Pass the RACGP Exams: Tips From Top Scoring Fellows

Every GP registrar knows that feeling: the quiet dread of opening exam results, the uncertainty over whether your study strategies were effective enough. Feeling nervous does not mean you are unprepared or inadequate; it simply shows how much you care about becoming a capable GP. Successful RACGP Fellows consistently share that structured study plans, smart resource selection, and exam-day composure make a profound difference, far more than innate intelligence or luck.

This guide is filled with practical, evidence-based how to pass GP exam tips, real-world gp exam success stories, and actionable racgp pass rate advice, helping you confidently prepare for your Fellowship exams.

The RACGP Fellowship consists of three challenging but achievable exams:

• Applied Knowledge Test (AKT):
• Approximately 150 multiple-choice questions completed over 4 hours, testing clinical knowledge, diagnostic reasoning, and decision-making abilities [1, 2].
• Key Feature Problem (KFP):
• As of 2025.2, the KFP is a paper-based multiple selection exam with 70 scenarios, each answered on a bubble sheet, lasting 4 hours [1]. Each question contributes 1.43% of the overall score, with a 0.35% penalty applied for each additional bubble shaded beyond what is requested [1]. This format focuses on case-specific clinical reasoning and safe decision-making.
• Clinical Competency Exam (CCE):
• A practical, scenario-based exam assessing consultation and communication skills. In 2024.1, the CCE recorded a pass rate of 89.10% (711 of 798 candidates), while 2025.1 showed an overall pass rate of 79.66% [3, 4]. The structure remains 9 cases delivered via Zoom across 2 sessions [4, 12].

These exams test not only what you know but how effectively you apply your knowledge in real-world general practice.

Starting your preparation 6 to 12 months ahead gives you the strongest foundation for success. Most successful Fellows dedicate about 10 to 15 hours per week to study over several months, balancing this alongside clinical work [5].

Why early preparation matters:

• Strengthens long-term memory through regular revision and spaced repetition.
• Allows incremental, structured learning without burnout.
• Reduces anxiety by avoiding last-minute cramming.

Common challenges for GP trainees:

• Managing study while handling busy clinical loads.
• Preventing fatigue and burnout from combined responsibilities.
• Staying consistent with a structured plan across months of preparation.

Many registrars gradually reduce consulting hours closer to the exam to allow time for focused revision and practice exams. For structured timelines and planners, visit Fellow Academy’s AKT and KFP study guide to map your study blocks effectively.

Choosing high-quality, exam-aligned resources dramatically improves outcomes. The data speak clearly:

• In the 2019.1 AKT, candidates who completed the official online practice exam achieved a 69.8% pass rate, compared with 35.8% for those who did not [6].
• In the 2019.1 KFP, the same trend occurred: candidates who attempted the official practice exam achieved a 64.2% pass rate, compared with 35.1% for non-attempters [7].
• The 2025.2 cycle recorded strong national pass rates, with AKT 79.41% and KFP 79.57% [8].

Primary resources to prioritise:

• Therapeutic Guidelines (eTG) for evidence-based management [9].
• RACGP Red Book for preventive activities [10].
• Australian Immunisation Handbook for vaccination schedules and clinical scenarios [11].

Real-world examples of effective resource use:

• A registrar who had previously failed multiple attempts introduced structured daily flashcards and weekly practice sessions, achieving success in the next cycle.
• Another registrar used concise mobile notes and eTG lookups during breaks between patients, maximising revision time throughout the workday.

For curated notes, question banks, and full-length mock exams, explore Fellow Academy’s RACGP preparation hub.

The Fellowship exams evaluate your clinical reasoning, your ability to apply knowledge safely and logically. Strengthening this skill requires deliberate practice and reflection.

High-yield strategies for clinical reasoning:

• Focus on conditions frequently encountered in Australian general practice, based on RACGP Health of the Nation data and recent public exam reports [8, 13].
• Use Murtagh’s diagnostic framework, considering the most likely diagnosis, serious conditions not to miss, and patient perspective.
• After each clinic day, reflect on 2 to 3 patient cases. Revisit relevant guidelines that evening to reinforce learning.

RACGP assessment advisors highlight that “the biggest tip for candidates is to learn from seeing patients every day in general practice” [4]. Discuss cases weekly with peers or mentors, and simulate focused KFP-style questions under exam timing to reinforce this reasoning.

Mastering exam technique and pacing is as critical as mastering content.

• The AKT’s 150 items over 4 hours equate to about 1.6 minutes per question. Practise completing question blocks within these time limits [2].
• For the KFP, rehearse reading prompts precisely to avoid the 0.35% penalty for extra bubbles [1].
• Always read carefully for qualifiers like “initial,” “most appropriate,” and “next step,” as these words shift context and scoring focus.

Exam-day readiness checklist:

• Practise mindfulness or short breathing resets between question blocks to sustain focus.
• Ensure adequate rest, hydration, and nutrition before sitting a 4-hour exam.
• For the CCE, rehearse clear case openings, focused data gathering, and structured explanations via video, mirroring the actual online setting [12].

For detailed pacing templates and practice blocks, access Fellow Academy’s AKT timing and CCE simulation resources.

Real-life gp exam success stories illustrate what persistence and planning can achieve:

• A registrar who failed twice transformed performance by converting all incorrect answers into flashcards and holding weekly peer review sessions.
• Another candidate structured revision into daily 30-minute micro-sessions and longer weekend study blocks, prioritising consistency over volume.
• One Fellow overcame severe anxiety by integrating brief daily mindfulness routines with realistic mock consultations.

CCE data further highlight the importance of being fully prepared: in 2024.1, the first-attempt pass rate was 92.56%, and the third-attempt rate was 38.89%. In 2025.1, these figures were 83.86% and 46.15% respectively [3, 4]. The takeaway? Aim to clear the exam on your first sitting by preparing comprehensively.

For more motivating stories, visit Fellow Academy’s testimonials page.

Peak performance is impossible without wellbeing. Candidates who perform best treat self-care as part of their study strategy.

Practical wellbeing habits:

• Plan downtime, short breaks between study blocks improve memory retention.
• Maintain consistent sleep patterns and light daily exercise.
• Use brief mindfulness resets between study sessions to manage stress.

Explore Fellow Academy’s wellbeing tools for daily checklists, guided mindfulness audio, and weekly reset routines tailored to busy GP trainees preparing for 4-hour exams and CCE simulations.