Resources for candidates and trainers
Preparing to take the MRCGP Applied Knowledge Test: A concise guide for candidates (PDF file, 173 KB) - offers a clear overview of what is required.
What can Trainers do to help GP registrars prepare for the AKT? (PDF file, 578 KB) - outlines how trainers can help candidates prepare by identifying how day-to-day practice influences exam content.
MRCGP candidate presentation (PPT file, 3.4 MB) - has detailed information about the AKT. Includes feedback and statistics from the most recent test, and examples of the types of questions you may be asked.
Preparing for the AKT video - a recorded interview with three successful ST2 GP candidates. Please watch for practical preparation advice and top tips, with a summary at the end.
Resitting the AKT - A recorded interview with two successful ST3 GP candidates. This video is intended for anyone preparing to resit the AKT.
PASSAKT
The following helpful mnemonic was created and shared by Dr Jasvinder Kandola. He reflected on his own experience and talked to other trainees across Wessex who had initially been unsuccessful before passing their AKT.
- Prepare early
- Ask for help from peers, training programme directors & education supervisor
- Study groups and study partners
- Sit the exam after primary care experience
- Apply clinical knowledge when seeing patients
- Know your clinical guidelines
- Take the exam when right for your circumstances
Data interpretation
Data interpretation in the AKT (PDF file, 1.1 MB) - for candidates and GP educators to use in tutorials and peer group learning. Aims to kick-start conversations about the importance of interpreting data we encounter in primary care.
Professor Mike Harris is an experienced GP and Professor of Primary Care based near Bath. One of his many areas of expertise includes teaching about critical appraisal skills and medical statistics. He was commissioned to independently produce these excellent videos in response to candidate requests for data interpretation teaching resources.
The videos aim to help understand data interpretation found in both day-to-day clinical practice and common reading materials. The views expressed are those of Professor Harris and the content is purposefully detailed.
The AKT assesses basic understanding and principles, such as interpreting graphs and charts as well as simple calculations. The level of detail in the videos may be higher than that which is being tested, but we trust this is helpful to candidates.
Read the RCGP Curriculum topic covering data interpretation.
Systematic review and meta-analysis - Professor Michael Harris discusses the use of systematic review, meta-analysis and the use of forest and funnel plots.
Interpreting diagnostic test statistics - Professor Michael Harris discusses with GP Specialist Trainees common statistical concepts.
Interpreting risk – Professor Michael Harris discussing how to interpret risk and present the effectiveness of a treatment.
How to interpret the results of a randomised control trial - tutorial with Professor Michael Harris discussing data interpretation.
Tips for the administrative and data interpretation sections of the AKT
- Data interpretation topics (PDF file, 108 KB)
- Primary Care organisation and management tips (PDF file, 109 KB)
Example AKT questions and answers
Download the following documents to see 50 AKT practice questions and the answers:
Each online issue of InnovAiT contains questions and answers to help GP registrars identify their educational needs. There are more issues available from our archive. Access InnovAiT online.
Interactive tutorial of practice exam
On the day of the exam before sitting the AKT, you'll do a practice tutorial with example questions. It should help to familiarise you with the look and feel of the AKT testing platform.
See an example of a Pearson VUE practice tutorial.