Questions
160
Single-best-answer style questions, updated from the previous 200-question format in October 2025.
MRCGP AKT exam format, sections and marking
The Applied Knowledge Test is the computer-based MRCGP knowledge exam for GP trainees. The current format is shorter than the old 200-question exam, but the pacing is tighter: one question per minute across clinical, evidence and organisation topics.
Quick answer
From October 2025, the MRCGP AKT has 160 single-best-answer questions in 2 hours 40 minutes. The exam is 80% clinical knowledge, 10% evidence-based practice and 10% primary care organisation and management. There is no negative marking, and the pass mark varies by sitting.
Current AKT format at a glance
Duration
2 hours 40 minutes
One minute per question. Pacing matters because the exam rewards efficient clinical problem-solving.
Clinical
80%
The largest section, focused on UK general practice clinical knowledge and problem-solving.
Evidence + admin
20%
10% evidence-based practice and 10% primary care organisation and management.
What the AKT tests
Clinical knowledge
80%Most AKT questions test applied clinical knowledge in UK general practice. The RCGP curriculum topic guides are the best map of the areas you need to cover.
Evidence-based practice
10%This includes evidence interpretation, critical appraisal, diagnostic-test statistics, risk, confidence intervals, study design and graph interpretation.
Organisation and management
10%This includes administrative, ethical, regulatory and statutory frameworks, plus common professional and primary care systems questions.
Marking and pass mark
There is no negative marking in the AKT, so leaving questions blank is not a good strategy. The pass mark is not fixed in advance. RCGP standard-setting guidance explains that the pass mark varies by sitting because it reflects the measured difficulty of the paper.
Recent official feedback reports show pass marks of 107/160 in April 2026, 108/160 in January 2026 and 109/160 in October 2025. For planning, use timed mocks to build a margin above recent pass marks rather than aiming for a borderline score.
Eligibility, attempts and sitting
The RCGP says trainees can take the AKT during or after ST2. A maximum of four attempts applies to trainees already in training on 1 August 2023. A maximum of six attempts applies to trainees entering GP specialty training for the first time on or after 2 August 2023.
The exam is computer-based and sat at Pearson VUE test centres. RCGP runs it four times a year in January, April, July and October. Check the current AKT exam dates before choosing a sitting, use the AKT exam-day guide for Pearson VUE logistics, and use the AKT syllabus guide to map what the exam can test.
AKT format FAQ
How many questions are in the MRCGP AKT?
From October 2025, the RCGP AKT has 160 single-best-answer style questions answered in 2 hours 40 minutes. Before October 2025, the exam used 200 questions in 3 hours 10 minutes.
How much time do you get per AKT question?
The current format gives one minute per question: 160 questions in 160 minutes. Timed practice is important because candidates need to move on when uncertain.
Is there negative marking in the AKT?
No. The RCGP standard-setting FAQ says there is no negative marking in the AKT, so candidates should answer every question.
What is the AKT pass mark?
There is no fixed pass mark. The pass mark varies by sitting because the RCGP adjusts it to reflect measured difficulty using standard-setting and equating methods.
Official sources
Exam-format details should be checked against the RCGP before booking. Last reviewed June 2026.
October sitting
Oct 26
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days
Keep moving, even on tired days.
Questions, mocks and explanations are free. Your first 2 hours of AKT audio are free. Full 4-month audio access is £79.