Tip 1: Effective Time Management

The Key Feature Problem (KFP) examination is a time-sensitive assessment that requires careful pacing. As of 2024, the exam structure typically includes:

• 26 cases of equal scoring weight
• 3.5 hours total examination time
• Approximately 8 minutes per case, or 7 cases per hour

Key strategies for time management:

1. Use a watch or the exam room clock to track time consistently.
2. Allocate time evenly across all cases, avoiding spending too much time on difficult questions.
3. If stuck on a question, move on and return if time permits at the end.
4. Write answers in point form or brief notes rather than elaborate sentences to save time.
5. Practice timing during mock exams to develop a sense of pacing.

Time-saving techniques:

• Quickly scan each case to assess its complexity before diving in.
• Use abbreviations where appropriate, but ensure they are widely recognized medical abbreviations.
• Prioritize answering questions you’re confident about first.

Remember, leaving questions unanswered due to poor time management can significantly impact your overall score. It’s better to provide a brief answer for every question than to leave some completely blank.

Tip 2: Read the Entire Case Before Answering

Thoroughly reading the entire case before starting to answer is a critical strategy in the KFP exam. This approach provides several advantages:

1. Comprehensive Understanding: Gain a full picture of the patient’s situation and the progression of the case.
2. Clue Identification: Subsequent scenarios and questions often offer clues to earlier questions. This is particularly true for questions about investigations and management options.
3. Diagnostic Thinking: For questions with answer lists, reading ahead can trigger diagnostic thinking and provide cues to the diagnosis.
4. Prevent Misplaced Answers: Knowing the subsequent scenario and questions prevents writing answers for one question that are meant for a later question, which can result in losing marks for both.
5. Efficient Problem-Solving: Understanding the full case allows for more efficient problem-solving and decision-making.

Example: In a case about obesity management (e.g., Case 23 from the 2020 exam), reading the entire case first prevents offering bariatric surgery indications when asked about general obesity management strategies.Practical Application:

• Underline or highlight key information as you read through the case.
• Make mental notes of how later questions might relate to earlier ones.
• If allowed, jot down brief notes or keywords for each question to organize your thoughts before answering.

Tip 3: Adhere Strictly to the Requested Number of Answers

The KFP exam rigorously enforces rules regarding the number of answers candidates provide. Exceeding the specified number of responses, whether intentionally or not, results in zero marks for that question, even if some answers are correct. This easily avoidable mistake has been consistently highlighted in exam preparation materials since at least 2007.

Tip 4: Maximize Answer Selection When Appropriate

When selecting from a list of options, candidates should aim to choose the maximum number allowed, unless explicitly told otherwise. Strategies include:

• Eliminating obviously incorrect answers
• Making educated guesses from plausible options
• Selecting the maximum number of options allowed
• Being aware that there’s no penalty for wrong answers (no negative marking)
• Exception: When asked to “tick as many as appropriate,” be judicious in selection

Tip 5: Address the Specific Question Asked

A frequent issue arises from candidates misreading or misunderstanding questions. When uncertain, some write extensively about tangential topics they’re familiar with, wasting valuable time. It’s crucial to:

• Carefully read each question
• Answer precisely what’s asked
• Review your response to ensure it directly addresses the query
• Avoid discussing unrelated topics, even if you’re knowledgeable about them

Tip 6: Consider the Case Context in Your Answers

Many candidates overlook crucial details in case scenarios. To avoid this:

• Highlight key information in the scenario
• Consider the patient’s age, occupation, and social circumstances
• Ensure management plans are appropriate for the patient’s lifestyle
• Avoid generic advice that doesn’t fit the patient’s profile

Examples of context-appropriate answers:

• For a 65-year-old with newly diagnosed epilepsy, focus on relevant lifestyle modifications rather than extreme sports precautions.
• Consider age-appropriate hydration advice for pediatric patients.
• Tailor postpartum advice to the specific needs and timeline of the patient.
• Avoid recommending unnecessary tests that have recently been performed.

Tip 7: Avoid Redundant or Similar Answers

Candidates should strive for diversity in their responses, particularly when providing differential diagnoses or management plans. For instance, listing both “schizophrenia” and “schizophrenic disorder” as separate diagnoses wastes an opportunity to score points with a different diagnosis. Similarly, when outlining management plans, avoid repetition or excessive elaboration on a single aspect. For example, in a case involving severe acne, using four out of six management plans to detail facial cleansing alone is inefficient and limits the scope of the response.

Tip 8: Provide Comprehensive Diagnoses

It’s crucial to offer complete and specific diagnoses that encompass all relevant aspects of the patient’s condition. For example:

• Instead of simply writing “anaemia,” specify “iron deficiency anaemia secondary to menorrhagia from uterine fibroids.”
• In cases involving mental health, be precise. “Depression with psychosis” is correct, while “depression” alone may be insufficient if psychotic features are present.
• For common conditions like diabetes or acne, include the type or severity. “Type 1 diabetes mellitus” or “severe nodulocystic acne” are more appropriate than general terms.
• When interpreting investigations, provide full descriptions. For instance, “atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response” is more informative than simply “atrial fibrillation.”

Tip 9: Offer Detailed Management Plans

Vague or general management suggestions like “counsel, reassure, explain” are inadequate for the KFP exam. Instead:

• When recommending referrals or admissions, specify the type of specialist, urgency, mode of transport if necessary, and reasons for the referral.
• For medications, use generic names and provide complete information on dosage, route of administration, and duration of treatment when requested.
• For follow-up advice, indicate specific timeframes and outline red flags that would necessitate urgent presentation.

Tip 10: Use Universally Recognized Abbreviations

Only employ abbreviations that are widely accepted in the medical community. When using an abbreviation for the first time, write out the full term followed by the abbreviation in parentheses. Be cautious with ambiguous abbreviations that could have multiple meanings in different contexts.

Tip 11: Pay Attention to Spelling and Grammar

Correct spelling and grammar are crucial. Misspelled diagnoses may not receive marks. Poor English can make it difficult for examiners to understand responses, potentially resulting in lost points. Examples of problematic spellings include “zooster” for zoster or “meazlese” for measles.

Tip 12: Ensure Legibility and Appropriate Font Size

For handwritten exams, write legibly with a font size of at least 10. Avoid extremely small handwriting or writing entirely in capital letters, as these can be difficult to read. If using pencil, ensure the lead is dark enough and erase corrections completely. For online examinations, practice speed typing and adhere to the font size set by the examination software. Avoid typing in all capital letters, as this can be interpreted as shouting and may be off-putting to examiners. By implementing these detailed tips, candidates can significantly improve their performance on the KFP examination. Success in this exam requires a combination of comprehensive medical knowledge, strong clinical decision-making skills, and effective exam techniques. Regular practice and attention to these guidelines can help candidates present their knowledge clearly and effectively, increasing their chances of success.

 Take-home messages for passing the Key Feature Problem (KFP) examination:

1. Time Management: Efficiently allocate your time across all cases, aiming for approximately 8 minutes per case. Use brief, point-form notes to maximize efficiency.
2. Comprehensive Case Review: Read the entire case before answering any questions. This strategy can provide valuable context and prevent misplaced answers.
3. Answer Quantity Adherence: Strictly follow instructions regarding the number of answers requested. Providing more answers than asked can result in zero marks for that question.
4. Maximize Option Selection: When appropriate, select the maximum number of allowed options. Eliminate obviously incorrect choices and make educated guesses from plausible options.
5. Question-Specific Responses: Carefully read and address the specific question asked. Avoid discussing unrelated topics, even if you’re knowledgeable about them.
6. Contextual Answers: Consider the patient’s age, occupation, and circumstances when formulating your responses. Tailor your answers to fit the specific case context.
7. Avoid Redundancy: Provide diverse answers, especially for differential diagnoses or management plans. Repetitive or similar answers waste opportunities to score points.
8. Comprehensive Diagnoses: Offer complete and specific diagnoses that encompass all relevant aspects of the patient’s condition. Include type, severity, and underlying causes where applicable.
9. Detailed Management Plans: Provide specific, actionable management details. Include dosages, referral specifics, and follow-up instructions as appropriate.
10. Proper Abbreviation Use: Only use widely recognized medical abbreviations. When introducing an abbreviation, write out the full term followed by the abbreviation in parentheses.
11. Language Precision: Pay close attention to spelling and grammar. Misspelled diagnoses may not receive marks, and poor language can make your answers difficult to understand.
12. Legibility: Ensure your handwriting is clear and of adequate size (at least font size 10). For online exams, adhere to the specified font size and avoid writing in all capital letters.

By implementing these strategies, candidates can significantly improve their performance on the KFP examination, demonstrating both their medical knowledge and their ability to apply it effectively in clinical scenarios.

KFP examination, Key Feature Problem, clinical reasoning, time management, case review, answer selection, differential diagnoses, comprehensive diagnosis, management details, medical abbreviations, spelling and grammar, legible handwriting, exam techniques, postgraduate medical education, family medicine assessment, clinical decision-making skills, study groups, RACGP resources, knowledge improvement strategies.