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Author Bio — Dr Aman Arora

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Author Bio — Dr Pooja Arora

How I passed AKT with Dyslexia: Dr Canh Van On

Revision Strategies for the AKT if You Suffer With Dyslexia

<h2 style="color: white; background-image: linear-gradient(90deg, #2B5DCE 21%, #FFFFFF00 100%); font-size: 26px; padding: 10px;">Planning &amp; Organisation</h2>
<p>During my GP training, it was a huge challenge to work as well as study for the AKT.  Using weekends became difficult as Out of Hours time commitments (a necessary part of training) also built up.  Having failed the AKT a few times, I needed to review my approach and be realistic.  I definitely was not prepared enough in advance – I did not do enough questions or put in enough hours of reading.  After failing the AKT a few times, I decided to sit my CSA exam first, managing to pass on my second attempt. This helped to significantly boost my confidence and indicated to me that I was not a bad clinician, and that I <i>did</i> have the necessary clinical knowledge to pass the MRCGP exams.  Since then, I have also come across other trainees who have passed CSA (or RCA) with dyslexia <i>before </i>passing the AKT.</p>
<p>Allocating time for studies and motivation was a huge factor for me – I needed to address these first. With support from my dyslexic tutor, I planned my diary to tackle the most challenging topics first, giving me more time to understand it.  I used the <a href="https://wp.aroramedicaleducation.co.uk/free-downloads/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Arora timetable poster to plan my revision</a>, cutting it up to adapt them to my own timetable.  I noted all key dates in a diary, the GPVTS topics for teaching sessions, all learning events and webinars that I had registered for – and accounted for all the hours in a day, to include sufficient rest time.  I planned my tutorials to cover topics in order to reinforce knowledge in a timely fashion and discussed a list of patients that I had managed – for example someone with diabetes – to enhance learning.  I would prepare for any tutorial or learning event by reading the relevant section in the BNF and CKS, as well as attempting the relevant section in question banks, so that I was able to discuss anything I did not understand with my supervisor. I also ensured there were short or more enjoyable topics spread out in a timely fashion so that I was able to keep motivated.</p>
<h2 style="color: white; background-image: linear-gradient(90deg, #2B5DCE 21%, #FFFFFF00 100%); font-size: 26px; padding: 10px;">Using Different Learning Styles to Consolidate my Learning</h2>
<p>After failing a few times, I knew that I needed to find revision that would suit my own dyslexia strengths and weaknesses.  I am a very visual person, as well as finding auditory learning beneficial, so I needed colour, sounds, interactions and repetition.</p>
<p>Having been on different courses, I went with the provider that suited me the most in terms of personality, quality of material and availability of different modes of delivery.  These included Dr Arora’s <a style="color: #3366ff;" href="https://wp.aroramedicaleducation.co.uk/mrcgp-akt-online-courses/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">online teaching</a>, his free <a style="color: #3366ff;" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqkWfBY_0ydbOoTkp92lBPw" target="_blank" rel="noopener">YouTube videos</a> and free revision emails.  I could change the speed on some of the resources – I often had them on high speed to get an overview and “prime” my brain in preparation, and then re-watch again later at a slower speed.  I had initially found his CSA course to be extremely enjoyable and fun – something that was important to me, as being relaxed meant I was able to retain information better.  This experience then led me to try some of his AKT resources.  His teaching method was structured in such a way that it generally suited me and my form of dyslexia.  His delivery was fun, interactive and structured – with introductions and regular summaries – and his notes were hugely user friendly with colours and pictures.  All of these combined helped make my learning more memorable – as memory recall was by far my biggest challenge. </p>
<p>I would suggest researching what would suit you by speaking to other trainees, sign up for any taster events or check out some <a style="color: #3366ff;" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqkWfBY_0ydbOoTkp92lBPw" target="_blank" rel="noopener">YouTube videos</a> – you’ll soon find which style of learner you are.</p>
<h2 style="color: white; background-image: linear-gradient(90deg, #2B5DCE 21%, #FFFFFF00 100%); font-size: 26px; padding: 10px;">Use of Colours and Pictures to Make Learning More Engaging</h2>
<p>I used notebooks that had coloured sections and minimal lines – I found that these multiple lines gave me eye stress in the past.  Because I found <a style="color: #3366ff;" href="https://wp.aroramedicaleducation.co.uk/mrcgp-akt-online-courses/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dr Arora’s notes colourful and concise</a>, it meant that I did not need to carry around reams of paper as a form of comfort!  As I found comfort in writing/drawing notes, I learnt to summarise them by typing them out, adding drawings/pictorial summaries, colour and humour and then emailing them back to myself.  I would then organise them into folders in my email, so they were easily accessible and searchable when needed.  It also then gave me the ability to print certain parts out and edit them by writing or drawing all over them to enhance learning. </p>
<p><em>To see our all-in-one AKT Ultimate Package (videos, audios, live, flashcards, question bank and mocks) click <a href="https://wp.aroramedicaleducation.co.uk/mrcgp-akt-ultimate-package/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. </em></p>
<h2 style="color: white; background-image: linear-gradient(90deg, #2B5DCE 21%, #FFFFFF00 100%); font-size: 26px; padding: 10px;">Break up Revision Rather Than Spend Long Periods Revising</h2>
<p>For fun breaks, I would spend a few minutes each day actively reviewing my notes by turning them into visual pictorial notes, or redraw my notes that did not involve too much effort.  These both helped to reinforce information into my long term memory.  I also downloaded a question bank app so I was able to set it to a few timed questions if I was waiting in a queue, or needed a “breather” from solid studying. I tried to turn revision notes into pictures with lots of colour and humour, making them a more interactive and multisensory learning experience.  You can also try turning notes into a song, use the traditional mnemonics, or, like me, even try to crochet or knit out a pattern!  I had used Dr Arora’s revision flash cards as a good start for key facts – and added to them from there. </p>
<p>Ultimately, the most important aspect of this is to enjoy it and find something that is quick and fun that works for you.</p>
<h2 style="color: white; background-image: linear-gradient(90deg, #2B5DCE 21%, #FFFFFF00 100%); font-size: 26px; padding: 10px;">Use Different Questions Banks</h2>
<p>During initial revision, I got used to a particular question bank style – and so to break it up I signed up to 3 different question banks for my final attempt to keep me on my toes.  You might find that your deanery already has free access for you to some question banks.  I aimed to score 90% and higher this time round as previously, I was scoring 70-80% but still kept failing. </p>
<p>I asked my supervisor and dyslexia tutor to go through exam techniques – particularly reading the questions carefully – as if I was learning to read again.</p>
<h2 style="color: white; background-image: linear-gradient(90deg, #2B5DCE 21%, #FFFFFF00 100%); font-size: 26px; padding: 10px;">Discussing Revision Out Loud</h2>
<p>At every opportunity I would have a general chat with patients about their condition or with colleagues about their clinical management plans and ideas.  For me, somehow knowledge seems to become second nature when I have had a multisensory interaction with someone – be it with a patient, relative or colleague.  Explaining information to patients or colleagues reinforced knowledge and recall of factual information, something that I struggled significantly with.</p>
<h2 style="color: white; background-image: linear-gradient(90deg, #2B5DCE 21%, #FFFFFF00 100%); font-size: 26px; padding: 10px;">The Exam Itself</h2>
<p>Having done the AKT 4 times prior to my final attempt, I knew that my reading and exam technique let me down significantly.  The knowledge side of things was being addressed by all of the above planning and strategies, so this helped reduce stress significantly.  This in turn meant that I could concentrate much better on exam day.  I ensured that I had covered the whole curriculum a month before the exam, so the final few weeks were spent practising questions again, reviewing notes and keeping calm.  </p>
<p>I planned for no proper revision on the day before the exam (this has always made me feel better going in), just allowing for a quick flick through my (by now much fewer pages of) revision notes.</p>
<p>On the day of the exam, I had booked a hotel the night before, so that the venue was only a short walk away.  I arrived early and relaxed, knowing I had pulled out all the stops this time round.  I planned to have regular toilet breaks so that I was not too tired, as I knew this affected my reading and exam technique. I did not spend too much time on a question and would answer it to the best of my ability, flagging it to go back to if I had time. </p>
<p>Thankfully, of course, I did indeed finally pass my AKT and am now a fully fledged GP.  The most important advice that I can give anyone who is in similar shoes, is to reach out and ask for help. You are not alone and there is support out there. Good luck!</p>


Getting Support as a GP Trainee

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Buy our AKT Ultimate Package here

View our other MRCGP AKT courses

<p>If you are a GP trainee who has dyslexia (or in fact any junior doctor or medical student with dyslexia who is currently preparing for exams), this blog is a must read. We are lucky to have Dr Canh Van On – a GP who passed her MRCGP AKT exam at the 5th attempt – share her experience of dyslexia and how she adapted her studying to pass and complete training.</p>
<p>– Register for our next Free AKT Webinar <a href="https://wp.aroramedicaleducation.co.uk/calendar/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.<br />
– Join the Arora AKT Telegram teaching group <a href="https://t.me/aroramrcgpakt" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.<br />
– Start our most comprehensive AKT Ultimate Package <a href="https://wp.aroramedicaleducation.co.uk/mrcgp-akt-ultimate-package/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a></p>


The Assessment

Getting Diagnosed

My Journey in Brief

About Dr Van On

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<p>Welcome to Arora Medical Education, where your success is our mission. I’m Dr. Aman Arora, a Portfolio GP with over a decade of clinical and teaching experience, dedicated to helping doctors achieve their goals with confidence. Having had the privilege of supporting more than 50,000 doctors worldwide across exams like <a href="/course/mrcgp-akt">MRCGP AKT</a>, <a href="/course/mrcgp-sca">MRCGP SCA</a>, <a href="/course/msra">MSRA</a>, <a href="/course/plab-2">PLAB 2</a> and <a href="/course/plab-1">PLAB 1</a>, I understand the challenges you face and the strategies needed to overcome them. Through personalized face-to-face sessions, engaging online courses, mocks, audio and a vibrant social media community, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.</p>
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