Key Takeaways
- Around 900 candidates miss out on GP training places every year — you are not alone
- Your SJT score is a snapshot of one test sitting, not a reflection of your worth as a doctor
- Most candidates who reapply with targeted preparation improve their score significantly
- Understanding why you scored lower is more valuable than simply practising more
- There are productive steps you can take immediately while waiting for the next test window
First: this does not define you
If you are reading this after missing out on a GP training place, take a breath. Roughly 900 doctors receive the same news every year. Many of them are talented, compassionate clinicians who will go on to become excellent GPs. The SJT is a high-stakes, time-pressured assessment that captures a narrow slice of who you are on a single day. It does not measure your clinical competence, your dedication to your patients, or your potential as a GP.
That said, the disappointment is real. You may be feeling frustrated, embarrassed, or uncertain about your future. These feelings are valid. Give yourself time to process them before jumping into action mode.
You are not alone
With approximately 2,400 candidates competing for 1,750 places each year, about 37% of applicants miss out. Many successful GPs did not get in on their first attempt. The path to GP fellowship is not always a straight line.
Understanding your results
After the assessment, you receive a quartile score reflecting your overall performance. While you do not get a breakdown by individual question or competency, understanding the scoring system helps you identify where to focus your preparation for next time.
Each of your 22 answers was scored independently by a different human rater on the Q1–Q4 scale. Your overall score is an aggregate. This means a few low-scoring responses can significantly drag down an otherwise strong performance. The question to ask yourself is not 'am I bad at this?' but rather 'which types of scenarios or competencies am I weaker in?'
Read our detailed guide on what separates Q4 from Q2 answers to understand exactly what raters are looking for. Many candidates discover that small adjustments in approach — particularly leading with empathy before solutions — make a dramatic difference.
Common reasons candidates score lower than expected
Based on patterns we see across hundreds of practice responses, these are the most common reasons otherwise strong candidates score Q2–Q3 instead of Q3–Q4:
- Jumping to solutions — addressing the practical problem before acknowledging the person's emotional experience. Raters interpret this as a lack of empathy, even if you genuinely care
- Using buzzwords without depth — writing 'I would be empathetic and non-judgmental' instead of demonstrating empathy through specific, authentic language
- Running out of time — candidates with slower typing speeds often submit incomplete responses that cannot score Q4 regardless of quality
- Overthinking the clinical angle — treating the SJT like a clinical exam and focusing on medical decision-making rather than interpersonal skills
- Test anxiety — nerves that cause you to default to rigid templates rather than responding authentically to each unique scenario
- Insufficient practice — understanding the theory without enough timed practice to apply it under pressure
What to do right now
You do not need to wait until the next test window to start improving. Here are concrete steps you can take immediately:
1. Assess your baseline honestly
Complete several practice scenarios on PRAXIS without time pressure first. Compare your responses to the model Q4 answers. Where do they differ? Are you leading with empathy? Are you acknowledging complexity? The AI feedback will score your response across all 9 competencies, giving you a personalised map of your strengths and weaknesses.
2. Improve your typing speed
If you typed under 55 WPM during the test, your responses were almost certainly limited by speed rather than skill. Spend 15 minutes daily on a typing trainer. Many candidates gain 15–20 WPM within 4–6 weeks, which translates to significantly more content and nuance in their responses.
3. Develop your empathy vocabulary
Q4 responses use specific, authentic language to express empathy. Start building a repertoire of genuine phrases: 'That sounds incredibly difficult', 'It makes complete sense that you would feel that way', 'Many people in your position experience the same thing'. These are not scripts to memorise — they are starting points for developing your own authentic voice.
4. Practise under timed conditions
Once you have identified your weak areas and built some foundational skills, transition to timed practice. The 3.5-minute window for typed responses creates genuine pressure, and learning to perform under that pressure is a skill in itself. Our practice platform simulates exact test conditions.
Planning your next application
The next test windows for 2026 are May and August. If you sat in March and missed out, you have a clear runway to prepare for a later sitting. Here is a realistic timeline:
| Timeframe | Focus |
|---|---|
| Weeks 1–2 | Process emotions, assess baseline with untimed practice, identify weak competencies |
| Weeks 3–4 | Daily typing practice, study model Q4 answers, rebuild approach framework |
| Weeks 5–8 | Timed practice (3–4 sessions/week), review AI feedback, refine weak competencies |
| Weeks 9–10 | Full mock test simulations under realistic conditions |
| Final week | Light review, focus on wellbeing and test-day logistics |
Track your progress
Keep a simple log of your practice scores by competency. Seeing concrete improvement over weeks is motivating and helps you identify which areas still need work. Most candidates see measurable improvement within 3–4 weeks of focused practice.
What about alternative pathways?
While preparing to resit, it is worth knowing that the AGPT program is not the only pathway to GP fellowship. ACRRM offers rural training places that may have different competitiveness thresholds. Some candidates also gain valuable experience through non-training registrar positions in general practice, building skills that strengthen their next SJT attempt.
Speak with your medical education officer, GP supervisors, or a career mentor about the options available to you. The path to becoming a GP has multiple routes, and a setback in one does not close the others.
Looking after yourself
Missing out on a training position is stressful, and doctors are notoriously bad at seeking support for themselves. If you are struggling, please reach out:
Support services
Doctors' Health Advisory Service (DHAS): available in every state and territory, free and confidential. Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636. Lifeline: 13 11 14. Your hospital or practice's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is also available to you.
Read our comprehensive guide on how to prepare for the AGPT selection assessment for a detailed preparation strategy, and browse the question bank to start familiarising yourself with scenario types.