Preparing for the RACGP exams can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Common RACGP exam mistakes frequently undermine capable candidates, preventing them from passing their GP exams on the first attempt. By knowing these pitfalls and using proven gp exam tips, you can avoid common errors and significantly increase your chances of success. Drawing on years of experience as an examiner and mentor, I'll guide you through the 10 most frequent mistakes GP trainees make and practical strategies to overcome them.
Starting Practice Questions Too Late
Starting your practice questions too late is one of the most common errors candidates make. Leaving question practice until the final weeks limits your ability to identify weaknesses, develop effective exam strategies, and build the stamina you need for a 4-hour exam.
- Begin practising exam-style questions at least 3 to 6 months before your exam date.
- Regular timed practice sessions simulate the real exam environment and reduce anxiety.
- In the 2024.2 AKT exam cycle, first-attempt candidates achieved a pass rate of 91.3%, while fourth-attempt candidates had just 23.9%, demonstrating the power of early preparation [1].
- Track weekly progress to spot recurring weaknesses early and refine your study plan.
Practical tip:
If you struggle with dermatology or ECG interpretation, dedicate targeted sessions early to develop these core competencies.
Neglecting the KFP Reasoning Format
The KFP exam is not a memory test, it assesses clinical reasoning and decision-making. Many candidates fail because they treat it like a recall exercise instead of demonstrating logical thinking.
- Focus on key decision points: diagnostic reasoning, investigations, and immediate management.
- Keep your responses concise and relevant.
- As of July 2025, the KFP comprises 70 multi-selection questions completed in 4 hours, reinforcing the need for accuracy and efficient reasoning [2].
- RACGP exam reports repeatedly note that candidates lose marks for providing irrelevant details or unfocused answers [2].
Practical tip:
When practising, write down your reasoning for each case. Explaining your thought process trains you to think like an examiner.
Not Studying From Official Guidelines
Using outdated or non-Australian resources can cost you marks. The RACGP expects candidates to use current national guidelines that reflect best practice in Australian primary care.
- Review the RACGP Red Book (preventive care), Therapeutic Guidelines (eTG), and Australian Immunisation Handbook.
- Incorporate PBS-listed therapies and management algorithms from the Australian Prescriber.
- Active learning using up-to-date guidelines improves exam outcomes compared with passive reading [3].
Practical tip:
Allocate one study session weekly to reviewing newly released guideline updates relevant to general practice.
Over-Focusing on Rare Topics
Overemphasising rare diseases is a time trap. RACGP exams focus primarily on common, high-yield presentations encountered in everyday GP practice.
- 48% of GP consultations involve the 30 most common conditions, such as hypertension, diabetes, depression, respiratory infections, and preventive care [4].
- Prioritise these topics over uncommon diseases to align with exam emphasis.
Practical tip:
Use the RACGP curriculum as your map. Ensure you can confidently manage the top chronic and acute presentations seen in general practice.
Ignoring Feedback From Practice Cases
Failing to apply feedback keeps you stuck at the same level. Reviewing your mistakes critically is one of the most effective ways to improve exam performance.
- Maintain a “learning log” of incorrect answers or weak areas.
- Seek feedback from supervisors or study partners and revisit corrected cases.
- RACGP examiners frequently report candidates repeating the same reasoning mistakes, such as missing red flags or failing to prioritise urgent management [1].
Practical tip:
After each mock exam, analyse why you got a question wrong, not just what the right answer was.
Relying on Passive Study Methods
Passive study, such as rereading notes or highlighting text, may feel productive but doesn’t prepare you for real exam pressure.
- Replace passive study with active recall: quiz yourself, teach peers, or write practice summaries.
- Use spaced repetition flashcards to reinforce long-term memory.
- Research shows active engagement improves knowledge retention and retrieval accuracy [3].
Practical tip:
Convert your reading into short-answer questions and attempt them daily.
Underestimating the CCE’s Communication Component
Strong communication often separates pass from fail. Many candidates with correct diagnoses lose marks because they fail to demonstrate empathy, patient partnership, and clarity.
- The Clinical Competency Exam (CCE) consists of 9 cases, each 15 minutes long with a 5-minute reading period, conducted online via Zoom [5].
- The CCE assesses communication, professionalism, and reasoning as much as clinical accuracy.
- RACGP examiners highlight poor rapport-building, excessive jargon, or missing patient concerns as common reasons for failure [1].
Practical tip:
Role-play real cases with peers. Focus on open questioning, summarising, and safety-netting.
Failing to Build Exam-Day Stamina
RACGP exams are long, intense, and require sustained concentration. Many candidates perform poorly simply because they run out of mental energy halfway through.
- Regularly practise full-length, 4-hour mock exams under timed conditions to build endurance.
- Gradually increase your study block lengths to mirror exam conditions.
- Candidates who perform repeated full-length simulations report improved focus, reduced fatigue, and better pacing [3].
Practical tip:
Treat your study plan like a training program, balance high-intensity practice with adequate rest.
Not Reviewing Marking Criteria
You may know the content but still lose marks if your answers don’t match the marking framework. Understanding how the RACGP allocates marks is crucial.
- Review the marking guidelines in the RACGP exam handbook for AKT, KFP, and CCE.
- Tailor your answers to reflect the specific marking domains (reasoning, communication, management).
- Candidates unaware of partial marking rules often lose points for incomplete answers [1].
Practical tip:
Practise writing responses using concise, structured language, clear, relevant, and directly tied to what the question asks.
Leaving Study Resources Too Late
Leaving your study planning until the final weeks limits your learning depth. Candidates who start earlier have time to refine their weaknesses and build confidence.
- Acquire study resources (question banks, workshops, guidelines) at least 6 months before the exam.
- Consistently integrate them into your weekly routine rather than cramming at the end.
- In the 2019.2 KFP cycle, 62% of candidates who completed the RACGP practice exam passed the real KFP, compared with 31% who did not attempt it [3].
Practical tip:
Schedule a monthly checkpoint to assess progress and adjust your study priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Top 10 Mistakes GP Trainees Make When Preparing for the RACGP Exams?
The top mistakes include starting practice questions too late, ignoring the clinical reasoning required for KFP, relying on passive learning methods, studying outdated guidelines, over-focusing on rare topics, neglecting feedback, underestimating communication in CCE, inadequate stamina preparation, failing to review RACGP marking criteria, and delaying the use of critical study resources [1,2,3].
How to study for GP exams?
Use active learning techniques such as self-testing, flashcards, and spaced repetition rather than passive reading. Regularly practise exam-style questions in timed conditions. Refer closely to current Australian clinical guidelines (eTG, RACGP Red Book, Australian Immunisation Handbook) and participate in structured study groups and workshops to reinforce knowledge and reasoning [1,3].
What are KFP questions?
Key Feature Problem (KFP) questions assess your clinical reasoning skills rather than pure knowledge recall. Each question presents a clinical scenario requiring concise answers focused on diagnosis, investigation, or immediate management. The RACGP’s KFP exam currently consists of 70 multi-selection questions completed in 4 hours [2].
What is the Murtagh's restricted rule out framework?
Murtagh’s restricted rule-out framework guides clinical reasoning by focusing first on serious conditions ("red flags") that must be urgently excluded, followed by common conditions, less likely conditions, and masquerades. This structured approach ensures safe clinical decision-making and efficient problem-solving in primary care, crucial for both KFP and clinical practice [4].
What is the new KFP format?
As of July 2025, the KFP exam consists of 70 multi-selection questions, each requiring careful selection of multiple correct answers without providing irrelevant details. The exam duration is 4 hours, completed on paper-based answer sheets [2].
What is the best way to pass an examination?
To effectively pass an examination, start preparation early (at least 6 months ahead), focus on high-yield topics, practise under realistic exam conditions, actively engage with Australian guidelines, seek continuous feedback, and build stamina with full-length mock exams. Research shows early, structured preparation dramatically improves exam outcomes [1,3].
What are the best ways to prepare for an exam?
The most effective ways include structured active recall, spaced repetition, regular timed question practice, following RACGP marking criteria, studying current Australian guidelines (eTG, RACGP resources), maintaining a clear study schedule, and using proven resources like official practice exams and flashcards [1,3].
How to start a GP essay?
Start your GP essay clearly by restating the clinical scenario succinctly, outlining your intended structure or approach, and directly addressing the clinical question or issue presented. Prioritise concise, clinically relevant points reflecting RACGP marking criteria, and ensure your arguments are evidence-based, citing current Australian guidelines and literature clearly.
What to avoid during an examination?
Avoid common pitfalls such as spending too long on difficult questions, giving vague or overly broad answers, failing to read questions thoroughly, not following marking criteria, poor time management, and ignoring key red flags or urgent conditions. Efficient time management and structured responses aligned with RACGP expectations maximise marks [1,3].
What is the situational Judgement test for RACGP?
Situational Judgement Tests (SJTs) assess your ability to manage realistic clinical scenarios by evaluating your professional judgement, decision-making, and ethical reasoning. Although the RACGP does not currently include a standalone SJT, similar skills are assessed in the Clinical Competency Exam (CCE) through practical scenarios testing professionalism, communication, and clinical reasoning [5].
How to score well in GP?
To score well, consistently practise applying clinical reasoning frameworks, actively engage with case-based scenarios, align responses closely with RACGP marking criteria, and regularly revise common GP presentations using authoritative Australian resources. Practice exams and targeted feedback greatly improve clinical accuracy and exam performance [1,3].
How to boost your brain before an exam?
Enhance cognitive performance through adequate sleep, regular physical exercise, healthy nutrition, and mindfulness techniques. Studies indicate these lifestyle factors positively impact memory, concentration, and stress management, leading to better exam performance [6].
How to get 100% on a test?
Achieving a high score requires thorough understanding of exam content and format, rigorous practice of exam-style questions, precise adherence to guidelines, and meticulous time management. While achieving 100% is rare in RACGP exams due to their complexity, using active learning and systematic preparation can significantly boost your scores [1,3].
What is the most effective way to prepare for an exam?
The most effective preparation involves structured revision plans, active learning methods (practice tests, flashcards), engagement with official guidelines and RACGP resources, consistent performance feedback, stamina-building mock exams, and peer-supported study groups to clarify concepts and reinforce learning [1,3].
If you find RACGP exam preparation overwhelming, Fellow Academy is here to help. We provide high-quality AKT and KFP question banks, concise comprehensive exam notes, and evidence-based flashcards tailored to GP trainees. You’ll also find supportive webinars, free KFP case packs, and practical study resources to guide you every step of the way.
References
[1] Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. (2024, December). Examination report 2024.2 Applied Knowledge Test (AKT). East Melbourne, VIC: RACGP.
[2] Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. (2025, July 31). AKT and KFP information for candidates. East Melbourne, VIC: RACGP.
[3] Liotta, M. for RACGP newsGP. (2019, September 11). RACGP’s KFP exam report: Tips to improve outcomes. East Melbourne, VIC: RACGP.
[4] Glasziou, P., Britt, H., Cooke, G., & Valenti, L. (2013). Common general practice presentations and publication frequency. Australian Family Physician, 42(1), 65–68.
[5] Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. (2025, July). CCE Candidate Information. East Melbourne, VIC: RACGP.
Disclaimer: This content is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or representative of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). The strategies and approaches shared are based on personal experience and the experiences of other GP candidates who successfully passed their exams. They are intended as general study guidance only and should not be taken as official RACGP advice.
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