your AGPT selection assessment score.

It’s important to note that while the SJT written score is crucial for progressing to the interview stage, the interview itself is an equally important part of the selection process. A strong performance in both the SJT written and the interview is necessary for securing a training position with your preferred RTO.

How does the SJT score influence the ranking for training spots?

 Here’s how the SJT score influences the ranking for training spots:

1. Scoring and ranking system:

• The SJT is scored according to centiles, which are then grouped into bands.
• Band 1 includes candidates who scored in the top 1-10% of the SJT exam.
• Band 2 includes those in the top 11-20%, Band 3 in the top 21-30%, and so on.

2. Minimum score requirement:

• A minimum score on the SJT is required to progress to the interview stage.

3. Ranking for interviews:

• Your band allocation, along with your preferred regional training organization (RTO) and the number of available positions, determines whether you’ll be offered an interview.
• Higher bands (lower numbers) are more competitive.

4. Example scenario:

• If you scored in Band 4 with 20 other candidates, and there were 60 candidates in Bands 1, 2, and 3 combined, you would be 80th in line for interviews.
• If your preferred RTO had 100 training spots, you would likely be offered an interview.
• However, if 120 people ranked higher than you, you might miss out on an interview for your preferred RTO.

5. Regional competitiveness:

• The most competitive locations are typically clustered around the eastern seaboard near South East Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria.

6. Overall selection process:

• The SJT written and Interview contribute equally to your AGPT selection assessment score.

In summary, a higher SJT score (and thus a lower band number) improves your ranking and increases your chances of being offered an interview with your preferred RTO, especially in more competitive regions. However, the final selection also depends on your performance in the interview stage and the number of available positions in your chosen RTO.

Additional Support

The RACGP offers support for candidates experiencing financial hardship, with alternative payment options available. Additionally, specific programs like the Yagila Wadamba program provide exam preparation and peer support at no cost for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates.In conclusion, the SJT exam is a comprehensive assessment tool designed to identify candidates with the potential to excel in general practice. By understanding its structure, preparing thoroughly, and utilizing available resources, aspiring GPs can maximize their chances of success in this crucial step towards their chosen career path.

How can GP Institute help you ace the SJT Exam Preparation comprehensively?

The SJT is a crucial step for doctors aspiring to enter General Practice training in Australia. GP Institute offers a comprehensive package designed specifically for SJT preparation, helping candidates maximize their chances of success.Key Features of GP Institute’s SJT Program:

1. Full-Length Mock Tests:
   • 20 full SJT mock tests
   • Each test includes 50 -60 Situational Judgement Test (SJT) questions
   • Closely mimics the actual SJT format
2. Extensive Question Bank:
   • Over 400 SJT questions for in-depth practice
   • Covers a wide range of scenarios to build critical thinking and decision-making skills
3. SJT Interview Preparation:
   • 1 full mock interview
   • On-demand practice options
   • Essential for the next stage of the selection process
4. Additional Learning Resources:
   • 10,000 flashcards for quick review and knowledge reinforcement
   • Introductory webinar to familiarize candidates with the exam structure and strategies
5. Flexible Access Options:
   • Choose from 6, 3, or 1 month access periods to suit individual preparation timelines
6. Competitive Pricing:
   • $499 for the full package, offering excellent value for comprehensive exam preparation
7. Future Benefits:
   • 10% discount on future RACGP and ACRRM Fellowship courses
   • $200 discount coupon for Full RACGP or ACRRM Fellowship course (for 6-month subscribers)
8. Success Guarantee:
   • GP Institute claims to guarantee selection if candidates score 70% in their mock tests

GP Institute’s SJT preparation program stands out for its comprehensive coverage of both the SJT written and interview components of the SJT. The inclusion of SJT interview preparation also gives candidates an edge for the entire selection process. With its extensive question bank, full-length mock tests, and additional resources, GP Institute provides a robust platform for doctors to thoroughly prepare for this critical exam in their journey towards becoming General Practitioners in Australia.

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners – Wikipedia

LIME Network – RACGP Overview

Health.gov.au – RACGP Contact Information