Secure your AKT pass with a complete, structured system.
Exam Overview
The MRCGP AKT (Applied Knowledge Test) is one of the three components required to gain Membership of the Royal College of General Practitioners and complete GP training in the UK. The AKT exam is not simply a test of factual recall. It assesses how well you apply clinical knowledge, interpret data, and make safe, evidence-based decisions in primary care settings.
The MRCGP AKT exam consists of 160 multiple-choice questions completed over 160 minutes. You can sit the AKT during or after GPST2, with up to four attempts allowed. The AKT pass mark varies between sittings but is typically around 60 to 70 percent.
For a structured AKT preparation course that builds both knowledge and exam technique, see our AKT Ultimate Package.
AKT Exam Dates
The MRCGP AKT exam is held four times a year, usually in January, April, July, and October. Knowing your AKT exam date early helps you plan revision, complete question practice, and build confidence before the exam.
For the latest AKT exam dates, booking details, and registration information, visit the official RCGP website.
AKT Exam Cost
The MRCGP AKT exam fee is set by the RCGP and is currently £470. It is important to plan for this cost as part of your GP training and AKT exam preparation.
How to pass the AKT exam
Passing the AKT requires more than knowledge alone. You need a clear revision plan, strong exam technique, and consistent practice with AKT-style questions.
Dr Aman Arora is a former GP VTS Programme Director and Advanced AKT Trainer. Arora Medical Education focuses specifically on MRCGP AKT preparation, helping GP trainees improve clinical knowledge, exam technique, and confidence through structured teaching and targeted question practice.
Want to learn more about MRCGP AKT?
Read our in-depth guide now!
Exam Format
FAQs
The two most popular approaches are:
- Question-bank based
- ‘Formal revision’ based
Question banks and reading books are useful for developing exam technique — but you won’t gain the experience of dealing with questions you may face in the exam. Only by taking both approaches hand-in-hand will you improve retention and performance.
A few key references to familiarise with and keep referring to throughout preparation include: RCGP Curriculum, NICE guidelines, BNF and BNF for children, RCGP InnovAiT journals, Oxford Handbook of General Practice.
The RCGP curriculum should be used as a guide to your preparation. The RCGP have outlined which areas will be tested in the AKT – not going through this will lead to surprises on the day. It is a long document but if you plan things well it will ensure you cover everything. Download our FREE AKT planner to help you do this now.
Review past RCGP AKT feedback reports. After every AKT exam the RCGP produces a report including which areas candidates struggled with. It is important that you go through these for at least 3-4 times before your own exam as it is likely that these areas will be re-tested. Make sure you plan to cover these areas well before your exam date. At Arora Medical, we always take the findings of these reports into consideration when developing and updating our own training resources, so that you won’t get taken by surprise. Our training resources are constantly updated.
Make a timeline. Planning is vital given the huge amount of material to cover for AKT. Work out how long you have before your exam, and break down your revision accordingly. Think about what topics to cover and when, along with how many questions you’ll need to complete each week.
If you fail to prepare adequately, then the pending AKT exam will quickly feel overwhelming. Our AKT revision planners are designed to help you plan out your revision and can be found here: Free Planners
The most comprehensive package for AKT is our AKT Ultimate Package. This is a package which focuses on the two core components needed for AKT success – knowledge and technique. The package has 6 months access to all material and contains 3 video courses, 3 audiobook courses, MRCGP AKT Question Bank, 5 mock exams, 2 live courses (our big mock AKT course and a live Statistics course- watchback available), clinical flashcards, statistics flashcards and admin flashcards. Click on the page to find out more about the package and for trainee reviews.
Read more: What is the AKT exam and how do I prepare for it?
Our most comprehensive package for AKT is certainly the AKT Ultimate Package. This is a package, which focuses on the two core components needed for AKT success – knowledge and technique.
The package has 6 months access to all material and contains 3 online courses, 3 audiobook courses, MRCGP AKT Question Bank, 5 mock exams, double live course attendance, clinical flashcards, stats flashcards and admin flashcards.
To find out more about the package and for trainee reviews click here.
When searching for the best AKT question bank for revision, the best advice is to try to find something which offers as much variety as possible.
Often people rely on one bank and get very used to a certain style of question-writing – doing the same style of question 3-4000 times is bound to trigger your brain to think in a certain way and it can be very confusing when another style is suddenly encountered in the exam. Whether you have two question banks, or whether you simply hire a few AKT practice question books from the library, try at least two sources. You can try our sample AKT mock exam questions
There are 160 MRCGP AKT questions. The test is computer-based and lasts 2 hours and 40 minutes, giving you an average time of 1 minute to answer each question. There is a timer visible on screen.
The questions follow a set format: 80% are on clinical medicine. 10% of questions are on health informatics and administrative issues. 10% of questions are on critical appraisal and evidence-based practice (statistics)
Questions can come in several types — the main being:
- Single best answer (SBA): choose only one answer e.g. 1 from 5.
- Extended match questions (EMQ): longer list of answers, 2 or 3 scenarios, choose only one answer.
- Free text answer: need to type an answer in the textbox.
There is no negative marking, so ensure you attempt every question.
A maximum of four attempts is allowed, which means if you fail your AKT on your first sitting you can try to pass it 3 more times (provided you entered GP Speciality Training on or after August 1st 2010).
You are able to take the AKT during or after the ST2 stage of your GP training.
Yes, you can use a calculator in the AKT exam – an online calculator is provided.
The failure rate of the AKT exam often worries trainees, due to the fact it is a challenging exam. The AKT pass rate is currently at between 60% and 68% based on the last 4 AKT feedback reports.
The current exam fee is £470 for all GP trainees as of April 2023.
Exam booking occurs through the RCGP website – application periods usually open 7-8 weeks before the exam and remain open for a few days.
Once you have booked and paid, you then select your preferred test centre.
AKT October 2025: Booking period 10th September – 12th September 2025, AKT test date 28th October 2025, results published 27th November 2025.
AKT January 2026: Booking period 3rd December – 5th December 2025, AKT test date 26th January 2026, results published 26th February 2026.
AKT April 2026: Booking period 11th March – 13th March 2026, AKT test date 27th April 2026, results published 28th May 2026.
AKT July 2026: Booking period 27th July – 29th July 2026, AKT test date 7th July 2026, results published 6th August 2026.
You can take the AKT exam from ST2 onwards.
Many trainees are taking the AKT earlier and earlier and choosing to attempt it at the first opportunity in ST2. Although it can be a relief to get your AKT passed as soon as possible, choosing to take the AKT too soon can result in the following issues:
– The job the trainee is in doesn’t allow for effective preparation due to shift patterns/fatigue. This is often the case if someone wants to sit their AKT during a placement like in AMU, A&E.
– The trainee’s lack of GP experience hinders how they can apply their knowledge in scenario-based situations.
– They try to rush into the exam and therefore do not give themselves a long enough time to prepare for it.
– Trainees choose to rely only on one type of revision resource to save time and money (eg just flashcards) which limits how much information they can retain and apply to the exam.
–Trainees taking their first attempt as a ‘feeler’ attempt can often result in them not being prepared enough.
There is no right or wrong time to take your AKT, and opting to take it in ST2 or ST3 year both have their benefits.
GP placement experience can make a difference as many questions require you to think in a ‘GP mindset’ – several answers may feasibly be correct, but the most likely one from a GP perspective may be the correct one.
The ‘best’ resource for you depends on how you learn best.
Our most comprehensive package for AKT is certainly the AKT Ultimate Package. This is a package, which focuses on the two core components needed for AKT success – knowledge and technique.
The package has 6 months access to all material and contains 3 online courses, 3 audiobook courses, MRCGP AKT Question Bank, 5 mock exams, 2 live course attendance (big mock and statistics course), clinical flashcards, stats flashcards and admin flashcards.
To find out more about the package and for trainee reviews click here.
There is lots to cover in order to succeed at AKT but if you have a plan then it is very much achievable.
Download our latest free AKT planner programme which provides you with a day-by-day guide of what to cover.