The AKT question is the defining ST2 decision: sit now or wait?
Arguments for Sitting in ST2
Removes AKT pressure from ST3 — freeing your final year for SCA focus and portfolio completion. Hospital rotations provide fresh acute knowledge that directly applies to AKT clinical questions. Getting the AKT out of the way early reduces the compound stress of multiple exams in ST3.
Arguments for Waiting
GP-specific knowledge (organisational domain) deepens during GP placements in ST2/ST3. More clinical breadth accumulated by ST3. Risk of wasting an attempt if underprepared — maximum 4 or 6 attempts depending on training start date.
The Decision Framework
Take a diagnostic mock — FourteenFish AKT package or your primary Q-bank. If you are consistently scoring 65%+ across all three domains (clinical, EBP, organisational), consider sitting in ST2. If you are below 65% or have significant gaps in the organisational domain, wait and prepare properly.
Preparation Timeline (If Sitting in ST2)
12-week plan starting 3 months before the exam date. Primary Q-bank: Passmedicine (£35) or Pastest (£50-100). Daily supplement: iatroX adaptive quiz (free, 15 minutes/day). Verification: CKS/BNF for every wrong answer.
Balancing Revision with Clinical Work
45-60 minutes structured Q-bank revision per evening. 15 minutes iatroX adaptive on the commute. One full mock exam every 2 weeks from week 5 onwards. This is sustainable alongside clinical work — the total daily commitment is approximately 75 minutes.
Where iatroX Fits
iatroX's adaptive quiz gives you a continuous readiness signal — if your topic scores are consistently strong across all domains, you are ready. If specific areas are weak, you know exactly where to focus before committing to a sitting.