description_fld_1111112111

Buy Now

Buy Now

GP Academy lectures vs exam style KFP questions: which one lifts your mark?

Last updated: November 2025

Buy Now

GP Academy lectures vs exam style KFP questions: which one lifts your mark?

Last updated: November 2025

Dr Shaun Tan, FRACGP, MD, BMSC
Medical Examiner | Associate Lecturer
Scored 90% on the AKT & Top 15th percentile in the KFP

Every GP trainee knows the feeling. That quiet pressure in the background. That awareness that the RACGP KFP exam is coming, and that your preparation will determine how confident you feel walking into the room. It is not just about passing. It is about proving to yourself that all the long days in clinic have built something solid.

This is exactly why so many registrars and IMGs eventually ask the same question: GP Academy lectures vs exam style KFP questions: which one lifts your mark? You want to know which strategy will genuinely shift your score, which method will strengthen your clinical reasoning, and which approach will help you perform under the very particular pressures of the KFP.

This guide breaks that down simply and clearly. You will see what GP Academy lectures offer, why realistic KFP questions matter, and how to use both in a structured, reassuring way that fits around clinic days, after hours revision, and family responsibilities. Think of this as a calm conversation with an examiner who understands exactly what you need.

What GP Academy lectures do well (breadth and foundations)

GP Academy lectures provide a strong, structured entry point into exam preparation. They help you build the broad foundational knowledge that the KFP expects, before you layer on more complex decision making. A structured lecture pathway helps you systematically revise core topics aligned to the Fellowship curriculum and common Australian primary care presentations, while keeping your study organised and less overwhelming [1],[3].

Key strengths of GP Academy lectures include:

Breadth of coverage: You receive guided explanations across a wide range of GP topics that map to the RACGP curriculum and exam blueprint [3].
Strong foundations: Clarifies complex clinical guidelines and decision points so you can move from knowledge to application [1],[3].
Structured progression: A logical order reduces the cognitive load of planning your own sequence and supports steady knowledge consolidation [1].
Guideline alignment: Encourages use of current Australian guidelines and college resources so content remains contemporary and exam relevant [1],[3].
Supportive learning environment: A lower pressure space to understand concepts before applying them under exam conditions [1],[4].

As a GP trainee, these strengths matter. Your clinic work is already mentally demanding. You need your study to feel organised rather than chaotic. GP Academy lectures provide this, giving you a reliable base to build on. For many trainees, this structure is the first step in transforming overwhelm into clarity.

For more ways to structure your exam preparation, see our guide on effective KFP study planning.

Limitations of simplified or modified KFP MSQs

Despite their appeal, simplified or modified MSQs often do not come close to the authentic complexity of real KFP exam questions. These questions are sometimes shorter, easier, or less clinically nuanced. While they can feel reassuring early in your study, they rarely prepare you for high level reasoning under pressure.

Common limitations include:

Overly short vignettes that remove contextual detail needed for clinical reasoning, unlike the fuller stems used in RACGP KFP style tasks [1].
Obvious answer choices that do not force you to discriminate between plausible options or prioritise actions [1].
No clear instruction on answer count, even though KFP tasks specify the number of responses required and expect concise, relevant answers [1],[2].
Weak explanations that do not reference authoritative Australian guidelines or articulate examiner style rationale [1],[4].

These simplified questions may create an impression that the exam is straightforward, when in reality the KFP requires depth, accuracy, and nuanced decision making. When trainees rely heavily on these types of questions, exam performance often plateaus because core exam skills have not been built.

If you want to explore exam technique further, see our detailed breakdown of RACGP KFP exam structure.

Fellow Academy’s highest quality KFPs (correct answer count, nuanced distractors, guideline screenshots)

Fellow Academy’s KFP questions are designed to replicate real exam conditions as closely as possible. This authenticity matters for exam readiness. It ensures that the skills you practise are the ones you will need on exam day. Complex vignettes, precise answer counts, and carefully designed distractors mirror the reasoning challenges used in the RACGP KFP. This approach aligns with RACGP guidance that candidates should practise applying knowledge through clinical reasoning and engage with practice style assessments to build familiarity and technique [1],[2].

Fellow Academy’s questions include:

Realistic clinical scenarios that reflect exam level detail and complexity, including comorbidity and prioritisation [1], [2].
Clear answer count instructions, training accuracy in response structure and brevity [1].
Nuanced distractors that reflect genuine clinical errors candidates commonly make, improving decision discrimination [1].
Detailed explanations with guideline referencing, helping you understand and apply current Australian guideline logic in context [1],[4].

The emphasis here is not on passive exposure to content, but on the active application that the college emphasises. RACGP explicitly recommends using practice style resources to understand format, timing, and the expectations around concise, relevant answers that address key features [1], [2].

You can explore more high quality cases in our free KFP sample case pack.

RACGP KFP format essentials for study focus

Knowing the format you are working towards helps you study with purpose. RACGP guidance explains how KFP tasks expect candidates to identify key features, prioritise safe and relevant actions, and provide concise responses within strict time limits [1],[2].

Practical implications for your study:

Prioritise key features: Train yourself to extract the main clinical problems and safety issues from a stem before you list actions [1].
Practise concise responses: Aim for brief, relevant statements rather than long narratives. This mirrors exam expectations and saves time [1].
Rehearse timing: Use timed sets to build a steady rhythm for reading, extracting features, and writing answers within the allowed period [2].
Use Australian guidelines: Anchor choices to current national guidance to reduce indecision and keep actions defensible [3].

For a deeper understanding of how to target the marking expectations, see our explainer on RACGP KFP exam structure.

FAQs: GP Academy lectures vs exam style KFP questions

1. Are GP Academy lectures enough to pass the RACGP KFP exam?

GP Academy lectures provide important foundational learning but generally require complementing with realistic KFP questions. The KFP is an exam of clinical reasoning and application, and RACGP guidance highlights the importance of applying knowledge in a clinical context and using practice style tasks to build technique [1], [2]. Trainees who combine both theory and practice consistently report greater improvement in confidence and performance [4].

2. How can I prepare effectively for the RACGP KFP exam?

Use a balanced combination of content learning, realistic question practice, structured revision, and regular guideline review. RACGP recommends familiarising yourself with format and timing using practice style assessments, then focusing on concise, relevant answers to key features [1], [2]. Add retrieval practice and spaced repetition to strengthen retention [5], [6].

3. Should my study emphasise notes or practice questions?

Start with notes early if topics feel unfamiliar, then shift emphasis to realistic KFP questions as the exam approaches to build exam technique, timing, and decision making. This aligns with RACGP guidance to practise applying knowledge and with GPRA advice to use active, evidence based strategies [1], [4].

4. What study strategies help trainees perform well in the KFP exam?

Combine spaced repetition, flashcards, peer based case discussions, and regular timed KFP practice. Review Australian guidelines after each session to close knowledge gaps and refine concise, relevant answers. This blends learning science with RACGP exam expectations [1], [4], [6].

5.1GP Academy vs Fellow Academy, which is better for KFP preparation?

GP Academy builds strong foundational knowledge. Fellow Academy builds strong exam technique through realistic KFP practice. The best outcomes come from integrating both, consistent with RACGP’s emphasis on applied knowledge, practice assessments, and familiarity with exam expectations [1], [2], [4].

Weekly study plan that fits a registrar schedule

A plan that respects your clinic workload is more likely to be followed. Blend short active sessions on busy days with longer, structured blocks when you are off roster [1], [4], [6].

A simple template you can adapt:

On clinic days: 20 to 30 minutes of hard KFP questions at lunch or after clinic, followed by a quick targeted guideline read and 10 minutes of flashcards [6].
On study days: Two focused 60 to 90 minute blocks. Start with a timed KFP set, then do a guided review against Australian guidelines, close with a short flashcard session [1], [3].
End of week: One full timed mini paper, brief reflection on missed marks, update your flashcards and priority list for the next week [2], [4].

For more ways to structure your exam preparation week, see effective KFP study planning.

Best study order: hard KFP questions, notes, then flashcards

Your study sequence matters as much as your study materials. Using a thoughtful structure helps you retain information longer and apply it more accurately. The cycle of hard KFP questions first, followed by notes, then flashcards, is grounded in strong education evidence on retrieval practice and spaced repetition, which improve retention and exam performance compared with passive study [5], [6]. This sequence also matches RACGP and GPRA guidance to move beyond reading into active application and timed practice [1],[4].

Here is how the cycle strengthens your learning:

Start with hard KFP questions
Activate retrieval and surface knowledge gaps before reviewing. This improves long term retention and highlights exactly what to study next [5], [6].
Review notes and guidelines
Target the gaps you identified. Revisiting RACGP aligned notes and Australian guidelines after attempting questions makes study time efficient and clinically grounded [1],[3], [4].
Reinforce using flashcards
Use spaced repetition and active recall to convert fresh learning into dependable memory that stands up under exam timing [6].

When repeated consistently, this study cycle transforms how you approach exam preparation. You are no longer passively consuming information. You are actively identifying what you do not know, strengthening it, then reinforcing it. This is one of the most powerful ways to build exam day confidence.

For a deeper look at retention techniques, see our guide on spaced repetition for KFP success.

If you feel uncertain or overwhelmed by your RACGP preparation, you do not have to navigate it alone. Fellow Academy offers high quality AKT and KFP questions, clear and comprehensive notes, and high yield flashcards designed to support you in studying with confidence and clarity. You will also find free KFP case packs, webinars, and step by step guidance designed to walk with you through the entire journey.

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] Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. (2024). AKT and KFP examination guide, preparing for the FRACGP exams, expectations, answer format, timing, and preparation advice. East Melbourne, VIC: RACGP. https://www.racgp.org.au/education/fellowship/gp-fellowship-exams

[2] Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. (2024). Exam support, practice assessments for AKT and KFP, format familiarisation and timing guidance. East Melbourne, VIC: RACGP. https://www.racgp.org.au/education/fellowship/exams/preparation-resources

[3] Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. (2022). RACGP curriculum and syllabus for Australian general practice. East Melbourne, VIC: RACGP. https://www.racgp.org.au/education/education-providers/curriculum

[4] General Practice Registrars Australia. (2025). Study strategies for GP trainees, active learning, timed practice, feedback, and guideline alignment. Melbourne, VIC: GPRA. https://gpra.org.au/resources

[5] Clemmons, K. R., Vuk, J., & Jarrett, D. M. (2023). Educational videos versus question banks, maximising medical student performance on a high stakes exam. Cureus, 15(4), e38110. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.38110

[6] Augustin, M. (2014). How to learn effectively in medical school, test yourself, learn actively, and repeat in intervals. Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine, 87(2), 207 to 212. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4031794/

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)

Trial Fellow Academy for Free

Complete the Form to Access 30 FREE KFP MSQs & AKTs + Invite to Our Free 2026.1 RACGP Exam Prep Webinar

Dr Shaun Tan, FRACGP, MD, BMSC
Medical Examiner | Associate Lecturer
Scored 90% on the AKT & Top 15th percentile in the KFP

Summary

What GP Academy lectures do well (breadth and foundations)

GP Academy lectures provide a strong, structured entry point into exam preparation. They help you build the broad foundational knowledge that the KFP expects, before you layer on more complex decision making. A structured lecture pathway helps you systematically revise core topics aligned to the Fellowship curriculum and common Australian primary care presentations, while keeping your study organised and less overwhelming [1],[3].

Key strengths of GP Academy lectures include:

Breadth of coverage: You receive guided explanations across a wide range of GP topics that map to the RACGP curriculum and exam blueprint [3].
Strong foundations: Clarifies complex clinical guidelines and decision points so you can move from knowledge to application [1],[3].
Structured progression: A logical order reduces the cognitive load of planning your own sequence and supports steady knowledge consolidation [1].
Guideline alignment: Encourages use of current Australian guidelines and college resources so content remains contemporary and exam relevant [1],[3].
Supportive learning environment: A lower pressure space to understand concepts before applying them under exam conditions [1],[4].

As a GP trainee, these strengths matter. Your clinic work is already mentally demanding. You need your study to feel organised rather than chaotic. GP Academy lectures provide this, giving you a reliable base to build on. For many trainees, this structure is the first step in transforming overwhelm into clarity.

For more ways to structure your exam preparation, see our guide on effective KFP study planning.

Limitations of simplified or modified KFP MSQs

Despite their appeal, simplified or modified MSQs often do not come close to the authentic complexity of real KFP exam questions. These questions are sometimes shorter, easier, or less clinically nuanced. While they can feel reassuring early in your study, they rarely prepare you for high level reasoning under pressure.

Common limitations include:

Overly short vignettes that remove contextual detail needed for clinical reasoning, unlike the fuller stems used in RACGP KFP style tasks [1].
Obvious answer choices that do not force you to discriminate between plausible options or prioritise actions [1].
No clear instruction on answer count, even though KFP tasks specify the number of responses required and expect concise, relevant answers [1],[2].
Weak explanations that do not reference authoritative Australian guidelines or articulate examiner style rationale [1],[4].

These simplified questions may create an impression that the exam is straightforward, when in reality the KFP requires depth, accuracy, and nuanced decision making. When trainees rely heavily on these types of questions, exam performance often plateaus because core exam skills have not been built.

If you want to explore exam technique further, see our detailed breakdown of RACGP KFP exam structure.

Fellow Academy’s highest quality KFPs (correct answer count, nuanced distractors, guideline screenshots)

Fellow Academy’s KFP questions are designed to replicate real exam conditions as closely as possible. This authenticity matters for exam readiness. It ensures that the skills you practise are the ones you will need on exam day. Complex vignettes, precise answer counts, and carefully designed distractors mirror the reasoning challenges used in the RACGP KFP. This approach aligns with RACGP guidance that candidates should practise applying knowledge through clinical reasoning and engage with practice style assessments to build familiarity and technique [1],[2].

Fellow Academy’s questions include:

Realistic clinical scenarios that reflect exam level detail and complexity, including comorbidity and prioritisation [1], [2].
Clear answer count instructions, training accuracy in response structure and brevity [1].
Nuanced distractors that reflect genuine clinical errors candidates commonly make, improving decision discrimination [1].
Detailed explanations with guideline referencing, helping you understand and apply current Australian guideline logic in context [1],[4].

The emphasis here is not on passive exposure to content, but on the active application that the college emphasises. RACGP explicitly recommends using practice style resources to understand format, timing, and the expectations around concise, relevant answers that address key features [1], [2].

You can explore more high quality cases in our free KFP sample case pack.

RACGP KFP format essentials for study focus

Knowing the format you are working towards helps you study with purpose. RACGP guidance explains how KFP tasks expect candidates to identify key features, prioritise safe and relevant actions, and provide concise responses within strict time limits [1],[2].

Practical implications for your study:

Prioritise key features: Train yourself to extract the main clinical problems and safety issues from a stem before you list actions [1].
Practise concise responses: Aim for brief, relevant statements rather than long narratives. This mirrors exam expectations and saves time [1].
Rehearse timing: Use timed sets to build a steady rhythm for reading, extracting features, and writing answers within the allowed period [2].
Use Australian guidelines: Anchor choices to current national guidance to reduce indecision and keep actions defensible [3].

For a deeper understanding of how to target the marking expectations, see our explainer on RACGP KFP exam structure.

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.