Academic Foundation Programme (AFP) Secrets

The book contains very basic information and basic tips when applying for AFP. This information is very freely available online, so I did not feel like this book added any more value to what can be found online. As such, in terms of value for money, there is very little as I could have just relied on the free tips on the internet, and from helpful current AFP candidates.

Securing an academic foundation training post is a challenge. Only ~500 out of ~2500 applicants are successful and some regions in the South of England, such as London, Oxford, Cambridge, Bristol, regularly attract 10 applicants per place. Within this short title, Dr Khajuria has distilled the core elements of the application process, from white space questions to interview practice. I would highly recommend this title for any medical student with an interest in academia, but particularly those who do not personally know a current academic doctor, or those who are unable to attend a preparatory course for whatever reason. Whilst there were several other components within my preparation, this book certainly contributed to my success in securing an academic post within the Imperial College deanery.

NB: I used this book and successfully got into the Oxford AFP. I have no conflicts of interest to report and no association with the book's author or its publishers. I think this book is a great introduction to the AFP application process. In particular, I think the sections on white spaces, clinical scenarios and personal questions are excellent and were instrumental to my success. However, I think using this book alone is unwise. It is not a complete guide to the AFP. In reality, its content only scratches the surface of what you need to know for the interview. Unfortunately, the best way is still to have a mentor in the year above you who can offer guidance for your desired deanery's application process. If you don't know anyone, then going on an AFP preparation course is the next best option (anecdotally, High Yield UK, which is run by the book's author Dr Ankur Khajuria, is excellent and goes beyond the content of the book). Books that helped me more than AFP secrets are: Oxford Handbook for the Foundation Programme (by Raine et al.) - for clinical scenarios Medical Interviews (by Picard et al.) - for personal questions Pocket Guide to Critical Appraisal (by Crombie) - for critical appraisal

Cheaply printed, with no information that cannot be found free online. This book purely takes advantage of students anxiety for the interview. Save your money.

Rather good book - sadly it only arrived the day before my London AFP interview, so I didn't have much time to implement all the practices it suggested. I ended up not getting the AFP offer, but I genuinely think that if I had spent longer with the book practising the stuff like critical appraisal and emergencies management, I'd have done significantly better in the AFP interview. But yeah overall, really good book - I remember kicking myself when reading it, thinking "why didn't I order this sooner".

Got a research AFP. Good book. Could do with more info and answers to the stats section as opposed to just listing potential questions. But provides a good overview.

Great book - takes you through the key stages of the AFP interview and really helps home in your interview skills! Must have for any prospective AFP applicant.

V useful!