Subtest 1 - Verbal reasoning
Questions 1 - 4
Sickle cell anaemia is an inherited disease of the erythrocytes (red blood cells) that is found chiefly in the people of tropical Africa and their descendants in America. It is characterized by abnormal haemoglobin, the protein that transports oxygen.
People afflicted with this condition are subject to repeated attacks, brought on by conditions in which the erythrocytes receive insufficient oxygen in their passage through the lungs. This may happen during periods of intense physical exertion, or at high altitudes where the oxygen pressure is low. Under these conditions, the abnormal haemoglobin crystallizes, distorting the erythrocytes into a rigid sickle shape. They are then unable to pass through the capillaries (small blood vessels). Blockage of the circulation produces a variety of severe symptoms and may result in death.
The gene that produces the abnormal haemoglobin confers a certain benefit on its carriers. Children of a mating between a person with sickle cell anaemia and one with normal haemoglobin have some damaged erythrocytes, but not enough to make them ill except under very severe conditions. They benefit by being immune to malaria, which is a devastating and often fatal disease common in Africa and Asia.
Question 1
Which of the following might be an appropriate treatment for a person suffering an acute attack of sickle cell anaemia?
(A) Administer antimalarial medication.
(B) Move the person to a high altitude.
(C) Administer oxygen.
(D) Make the person exercise strenuously.
Question 2
Why would sickle cell anaemia produce some benefit in Africa, but not in Canada?
(A) There is no malaria in Canada.
(B) Canada has a temperate climate.
(C) There is more oxygen in the air in Canada.
(D) Canada has a lower altitude than Africa.
Question 3
Of the following, in which group is sickle cell anaemia likely to appear most frequently?
(A) Canadians living in Africa
(B) Canadians of African descent
(C) People who have been exposed to malaria
(D) All people living in tropical climates
Question 4
A test is available to determine whether an individual is a carrier of sickle cell anaemia. Someone might take such a test to help him or her decide whether to
(A) Move to a tropical climate
(B) Take an office job
(C) Work at manual labour at a high altitude
(D) Travel to a malaria-free country
Questions 5 - 8
Sleep is defined as unconsciousness from which the person can be aroused by sensory or other stimuli. It is to be distinguished from coma, which is unconsciousness from which the person cannot be aroused. There are multiple stages of sleep, from very light sleep to very deep sleep; sleep researchers also divide sleep into two entirely different types of sleep that have different qualities.
During each night, a person goes through stages of two types of sleep that alternate with each other. They are called slow-wave sleep, because in this type of sleep the brain waves are very strong and very low frequency, and rapid eye movement sleep (REM sleep), because in this type of sleep the eyes undergo rapid movements despite the fact that the person is still asleep.
Most sleep during each night is of the slow-wave variety; this is the deep, restful sleep that the person experiences during the first hour of sleep after having been awake for many hours. REM sleep, on the other hand, occurs in episodes that occupy about 25 percent of the sleep time in young adults; each episode normally recurs every 90 minutes. This type of sleep is not so restful, and it is usually associated with vivid dreaming.
Question 5
REM sleep can be distinguished from very deep slow-wave sleep as you can be aroused by sensory stimuli
(A) True
(B) False
(C) Can’t Tell
Question 6
REM sleep usually alternates with slow-wave sleep every 90 minutes, with episodes lasting 25 percent of the time spent in slow-wave sleep
(A) True
(B) False
(C) Can’t Tell
Question 7
While monitoring an individual’s sleeping pattern, we will usually see strong brain waves of very low frequency in the first hour of sleep
(A) True
(B) False
(C) Can’t Tell
Question 8
Individuals who spend more time in REM sleep often experience daytime sleepiness due to less restful sleep.
(A) True
(B) False
(C) Can’t Tell
Subtest 2 - Decision making
Question 1
At a conference for anaesthetists in Sydney last year, none were men who had subspecialised in chronic pain management.
Place “Yes” if the conclusion does follow. Place “No” if the conclusion does not follow
Question 2
A transportation company is building rail lines to connect five different cities—B, C, D, E, and F—according to the following conditions:
- Each rail line will directly connect two cities with each other, and no two rail lines will intersect.
- No more than one rail line will directly connect any two cities.
- No city will have more than three rail lines directly connecting it with other cities.
- B, C, and D will each directly be connected by a rail line with one or both of E and F.
- B will be directly connected by a rail line with exactly two other cities.
- C will be directly connected by a rail line with exactly one other city.
- A rail line directly connects B and F, and a rail line directly connects E and F.
Which one of the following is a complete and accurate list of the cities which could be directly connected by a rail line with D?
(A) B, C
(B) B, F
(C) B, E, F
(D) B, C, E, F
Question 3
Should the Australian government be able to monitor and read all telephone conversations?
Select the strongest argument from the statements below.
A) Yes, it is important for police to be able to prevent terrorism
B) Yes, so that the government can help plan for infrastructure
C) No, because it would be technically very difficult to do this
D) No, because it is a serious infringement of civil liberties
Question 4
An Olympic athlete has put her medals up on the wall for everyone to admire. She has won six medals— two gold and four silver. The medals are from two Olympics, 2000 and 2004.
The medals are arranged as shown:
1 2 3
4 5 6
- Medal 2 is gold.
- Both gold medals were won in the 2004 Olympics.
- Medals 1 and 3 were won in 2000.
- At most only three silver medals are on the corners.
- All medals won in 2000 are hung adjacent to at least two medals won in 2004.
Which of the following could be the kinds of medals that 4, 5, and 6 are, respectively?
(A) Gold, silver, gold.
(B) Silver, gold, silver.
(C) Silver, silver, gold.
(D) Silver, silver, silver.
Question 5
The Navy performs security operations off the coast of the eastern seaboard. A total of four perfectly circular security areas are defined in the waters that the Navy surveys. Area A intersects area B. Area B intersects area C. Area C and area A do not intersect. Area D is completely encompassed by the part of area B that does not intersect any other area. At midnight, four ships, R, S, T, and U, are in the water in at least one of the areas.
The positions of the ships are determined by the following:
- R is in area A.
- T is not in any security area that R is in.
- S is in at least two security areas.
- U is not in any security area that S is in.
Which of the following could NOT be true if R is in two areas?
(A) U is in area C.
(B) S is in area D and U is in area A.
(C) T is in area D.
(D) None of the above.
Question 6
Joe has five 50 cent and three 5 cent pieces. If he picks two of these coins at random, what is the probability that both will be 50 cent pieces?
(A) 1/4
(B) 5/14
(C) 25/64
(D) 5/8
Subtest 3 - Quantitative reasoning
Questions 1 - 4
The chart below shows the results of a traffic survey conducted this year. The numbers in each bar show the actual number of vehicles of each colour counted. These are all the types of vehicles considered.
Question 1
What is the approximate ratio of red vehicles to white?
(A) 1:2
(B) 1:3
(C) 3:7
(D) 7:20
(E) 2:5
Question 2
In a similar survey conducted last year, compared to this year there were 5 fewer red cars, 1 fewer red van and 3 fewer red motorcycles, but the same number of all the other vehicles. Which of the following fractions correctly represents the increase in red vehicles from last year to this year?
(A) 1/6
(B) 1/4
(C) 1/3
(D) 1/2
(E) 3/4
Question 3
If two years ago the ratio of vans:HGVs was 1:3, how many HGVs were counted two years ago?
(A) 31
(B) 50
(C) 63
(D) 93
(E) Can't tell
Question 4
A large motor reseller (which sells vans/minibuses and buses/coaches) uses these statistics to work out how many vehicles they should preorder for resale in their yard, and in what colours in a given year. The reseller preorders vehicles in the same proportions as these statistics.
Based on this survey, they have purchased 377 white vans/minbuses. How many blue buses/coaches will they pre-order?
A) 3
B) 26
C) 39
D) 104
E) 403
Questions 5 - 8
The table below shows the age distribution of a population of Whatyacallit, a small town, where all of the people can be divided into the age groups shown in the table:
| Age Group |
Population |
Age group |
Population |
| 0-4 |
6,450 |
45-49 |
8,400 |
| 5-9 |
7,600 |
50-54 |
10,150 |
| 10-14 |
8,450 |
55-59 |
9,600 |
| 15-19 |
7,400 |
60-64 |
7,950 |
| 20-24 |
5,550 |
65-69 |
7,450 |
| 25-29 |
6,150 |
70-74 |
7,100 |
| 30-34 |
8,100 |
75-79 |
6,450 |
| 35-39 |
8,750 |
80-84 |
4,500 |
| 40-44 |
8,450 |
85-89 |
2,750 |
Question 5
How many people in the town are younger than 20?
(A) 7,400
(B) 28,900
(C) 29,000
(D) 29,900
(E) 35,450
Question 6
If everyone retires at 65, what fraction of the population is within 10 years of retiring?
(A) 1/4
(B) 1/5
(C) 1/7
(D) 1/10
(E) 1/20
Question 7
What is the ratio of schoolchildren (5-19) to retired people (65+)?
(A) 4:5
(B) 4:3
(C) 2:1
(D) 1:2
(E) 5:4
Question 8
It is known that 42% of the population between 60 and 79 is female and 58% of the population between 80 and 89 is female. What is the approximate proportion of males between 60-89?
A) 50%
B) 52%
C) 55%
D) 57%
E) 59%
Subtest 4 - Abstract reasoning
AR1
Question 1
Does the following shape belong to Set A or Set B or Neither?
A
. Set A
B. Set B
C. Neither
Question 2
Does the following shape belong to Set A or Set B or Neither?
A. Set A
B. Set B
C. Neither
Question 3
Does the following shape belong to Set A or Set B or Neither?
A. Set A
B. Set B
C. Neither
Question 4
Does the following shape belong to Set A or Set B or Neither?
A. Set A
B. Set B
C. Neither
Question 5
Does the following shape belong to Set A or Set B or Neither?
A. Set A
B. Set B
C. Neither
AR2
Question 1
Which of the following shapes belongs in Set A?
Question 2
Which of the following shapes belongs in set B?
Question 3
Which of the following shapes belongs in set A?
Question 4
Which of the following shapes belongs in Set B?
Question 5
Which of the following shapes belongs in Set B?
AR3
Which figure completes the series?
AR4
Which figure completes the statement?
Subtest 5 - Situational judgement
SJ1 - Importance
A junior doctor, Brian, has just commenced work on a busy surgical ward. He shares his workload with another junior colleague, John. Brian has noticed that John is consistently late for work. This has been going on for the past fortnight. John being late has resulted in Brian taking on extra responsibilities on the ward to ensure that patients receive appropriate care.
How important to take into account are the following considerations for Brian when deciding how to respond to the situation?
Question 1
Whether John being late has led to patient care being compromised
A) Very important
B) Important
C) Of minor importance
D) Not important at all
Question 2
Whether other medical and nursing staff have noticed that John has been late to work
A) Very important
B) Important
C) Of minor importance
D) Not important at all
Question 3
The underlying reasons that have led to John being late to work
A) Very important
B) Important
C) Of minor importance
D) Not important at all
Question 4
The degree to which Brian and John know each other and whether they have a close working relationship
A) Very important
B) Important
C) Of minor importance
D) Not important at all
SJ2 - Appropriateness
Two junior doctors, Sarah and Michael, are working in the same hospital ward. They attended medical school together. Recently, Michael confided in Sarah that he has been finding work particularly challenging recently, and has grown increasingly dependent on alcohol. Sarah knows that Michael has had issues with alcohol dependence in the past, while at medical school. Michael asks Sarah not to tell anyone, as he is concerned that it may have an impact on his future employment at the hospital.
How appropriate are each of the following responses by Sarah in this situation?
Question 1
Promise Michael that his comments will not be shared with anyone.
A) A very appropriate thing to do
B) Appropriate, but not ideal
C) Inappropriate, but not awful
D) A very inappropriate thing to do
Question 2
Reassure Michael that he will be supported, and suggest that he speaks to his senior supervising doctor.
A) A very appropriate thing to do
B) Appropriate, but not ideal
C) Inappropriate, but not awful
D) A very inappropriate thing to do
Question 3
Inform the nurses on the ward about Michael's comments.
A) A very appropriate thing to do
B) Appropriate, but not ideal
C) Inappropriate, but not awful
D) A very inappropriate thing to do
Question 4
Inform the senior supervising doctor about Michael's comments, without informing Michael.
A) A very appropriate thing to do
B) Appropriate, but not ideal
C) Inappropriate, but not awful
D) A very inappropriate thing to do
SJ3 - Appropriateness
A dental student, George, has been contacted by his supervisor, Dr Jefferson, to arrange a mid-placement review. The purpose of the review is to assess George’s learning portfolio. George has been on a placement at a busy dental clinic, and has not kept up to date with his supervised learning events. Furthermore, Geoge has not completed any of the learning targets he had agreed upon with Dr Jefferson at the start of the rotation.
How appropriate are each of the following responses by George in this situation?
Question 1
Arrange a meeting with Dr Jefferson and describe why the targets have not been met.
A) A very appropriate thing to do
B) Appropriate, but not ideal
C) Inappropriate, but not awful
D) A very inappropriate thing to do
Question 2
Change the targets made on the learning portfolio to make them easier to achieve, as Dr Jefferson is unlikely to notice the change.
A) A very appropriate thing to do
B) Appropriate, but not ideal
C) Inappropriate, but not awful
D) A very inappropriate thing to do
Question 3
Stay back late after the placement has finished in order to complete the supervised learning events.
A) A very appropriate thing to do
B) Appropriate, but not ideal
C) Inappropriate, but not awful
D) A very inappropriate thing to do
Question 4
Meet with Dr Jefferson as planned, and book another meeting with Dr Jefferson in two weeks to reassess the progress made.
A) A very appropriate thing to do
B) Appropriate, but not ideal
C) Inappropriate, but not awful
D) A very inappropriate thing to do
SJ4 - Appropriateness
Raymond, a medical student, is in a lecture hall at university. A professor, Dr Henderson, is giving a presentation about professionalism in medicine. In the row behind Raymond, two fellow medical students are talking to each other while the lecture is taking place. They are looking at their phones and laughing loudly. Raymond is finding it difficult to concentrate on the lecture. He notices that the students’ behaviour is also disrupting others in the lecture hall.
How appropriate are each of the following responses by Raymond in this situation?
Question 1
Obtain Dr Henderson’s attention and inform her that Raymond cannot hear her, because of the background noise.
A) A very appropriate thing to do
B) Appropriate, but not ideal
C) Inappropriate, but not awful
D) A very inappropriate thing to do
Question 2
Politely ask the medical students to stop talking, as it is disturbing other students.
A) A very appropriate thing to do
B) Appropriate, but not ideal
C) Inappropriate, but not awful
D) A very inappropriate thing to do
Question 3
Ignore the issue, but approach the medical students after the lecture to inform them of their disruptive behaviour.
A) A very appropriate thing to do
B) Appropriate, but not ideal
C) Inappropriate, but not awful
D) A very inappropriate thing to do
SJ5 - Appropriateness
Annie, a medical student, is shadowing a senior doctor, Dr Santos, in a hospital. They are seeing a patient, Mike, who has been admitted with a hernia in the groin. Dr Santos examines Mike’s groin, and asks if Mike minds if Annie also examines him. Annie knows that this will be a valuable learning opportunity for her. Mike looks embarrassed, but agrees to the examination. Dr Santos leaves to attend to another patient.
How appropriate are each of the following responses by Annie in this situation? Assume that each of the following responses would be said politely.
Question 1
“Thank you for allowing me to examine you.”
A) A very appropriate thing to say
B) Appropriate, but not ideal
C) Inappropriate, but not awful
D) A very inappropriate thing to say
Question 2
“You seem uncomfortable. Are you sure you are happy for me to examine you?”
A) A very appropriate thing to say
B) Appropriate, but not ideal
C) Inappropriate, but not awful
D) A very inappropriate thing to say
Question 3
“It’s ok, I don’t have to examine you.”
A) A very appropriate thing to say
B) Appropriate, but not ideal
C) Inappropriate, but not awful
D) A very inappropriate thing to say
SJ6 - Most/Least Appropriate
A medical student, Joanne, is interviewing Mr Jones, a patient with a chronic lung condition. Joanne has read in Mr Jones’ notes that he has stated that he has quit smoking, which is a major reason why he has been assessed as being suitable for home oxygen. Joanne is aware that only patients who have quit smoking are offered home oxygen, and that smoking on home oxygen is very dangerous. While conducting the interview, Joanne notices a pack of cigarettes in Mr Jones’ jacket pocket.
Choose the one most appropriate action and the one least appropriate action that Joanne should take in response to this situation.
1. Inform the senior doctor immediately, as this may be a risk to Mr Jones’ health.
2. Overlook the packet of cigarettes, so as not to damage the relationship that Joanne has built with Mr Jones.
3. Ask Mr Jones further questions to understand what she has seen, and to assess whether her suspicions regarding him smoking are correct.
