This MRCGP AKT feedback report will share unique insights from our 2021/2022 cohort of WellMedic trainees. In this blog, you will find our MRCGP AKT feedback report infographic highlighting the key findings.
The annual MRCGP AKT feedback report by WellMedic.co.uk
This MRCGP AKT feedback report will share unique insights from our 2021/2022 cohort of WellMedic trainees.
Since launching WellMedic in 2020, we have aimed to provide a genuine overview of the exam from a trainee’s perspective. Our MRCGP AKT feedback report further enhances our efforts by placing our last cohort at the centre of this approach.
In this blog, you will find our MRCGP AKT feedback report infographic highlighting the key findings. In addition to this, we will provide some additional context to each area.
We have recently noted several poorly answered AKT questions in Googles, “people also ask” section! At the end of this report, we will answer some of the commonly asked AKT questions on Google!
GP trainees find the MRCGP AKT difficult.
From our recent work with GP trainees, we are aware of how many trainees expect the exam to be difficult. Our survey concluded that trainees rated the exam on the more complex end of the spectrum. Furthermore, trainees rated the exam to be similar to their expectations.
We know that GP trainees expect the exam to be difficult; unfortunately, many find the exam’s challenge relatively high. This possibly explains why there is so much apprehension about the exam.
One in three trainees found the exam to be unfair!
The other way to look at this would be that two in three trainees found the exam fair, but we’d argue that 33% finding the exam unfair is still pretty high!
The real question to answer is why do trainees find the exam to be unfair?
In all honesty, there isn’t much that surprises us from this list as it’s very much the same issues we have built into our AKT preparation course. Here are some of the common themes from our MRCGP AKT feedback report;
“Lots of secondary care scenarios.”
“Why is ophthalmology so important?”
Although it may appear somewhat unfair, knowing a patient’s journey is essential, and most importantly, it’s included within the RCGP curriculum guide.
“Despite working so hard to prepare, the graphs are strange!”
We’ve been pushing the importance of graphs for evidence-based medicine since 2020, and little has changed on this front!
“There really isn’t much time to answer every question.”
We’re yet to encounter an exam where a trainee hasn’t rushed at least one-third of the exam. The time pressure of the exam is difficult, and we have used the feedback from trainees to build our seventh step on exam technique within our AKT preparation course.
Eighteen weeks of preparation time is a little long?
The average revision time calculated from within the survey was eighteen weeks. Now we appreciate that the mean isn’t the best descriptive stat for this, as you would naturally expect some degree of variation based on whether trainees had been preparing for multiple attempts. However, we had been quite specific in stipulating that this was for their final attempt at the AKT.
At our twelve-week AKT study day, we know that trainees are often in full swing of their revision process.
We expect that the eighteen-week timeframe will surprise many! Especially when there is quite a lot of disinformation around the exam. Without a doubt, trainees continue to hear that eight to twelve weeks is sufficient for the exam, which is simply untrue!
How do GP trainees prepare for the exam?
This is arguably the most important question of this MRCGP AKT feedback report. In total, trainees listed around fifty different resources for the AKT!
However, the four most common resources are;
NICE CKS, PassMedicine, GP Self Test and Fourteen Fish.
From our discussions with GP trainees following this AKT feedback report, we can confirm that although NICE CKS is a commonly used resource, trainees do stick to the summary page of the CKS, which isn’t quite enough for the AKT. You miss out on so much by sticking to this approach.
We go through NICE CKS and our entire recommended resource list in our AKT preparation course. We appreciate that the resource is just as vital as how you best utilise the resource, and this is how we approach this within our preparation course.
Before we discuss some of the commonly asked questions on Google, let’s take a moment to examine our MRCGP AKT resources. Here is a summary infographic showing how our trainee cohort rank our courses.
Our MRCGP AKT feedback report concludes that our content is ranked highly across all four courses. In addition to this, our trainees felt well prepared for the exam.
Unsurprisingly, our courses have been ranked highly in value for money, which is central to our ethos at WellMedic; our price point is accessible to all!
If you’d like to learn more about our courses, check out our dedicated MRCGP AKT courses page!
Commonly asked MRCGP AKT questions on Google!
What is a good AKT score?
There isn’t a “good score” for the MRCGP AKT. I suspect this question appears on Google, as we are pretty geared towards scoring highly on our exams, given the ranking process of the UKFPO.
The passing score has ranged between 138 to 142 marks since January 2021, so a good AKT score is anything surplus of 142.
For trainees interested in the Fraser Rose Medal scoring highly in the MRCGP AKT is essential. The Fraser Rose Medal is awarded annually to the candidate who has demonstrated outstanding performance to the MRCGP panel. Five trainees will be short-listed in the first instance based on their combined AKT and RCA scores.
What is the pass rate for the AKT?
The pass mark for the most recent MRCGP AKT was set at 142 marks out of 200 marks. The 71% pass mark is pretty usual for the AKT.
Generally speaking, the pass rate is higher amongst first-time takers at 80.37% to 60.31% of all candidates.
How does this compare to your score in the question banks?
In all honestly, a score of 71% in your question bank of choice will not guarantee you a pass within the AKT. Question banks do not reflect the MRCGP AKT, so to secure your 71%, you must push beyond the question banks!
How many people pass the AKT first time?
According to the most recent AKT feedback report, four in five trainees taking the AKT for the first time will pass the MRCGP AKT, which is broadly similar to previous exams.
Is GP self test good for the AKT?
GP self test is a good resource for the AKT. You have over 2,000 free questions directly from the RCGP, some of which reflect the MRCGP AKT. However, tracking how many of their questions you have answered is difficult, and the explanations are somewhat limited and infrequently outdated.
Is GP self test harder than the AKT?
It very much depends on the question you are answering, as some of the epidemiology questions are trickier than the AKT. Very few questions are easier than the AKT, but in terms of being most reflective, the format and style are closest to the actual AKT.
When should I take the AKT?
There isn’t a right time to take the MRCGP AKT. You can take the exam from the beginning of your ST2 year, which is held three times per year.
We explore three questions within our guide; “How should I revise for the MRCGP AKT? The complete MRCGP AKT revision guide!” Which will help guide you to the perfect time of when you should take the AKT.
1. Have you undertaken a GP rotation?
2. Do you have enough time to revise?
3. Is it sensible to leave a big gap from your AKT to your RCA?
How difficult is the AKT?
The MRCGP AKT is a challenging exam with a significant failure rate, and recent reports show up to one in three candidates fail the exam. As mentioned earlier in the AKT feedback report, candidates do expect the exam to be difficult.
Given the high challenge, it’s essential to plan and prepare systematically and you can use “Your personalised WellMedic MRCGP AKT revision plan!”
How can I get a high AKT score?
Scoring highly on the AKT requires a broad strategy whilst paying very close attention to the RCGP curriculum guide. If you’re pretty strong in your clinical topic areas, you should find that fine-tuning your knowledge from the primary guidance will give you the best shot at scoring very highly.
How do you revise for the AKT?
We cover the following in this guide;
What is the MRCGP AKT?
What are the common MRCGP AKT mistakes?
How to avoid the MRCGP AKT mistakes! WellMedic top AKT tips.
When should I sit the MRCGP AKT?
Create your personalised AKT revision plan!
Which is the best MRCGP AKT question bank to use?
Do not run out of time!
What are the best AKT revision resources?
How to prepare for the MRCGP AKT statistics?
How to prepare for the MRCGP AKT administration?
What happens if I fail the AKT?
A maximum of four attempts are allowed per trainee before any possibilities of an extension within training. This is why you must carefully plan when you first take the AKT.
Failing the exam is not uncommon, and we have a dedicated section within our AKT preparation course on why trainees fail and how you can avoid common mistakes!
If you fail the AKT, dust yourself off and go again!
We hope you have enjoyed reading this report, if you have any questions, please get in touch here!
