All applicants to Dental Foundation Training must take the Situational Judgement Test (SJT), a computer-based assessment designed to determine essential competencies that you can take at your preferred Pearson VUE testing centre. The test is based on clinical scenarios and aims to target the key attributes of being a dental professional including patient focus, commitment to professionalism, coping with pressure, effective communication, and working within a team.
Firstly you will need to fully read and understand the requirements of the online testing provider, Pearson Assessments. The timelines to book a slot are on the NHS website section on the DFT recruitment timeline. It's important to make sure you have enough time to get there, as failure to sit the test will result in your application being removed from the process.
What is involved in the SJT?
The SJT presents you with a series of work-related situations, and questions how you would respond. It is divided into 56 questions to be answered in 105 minutes, however, only 50 of those questions will be used for your ranking. The remaining six are used to test a bank of questions for the next cohorts and you won't know which questions are chosen.
The questions take different formats, between multiple choice and ranking questions, and the scenarios include the following:
Evolving dilemmas, where you are given three scenarios linked by common context. You must respond to each scenario as they represent workplace dilemmas and tend to be multi-faceted
Speech dilemmas, where you must choose how to respond to a difficult conversation. These usually revolve around patients, their families, or other professionals.
Tips for passing the SJT
The test challenges your ethical and decision-making skills. This means the process might feel different than usual academic exams, but there are strategies you can use to prepare and take the exam.
Revise little and often, starting with basic reading material like this:
The Foundation Dentists handbook
The DFT page for England, Wales or Northern Ireland, depending on where you are.
This should cover the basic knowledge required. The BDA also offers student members access to a SJT mock exam course and SJT question books through their library to help you prepare for the day.
You should also try to learn the technique for taking the exam without time pressure; once you have that covered you can start timing yourself. A good way to ensure you are managing your time properly is to create a checkpoint. Knowing which question you are supposed to be answering at any given time can help you stay on track.
When tackling a question, take the time to read the scenario and answers properly so that you avoid mistakes.
Ranking questions will ask you to place answers on a scale from most to least likely. Always start by ranking the most likely and least likely answers first. Because of how the scoring system is designed, by getting the extremes correct you can receive a minimum score of 16 out of 20. Then move on to second and fourth, leaving the middle one last. Remember to always attempt to answer each question, even when you are unsure as there is no negative marking.
Multiple-choice questions will provide a scenario and three different possible answers to choose from. Make sure you know the positive buzzwords to look out for in questions. Words like 'explore' or 'listen' are more positive and constructive and often help to resolve the issue at hand. But definitely ensure you read the full questions and answers as this can vary.
Each question, and the answers, relate directly to the GDC standards. Figuring out which standards the stem of the question relates to, and which answer best fits those standards can help you to rank or preference answers.
Finally, relax! The SJT is a challenging exam and can be quite daunting. But with enough practice and preparation you will be great on the day!
Preferences for schemes
Once you have completed the SJT, you then need to think about preferencing DFT schemes. It is important to think carefully and strategically to maximise your chances of getting a place that is a good fit for you.
To maximise your chances of receiving a place, make sure to preference all available places. If you limit the geographical areas or schemes where you are willing to work, there is a risk that you will 'preference yourself out'. This means that you may not rank highly enough to receive a place in your top choices and won't be eligible for schemes you have not preferenced but that might have places. If you preferenced all schemes but rank relatively low, do not worry, usually there are enough places for UK graduates eligible to train.
In many cases, scoring lower on the test means that you might not be placed where you were looking for. However, everything happens for a reason, so make the best out of your experience and try to learn as much as possible from it. Different practices will bring invaluable knowledge that you can take with you for the rest of your career.
If you are offered a place for which you have a low preference, try to remember that your placement only lasts for one year, afterwards you will be able to go back to the area that you prefer.
Make the most of your time during your foundation year and remember that Educational Supervisors work hard to provide the best possible training environment for you.
If you are preparing for your SJT and you are a student member, be sure to take advantage of our SJT mock exam course.
