Secure your AKT pass with a complete, structured system.
Exam Overview
The AKT (the applied knowledge test) is one of the three components of the MRCGP qualification (Membership of the Royal College of General Practitioners). This is necessary to complete GP training in the UK. It is not simply a test of how much you know or can retain; it aims to test your application of knowledge and problem-solving.
The MRCGP AKT format is a 200-question exam, which lasts 3 hours and 10 minutes. You can sit your AKT MRCGP exam any time during or after your GPST2 year and you can sit it up to 4 times to pass. The pass mark varies between exams but tends to be between 60-70%.
For our most comprehensive AKT package – focusing on both knowledge and exam technique – see our AKT Ultimate Package.
AKT Exam 2025 Dates
It’s essential to know your AKT exam dates to plan your preparation effectively. The AKT dates that the RCGP set are typically four times a year. For 2025, it will be on 29th January, 30th April, 9th July, and 28th October. For detailed information on AKT exam cost and to register, visit the RCGP website.
AKT Exam Cost
The AKT exam cost is £470 . Ensure to budget accordingly for this crucial step in your GP training.
Master all of the key topics, along with your exam technique.
We have a burning passion to help you reach your maximum potential. Dr Aman Arora is a previous GP VTS Programme Director and Advanced AKT Trainer. The Arora team have taught over 50,000 doctors globally through a combination of live, online, and audio teaching, helping them prepare for and pass exams such as MRCGP AKT, SCA, MSRA and PLAB.
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.