How KFP Marking Works (and How to Maximise Your Score)

Here is something you might not realise, you absolutely do not need perfect answers to pass the KFP exam. If perfection is something you have been striving for, it is time to adjust your expectations, and feel some relief.

Consider these reassuring facts:

• The pass mark for the 2024.2 KFP exam was 56.70%, with candidates averaging 60.66% [1].
• In the 2025.1 KFP exam, although the pass mark rose slightly to 60.63%, the overall pass rate significantly improved, reaching 76.89% [2].

What does this mean for you practically?

• Partial credit means you can miss several details and still accumulate enough marks to pass comfortably.
• Exam success is about consistent accuracy rather than flawless responses.
• Accumulating partial marks systematically can easily carry you above the pass threshold.

Remember, examiners are not looking for textbook perfect answers, they are assessing your overall clinical decision making ability [1], [2].

The KFP exam employs a partial credit system designed to reward every correct clinical choice you make. Each of the 70 exam questions contributes equally, approximately 1.43% per question, to your total exam score [2],[4], [6].

Here is exactly how the system works:

• There is no negative marking for incorrect answers, provided you select only the number of responses asked for by the question [4],[5].
• Choosing additional answers beyond the number requested incurs a penalty of 0.35% deducted from your total exam score for each extra selection [4],[5].
• In the current format, each KFP case presents a fixed answer list from which you select multiple correct responses, and all questions are equally weighted. The exam moved to a multiple selection format with 70 standalone scenarios beginning with the 2025.2 cycle, while preserving assessment of clinical reasoning [6].
• Each correct answer you choose earns partial marks, meaning even if you do not select all correct options, you still gain valuable points.

To maximise your score:

• Always attempt every question fully.
• Never leave answers blank, as blank answers earn zero marks.
• Carefully select exactly the number of responses requested to avoid unnecessary penalties.

For a step by step checklist, see our internal KFP marking checklist for candidates, and for timing tactics, see our comprehensive AKT timing guide.

To fully understand how KFP marking functions in real world scenarios, let us consider a practical example:

Imagine a scenario asking you to identify the 3 most appropriate initial management steps for suspected community acquired pneumonia. According to the marking criteria used in many teaching examples, the correct answers are, prescribe amoxicillin, order a chest X ray, and schedule follow up within 48 hours [3].

Here is how full and partial credits play out:

• Full Credit Answer: Choosing all 3 correct options earns complete marks for that question.
• Partial Credit Answer: Correctly choosing amoxicillin and ordering the chest X ray but incorrectly selecting unnecessary blood cultures instead of scheduling follow up earns 66% of the available marks for that item.

A vital tip here, KFP marking awards no credit for near misses. Selecting a general term like “antibiotics” instead of the specifically required “amoxicillin” earns no marks. Always aim for precision and specificity in your answers [3].

Awareness of common pitfalls can protect your score significantly. RACGP examiners consistently highlight several repeated errors candidates make, causing unnecessary mark loss:

• Misreading the question: Candidates often lose marks by “not reading the question properly” or providing responses that are “not relevant to the patient” [2].
• Selecting irrelevant options: Medically correct yet irrelevant answers earn no marks at all [2].
• Unsafe or contraindicated choices: Selecting any option considered clinically unsafe can result in receiving zero marks for the entire question, even if other choices were correct [4],[5]
• Over answering: Selecting more answers than requested incurs a penalty of 0.35% per extra answer, an entirely avoidable mistake [4],[5].
• Leaving answers blank: Blank responses always earn zero points. Complete every required answer slot [4],[5]
• Lack of specificity: Generic answers like “blood tests” rather than specific choices like “TSH levels” earn no credit. Be precise [3]

Taking care to avoid these mistakes will help maximise your chances of exam success. For more strategies and guidance, check out our comprehensive KFP exam preparation guide.

Effective self marking transforms your study routine from merely answering questions into actively improving your exam performance. Here is how to do this effectively:

• Use examiner style marking keys: Consistently compare your practice answers against detailed marking keys provided in reliable resources like the RACGP examination guide and public reports [1], [4].
• Understand exactly why marks were lost: Identify patterns in your mistakes, such as repeatedly missing question instructions or selecting irrelevant responses.
• Simulate real exam conditions: Mark your practice attempts under realistic conditions, applying penalties for extra answers or unsafe responses accurately, and pacing yourself across 70 questions.
• Thoroughly study provided explanations: Carefully reviewing RACGP rationales clarifies exactly why certain answers earn marks or not, helping align your future responses with examiner expectations [1], [4].
• Track progress across different content areas: Identifying consistent weak spots, such as paediatrics, obstetrics, or mental health, helps target your revision and study time effectively.

For more strategies and guidance, check out our comprehensive KFP exam preparation guide and our AKT timing guide for pacing models that translate well to KFP sittings.

How is the KFP exam scored?

The KFP exam uses partial credit marking. Each of the 70 questions contributes equally, approximately 1.43% per question, and you earn incremental marks for each correct answer chosen. Incorrect choices do not subtract points provided you do not exceed the requested responses [2],[4],[5], [6].

Does the KFP award partial marks?

Yes, partial marks are central to KFP marking. If a question asks for 4 responses and you correctly choose 2, you earn half the available points for that question. Partial marks reward your clinical knowledge proportionally [4].

What is the pass mark for the KFP?

Typically, the pass mark ranges from about 55% to 60%. Recent examples include a pass mark of 56.70% in the 2024.2 KFP exam and 60.63% in the 2025.1 KFP exam [1], [2]. These standards are based on competency, not a fixed percentage.

Can I lose marks for incorrect answers?

You do not lose marks simply for incorrect responses within the allowed number. However, selecting more responses than asked results in a penalty of 0.35% per extra choice. Additionally, unsafe choices can result in zero marks for the entire question [4],[5]

How can I practically improve my KFP score through practice?

The most effective way to improve your KFP score is through regular practice, accurate self marking, and thorough review. Using detailed examiner style marking keys, recognising your common mistakes, and addressing weaknesses systematically will significantly enhance your exam performance [1] , [3], [4].