GPST Stage 2 2010

By Hannah Brown in GPST on Thursday, September 17, 2009 @ 09:11

I can't believe that it's coming up to GPST time again!  We've been publishing books, running courses and the online site since 2007, so we've got a lot more experience than most people with the exam.  This year candidates seem to be starting earlier than in past years - despite the GPST Stage 2 exam not being until February we've already got lots of candidates using the PasTest Online GPST Stage 2 Online Course.  We've also managed to bring the new edition of GPST Stage 2 Practice Questions out early, and that's flying off the shelves.

The most important thing to bear in mind, when preparing for the exam, is not to panic.  It's easy to over-revise for the clinical problems solving questions, and we've been told that some of the other well-known revision sites have questions that are significantly harder than those in the actual exam.  The level you're aiming for is post-graduation from medical school, so dig out your notes from Finals and use them as your base for a couple of months.  When you're happy you've covered everything start working through books or online to test your knowledge.  That's all you need to do (easy!).

The element of the exam that candidates seem to struggle with isn't the EMQs and Best of Fives of Paper 1, but the Situational Judgement questions in Paper 2.  SJTs are 'what would you do' questions, and ask you to prioritise, delegate and manage any number of problems.  Despite there really being 'no right answer' in real-life situations like this, there is of course an ideal order that the assessors are looking for.  It can be especially hard when you've got two options which both look to be equally of utmost importance.  When these questions are marked, often it doesn't matter very much if you get them slightly out of order, i.e. got 1 and 2 in the wrong order.  Look for hidden clues in the question, and think through the outcomes - "if I did this, what would happen next?" as that can often affect how you prioritise things. 

Reviews for GPST Stage 2: Practice Questions (3rd Edition)

‘This excellent text comprehensively covers the areas examined in the Stage 2 assessment including a useful chapter on professional dilemma questions. Essential reading for anyone applying for General Practice training.’
Dr Natalie Stone, GP Registrar, Manchester

This book gives a clear picture of the breadth of topics which are covered in the GP ST2 examination. Concise answer notes facilitate revision, and references are provided to encourage efficient and effective further reading.’
Dr Kurt Wilson, General Practitioner and Teaching Fellow in Community-Based Medical Education, Manchester