AKT Going For Gold

1. AKT � Going For Gold

2. Website Resources All the resources are on the VTS website: ST3 section MRCGP Page

3. It�s only an exam... The AKT is a licensing exam You have 200 questions to prove to me (RCGP) that you have the breadth and depth of knowledge required to be a safe UK GP That means enough to treat me and my family.... Take it seriously Requires more knowledge than medical finals How much cramming did you do for finals? The next sitting is only 86 days away....

4. AKT � The Exam The AKT is designed to test the application of knowledge and interpretation of information Three hour, 200 item multiple-choice test 80% clinical management 10% critical appraisal of EBM 10% administration & management Do read the information on the RCGP website, including the presentations Do look at the information on the VTS website Do form study groups

5. AKT � The Basics There are three more sittings before the end of your training You are allowed to sit them all (NOT restricted to 4 sittings) Pass rate is about 75% ST2 77% of first-time takers ST3 81% of first-time takers 94% have passed by 3rd attempt in ST3.

6. How Do Our ST2s Perform? Not so well�. Only taken by small numbers Pass-rates 25-50% Low scores across all 3 areas Clinical Management best �predictor� (80% of marks) No-one passed who failed CM No-one failed who passed CM Suggestion: If you are getting very low CM scores on test-papers (under 60%) then you are not ready

7. Topics for Today Exam Technique General Preparation Tips Tips for Administration & Management Tips for EBM & statistics Tips for Clinical Management - Organising learning sets

8. Exam Technique Demonstration module - how the Pearson-VUE system works Use the cover test: - cover the answers. If your 1st thought is on the list, likely it is correct Mark answer spot carefully Time management is vital - watch the countdown clock on the computer - average of 54 seconds per question Skip difficult questions rather than waste time - electronically highlight the ones you have left out - use electronic review to return to unanswered questions 2nd time - do not leave any questions unanswered � make an educated guess Check for silly mistakes if you still have time

9. General Preparation Learning is always best cemented on experience Check the guidelines and reference material forpatients that you see day by day You must create time for �book-work� GP Post: you are not doing shifts & nights use your private study for AKT preparation You should aim to do revision work every evening You should take up to 5 days of private study leave Websites, guidelines, study groups � more later

10. Administration & Management MRCGP is an licensing exam work in UK Questions are based on working in UK Detailed legal questions are unusual Admin & Management: 10% of total = 20 marks Target score 70% = 14 marks Score 20% reduces overall mark by about 5% Score 60% reduces overall score by about 1% See �Suggested topics & web resources� Work through these and you should score 70%

11. EBM & Statistics Old MRCGP exam had one written question plus MCQs on stats & data interpretation EBM & Stats: 10% of total = 20 marks Target score 70% = 14 marks Score 20% reduces overall mark by about 5% Score 60% reduces overall score by about 1% Score 50% on stats & management? Loses you about 5% Means you now need 75% in clinical management

12. EBM & Statistics The questions focus on definitions and interpreting results/ graphs �Basic statistics� guide on the VTS website Mock question websites will drum a lot into you VTS session on September 29th (VTS Website) �How to Read a Paper� � Trish Greenhalgh

13. Clinical Medicine 80% of the questions SBA, EMQ, complete an algorithm, pictures Question writers are all GPs Material from NICE & SIGN guidelines, BNF, RCGP educational material (InnovAIT, EKU) Look at the Curriculum Map Consider using this as a checklist

14. Clinical Medicine Examiners give feedback after each AKT sitting I have collated the feedback on the website by clinical area There is an attempt to spread the exam questions evenly across the clinical areas of the GP Curriculum Questions should cover: - disease factors - symptoms - investigation - management

15. Clinical Medicine Common, low impact Sore throat, otitis media, impetigo Rare, high impact Child abuse, meningitis phaeochromocytoma Topical MRSA, T2DM management

16. Preparation Resources

17. How to Prepare a Topic If I was revising �Neurology�, then I would: Read the Neurology curriculum statement Check the summary on the curriculum map Read any examiner�s feedback For each topic/ line on the curriculum map: Revise knowledge Read any NICE guidelines Gaps: read up patient.co.uk (patientplus) Focus on the obviously important (e.g. Respiratory � Occupational lung disease vs. Asthma) Take any knowledge tests on EKU/ InnovAIT Run through questions on onexamination & passmedicine

18. Learning Sets Small groups (6-8 best), trainee-led Meet weekly for about 2 hours Wednesday afternoon after teaching (rotating host) Weekday lunchtimes (Flexible education session) Now - AKT preparation Later - CSA preparation.

19. AKT Learning Sets Decide how many meetings between now & the exam For each learning-set week: - Timetable a core curriculum topic - Allocate a lead trainee Ahead of their allocated meeting, the lead trainee prepares that curriculum topic (see my suggestion) At the meeting, the lead trainee presents to the group an annotated curriculum map showing key guidelines, useful reading, useful online modules During the next few days, everyone else then works through this material and runs self-test questions Feedback by all at the start of the next meeting

20. Any Questions?