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Dr Shaun Tan, FRACGP, MD, BMSC
Medical Examiner | Associate Lecturer
Scored 90% on the AKT & Top 15th percentile in the KFP
You're driven to become a GP because you deeply care about patient outcomes. You want the knowledge and confidence that enables you to make crucial clinical decisions, but the path to RACGP Fellowship feels daunting, even overwhelming at times.
The RACGP written exams, AKT vs KFP, stand as major hurdles, making even the most dedicated trainees and IMGs question their abilities. You might have heard stories: peers who've passed the AKT effortlessly yet found themselves stuck attempting the KFP multiple times, or vice versa.
Having been through this journey myself, scoring 90% in the AKT and achieving the top 15th percentile in the KFP, I understand firsthand how daunting these exams feel. To help you confidently navigate this uncertainty, this blog carefully explores the key differences between the AKT and KFP exams, analyses pass rate statistics, and offers practical, exam-proven strategies to help you succeed in both.
Let’s clearly break down the AKT and KFP exams and figure out exactly how you should approach them.
Overview: The RACGP Exam Structure
The AKT (Applied Knowledge Test) and KFP (Key Feature Problem) exams each test different yet complementary GP competencies. While the AKT assesses broad factual clinical knowledge, the KFP specifically evaluates clinical reasoning and your ability to apply your medical knowledge in realistic patient scenarios [1,2].
Both exams require different skill sets:
AKT demands rapid recall and wide-ranging clinical knowledge.
KFP emphasises detailed clinical reasoning and patient-specific decision-making.
Understanding this distinction early can drastically enhance your targeted exam preparation.
Key Differences Between the AKT and KFP Exams
Question Format
AKT: 150 single best answer multiple choice questions (MCQs) covering all clinical domains within general practice [1].
KFP: Recently updated in 2025, the KFP exam now includes 70 multiple selection questions, each scenario requiring identification of several clinically relevant answers from provided options [2].
Time Pressure
AKT: You have roughly 1.5 minutes per question (4 hours total), so speed and time management are crucial [1].
KFP: You’ll have approximately 3 to 4 minutes per scenario, across 4 hours, allowing for deeper clinical consideration per question [2].
Skill Focus: Knowledge and Clinical Reasoning
AKT: Tests breadth of knowledge across the RACGP curriculum, from clinical guidelines to preventive health strategies.
KFP: Tests in-depth clinical judgement, requiring you to precisely identify and apply relevant clinical features for patient management [1,2].
Should You Sit AKT and KFP Together?
Deciding whether to sit both exams simultaneously requires careful reflection:
Advantages of Sitting Both Together:
Efficient study due to considerable curriculum overlap.
Sustained exam momentum can maintain your confidence and motivation.
Holistic clinical understanding due to integrated exam preparation.
Potential Risks:
Higher likelihood of burnout and stress due to intensive preparation load.
Risk of reduced confidence and motivation if performance dips in one exam.
Effective Strategies:
Many trainees successfully sit both exams in a single exam cycle, strategically benefiting from integrated study.
Use structured, balanced study plans to ensure adequate coverage and minimise burnout.
Recommended AKT and KFP Resources
Using quality AKT KFP resources significantly boosts your chances of success:
Official RACGP resources, including SAPTs, public exam reports, and curriculum guides [5].
John Murtagh’s General Practice, essential for comprehensive coverage of common clinical scenarios in Australian GP [6].
Therapeutic Guidelines (eTG Complete), providing trusted evidence-based clinical recommendations [7].
GPSA resources tailored specifically for GP registrars and supervisors [8].
Structured external exam preparation courses offering mock exams, guided explanations, and expert mentorship.
Ace Both Exams: The AKT and KFP Preparation Bundle
Fellow Academy’s integrated AKT and KFP Preparation Bundle provides structured support to confidently tackle both exams. Our bundle includes structured study schedules, comprehensive AKT questions, detailed KFP clinical scenarios, targeted study advice, and personalised mentorship.
Leveraging structured exam preparation will significantly reduce exam anxiety, enhance your confidence, and greatly improve your likelihood of exam success.
FAQs on AKT vs KFP Exams
1. Which RACGP exam is harder, AKT or KFP?
Historically, the KFP exam has been more challenging, with an average pass rate of approximately 71%, compared to about 81% for the AKT between 2021 and 2024 [9]. Its emphasis on complex clinical reasoning is typically more demanding.
2. How do AKT and KFP differ in format?
AKT consists of 150 MCQs, testing rapid recall and broad knowledge [1].
KFP includes 70 multiple selection scenario-based questions (since 2025), testing clinical reasoning in depth [2].
3. How many questions and how long is each exam?
AKT: 150 questions in 4 hours, around 1.5 minutes per question [1].
KFP: 70 scenarios in 4 hours, about 3 to 4 minutes per scenario [2]. Exams typically held on consecutive days.
4. What is the best strategy to prepare for the KFP exam?
Consistently practice clinical scenario-based questions.
Clearly and swiftly identify patient-specific key clinical features.
Regularly review RACGP’s KFP public exam reports and SAPTs [2,5].
Study clinical guidelines comprehensively and apply them in practice scenarios.
5. What AKT and KFP resources are essential?
Essential exam resources include RACGP SAPTs and reports, John Murtagh’s General Practice, Therapeutic Guidelines (eTG), structured external preparation courses, and peer study groups [5,6,7].
How to Prepare for Both Exams Efficiently
Preparing efficiently for both AKT and KFP involves careful planning and strategic resource selection:
Create a combined study plan, balancing broad AKT knowledge revision with detailed KFP scenario practice.
Select integrated study resources (such as Fellow Academy’s combined [AKT and KFP exam preparation bundles]) designed specifically to complement each other.
Regularly alternate practice sessions between rapid-fire AKT MCQs and in-depth KFP clinical reasoning scenarios.
Reflect critically on your answers using RACGP SAPTs and resources to constantly improve and fine-tune your reasoning and recall abilities [5].
How Preparation Differs for Each Exam
AKT: Breadth of Knowledge
Preparing for the AKT involves thorough coverage of the RACGP curriculum, specifically:
Regularly revising Australian clinical guidelines, such as Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) criteria and the Australian immunisation schedules [3,4].
Completing hundreds of practice MCQs, ideally using RACGP Self-Assessment Practice Tests (SAPTs), to build speed, accuracy, and familiarity with exam style [5].
Focusing on strict timing strategies, aiming to confidently answer 150 questions within the allocated 4-hour exam timeframe.
Identifying and addressing personal knowledge gaps using essential resources such as John Murtagh’s General Practice [6].
(For detailed tips, see our comprehensive [AKT timing guide].)
KFP: Applied Clinical Decision Making
Effective KFP preparation is fundamentally about sharpening your clinical reasoning and decision-making:
Regularly practice scenario-based questions, swiftly identifying critical clinical features that influence management.
Practice carefully selecting precise and clinically relevant management actions per scenario, avoiding overly generic answers, a common pitfall identified by RACGP examiners [2].
Consistently study and apply current Australian clinical guidelines, using Therapeutic Guidelines (eTG) as your primary reference [7].
(Enhance your KFP prep with our free [KFP case packs].)
If exam stress is affecting your confidence, remember Fellow Academy is here to guide you. Our high-quality AKT and KFP exam resources include carefully developed question banks, concise exam notes, evidence-based flashcards, and practical webinars. We provide the structured support you need to achieve your RACGP Fellowship goals confidently.
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.
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.
References
[1] General Practice Supervisors Australia. (2025). GP supervisor resources for supporting registrars in exam preparation. GPSA.
https://gpsa.org.au/about-us/our-resources/supervision-support/
[2] Murtagh, J. (2021). John Murtagh’s General Practice (8th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education Australia.
https://murtagh.mhmedical.com/book.aspx?bookID=3133
[3] Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. (2024). RACGP exam pass rates 2021–2024. RACGP Public Exam Reports.
https://www.racgp.org.au/education/fracgp-exams/racgp-exams/exam-results
[4]Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. (2025a). AKT candidate handbook and exam format. RACGP Education Division.
https://www.racgp.org.au/kfp-and-akt-exam-day-information
[5] Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. (2025b). KFP candidate handbook and exam format. RACGP Education Division.
https://www.racgp.org.au/kfp-and-akt-exam-day-information
[6] Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. (2025c). Self-Assessment Practice Tests (SAPTs). RACGP gplearning.
https://www.racgp.org.au/education/professional-development/online-learning/gplearning
[7] Therapeutic Guidelines Limited. (2024). eTG Complete. Therapeutic Guidelines Ltd, Melbourne, VIC
AKT Exam Preparation: Study Strategies That Work
AKT vs KFP: Which RACGP Exam Is Harder (and How to Prepare for Both)
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Dr Shaun Tan, FRACGP, MD, BMSC
Medical Examiner | Associate Lecturer
Scored 90% on the AKT & Top 15th percentile in the KFP
Summary
You're driven to become a GP because you deeply care about patient outcomes. You want the knowledge and confidence that enables you to make crucial clinical decisions, but the path to RACGP Fellowship feels daunting, even overwhelming at times.
The RACGP written exams, AKT vs KFP, stand as major hurdles, making even the most dedicated trainees and IMGs question their abilities. You might have heard stories: peers who've passed the AKT effortlessly yet found themselves stuck attempting the KFP multiple times, or vice versa.
Having been through this journey myself, scoring 90% in the AKT and achieving the top 15th percentile in the KFP, I understand firsthand how daunting these exams feel. To help you confidently navigate this uncertainty, this blog carefully explores the key differences between the AKT and KFP exams, analyses pass rate statistics, and offers practical, exam-proven strategies to help you succeed in both.
Let’s clearly break down the AKT and KFP exams and figure out exactly how you should approach them.
Overview: The RACGP Exam Structure
The AKT (Applied Knowledge Test) and KFP (Key Feature Problem) exams each test different yet complementary GP competencies. While the AKT assesses broad factual clinical knowledge, the KFP specifically evaluates clinical reasoning and your ability to apply your medical knowledge in realistic patient scenarios [1,2].
Both exams require different skill sets:
AKT demands rapid recall and wide-ranging clinical knowledge.
KFP emphasises detailed clinical reasoning and patient-specific decision-making.
Understanding this distinction early can drastically enhance your targeted exam preparation.
Key Differences Between the AKT and KFP Exams
Question Format
AKT: 150 single best answer multiple choice questions (MCQs) covering all clinical domains within general practice [1].
KFP: Recently updated in 2025, the KFP exam now includes 70 multiple selection questions, each scenario requiring identification of several clinically relevant answers from provided options [2].
Time Pressure
AKT: You have roughly 1.5 minutes per question (4 hours total), so speed and time management are crucial [1].
KFP: You’ll have approximately 3 to 4 minutes per scenario, across 4 hours, allowing for deeper clinical consideration per question [2].
Skill Focus: Knowledge and Clinical Reasoning
AKT: Tests breadth of knowledge across the RACGP curriculum, from clinical guidelines to preventive health strategies.
KFP: Tests in-depth clinical judgement, requiring you to precisely identify and apply relevant clinical features for patient management [1,2].
Should You Sit AKT and KFP Together?
Deciding whether to sit both exams simultaneously requires careful reflection:
Advantages of Sitting Both Together:
Efficient study due to considerable curriculum overlap.
Sustained exam momentum can maintain your confidence and motivation.
Holistic clinical understanding due to integrated exam preparation.
Potential Risks:
Higher likelihood of burnout and stress due to intensive preparation load.
Risk of reduced confidence and motivation if performance dips in one exam.
Effective Strategies:
Many trainees successfully sit both exams in a single exam cycle, strategically benefiting from integrated study.
Use structured, balanced study plans to ensure adequate coverage and minimise burnout.
Tools That Make Active Recall Easy
Digital tools simplify the process of integrating active recall and spaced repetition into your RACGP exam preparation.
-
Brainscape: Uses adaptive algorithms to determine when you should review each flashcard based on your confidence level.
-
Anki: Allows custom deck creation for topics like PBS rules or emergency management.
-
Quizlet: Offers collaborative decks for study groups.
Using these tools allows you to:
-
Review flashcards during commutes or between patients.
-
Automatically revisit topics you’re struggling with.
-
Track progress and identify weak areas.
These platforms bring structure to your study plan, ensuring regular reinforcement and better recall.
(For time management strategies, see our AKT Study Planner.)
How to Combine These Methods for Peak Performance
When you combine active recall with spaced repetition, the results are exponential. This combination, known as “spaced retrieval practice”, creates a continuous cycle of learning, forgetting, and relearning that strengthens memory.
-
Start early (at least 6–12 months before your exam).
-
Create flashcards for each guideline or high-yield topic.
-
Use Brainscape or Anki daily to review material in spaced cycles.
-
Schedule mock exams every 3–4 weeks to test your applied knowledge.
Research indicates spaced repetition can significantly increase long-term retention, with spaced learners achieving approximately 58% accuracy compared to 43% among traditional learners (p<0.001) [4].
By six months into this method, most candidates report not only improved recall but also better confidence under pressure. You’re no longer scrambling to remember—you’re retrieving information automatically.
FAQs on AKT vs KFP Exams
1. Which RACGP exam is harder, AKT or KFP?
Historically, the KFP exam has been more challenging, with an average pass rate of approximately 71%, compared to about 81% for the AKT between 2021 and 2024 [9]. Its emphasis on complex clinical reasoning is typically more demanding.
2. How do AKT and KFP differ in format?
AKT consists of 150 MCQs, testing rapid recall and broad knowledge [1].
KFP includes 70 multiple selection scenario-based questions (since 2025), testing clinical reasoning in depth [2].
3. How many questions and how long is each exam?
AKT: 150 questions in 4 hours, around 1.5 minutes per question [1].
KFP: 70 scenarios in 4 hours, about 3 to 4 minutes per scenario [2]. Exams typically held on consecutive days.
4. What is the best strategy to prepare for the KFP exam?
Consistently practice clinical scenario-based questions.
Clearly and swiftly identify patient-specific key clinical features.
Regularly review RACGP’s KFP public exam reports and SAPTs [2,5].
Study clinical guidelines comprehensively and apply them in practice scenarios.
5. What AKT and KFP resources are essential?
Essential exam resources include RACGP SAPTs and reports, John Murtagh’s General Practice, Therapeutic Guidelines (eTG), structured external preparation courses, and peer study groups [5,6,7].
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by RACGP exam preparation, Fellow Academy offers high quality AKT and KFP questions, exam notes in concise and comprehensive format, and high yield, evidence based flashcards designed to help you study smarter and perform with confidence. You’ll also find free KFP case packs, webinars, and practical study resources to guide you every step of the way.
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.
References
-
GP Supervisors Australia. (2025). Study Skills Guide for GP Registrars: Studying Smarter, Not Harder. GPSA.
-
Carpenter, S. K., Pan, S. C., & Butler, A. C. (2022). The science of effective learning with spacing and retrieval practice. Nature Reviews Psychology, 1(10), 496–511.
-
Durrani, S. F., Yousuf, N., Ali, R., et al. (2024). Effectiveness of spaced repetition for clinical problem solving amongst undergraduate medical students studying paediatrics in Pakistan. BMC Medical Education, 24(1), 676.
-
Price, D. W., Wang, T., O’Neill, T. R., et al. (2025). The effect of spaced repetition on learning and knowledge transfer in a large cohort of practising physicians. Academic Medicine, 100(1), 94–102.
RACGP Exam Mistakes: Common Pitfalls That Stop Candidates Passing the RACGP Exams
AKT Exam Preparation: Study Strategies That Work
AKT vs KFP: Which RACGP Exam Is Harder (and How to Prepare for Both)