MRCGP Applied Knowledge Test (AKT)

Exam at a glance

Questions

160

Duration

160 minutes

Pass mark

not published

Sections

160 single best answer items in 2 hours 40 minutes (since October 2025) · 80 % clinical knowledge, 10 % evidence-based practice, 10 % primary care organisation and management · Pass mark set for each sitting

Exam type

Written

Language

English

Authority

RCGP

Curriculum

Built from the question bank and updated automatically when new questions are added. 10 modules · 321 questions · Last updated: 30 October 2026

1. 01Cardiovascular medicine in primary care53 questions · 16.5 % of the bank

   Chapters

   • Foundations: anatomy of the heart
   • Foundations: conduction system and cardiac cycle
   • Foundations: circulation and blood vessels

   Sample question

   Sample question1 / 1 · 0 correct

   A 52-year-old man has a clinic blood pressure of 152/94 mmHg, repeated at 150/92 mmHg. He has no symptoms and no target organ damage on examination. What is the most appropriate next step to confirm the diagnosis?

   AAmbulatory blood pressure monitoringBStart amlodipine and review in 4 weeksCRepeat the clinic reading in 12 monthsDArrange an echocardiogramERefer to the hypertension clinic

   Keys: 1–5 or A–E to choose, Enter to check and continue, F to mark.

   MarkCheck answer
2. 02Skin, eyes and infection11 questions · 3.4 % of the bank

   Chapters

   • Foundations: skin structure, primary lesions and burn depth
   • Foundations: the eye and the visual pathway
   • Foundations: the ear and the larynx
   • Foundations: paranasal sinuses and neck lymph nodes

   Sample question

   Sample question1 / 1 · 0 correct

   A 4-year-old has a small patch of golden-crusted lesions near the nose. He is well. What is the first-line treatment?

   AHydrogen peroxide 1 % creamBOral flucloxacillin for 7 daysCFusidic acid first lineDTopical hydrocortisoneEOral clarithromycin

   Keys: 1–5 or A–E to choose, Enter to check and continue, F to mark.

   MarkCheck answer
3. 03Diabetes, endocrinology and kidney health52 questions · 16.2 % of the bank

   Chapters

   • Foundations: endocrine glands and feedback control
   • Foundations: the thyroid in the neck and endocrine emergencies
   • Foundations: structure and function of the kidney
   • Foundations: fluids and electrolytes

   Sample question

   Sample question1 / 1 · 0 correct

   A 54-year-old man has an HbA1c of 51 mmol/mol on a routine check. He has no symptoms. What is the most appropriate next step?

   AStart metformin nowBArrange an oral glucose tolerance testCRepeat the HbA1cDDiagnose non-diabetic hyperglycaemiaERepeat in 1 year

   Keys: 1–5 or A–E to choose, Enter to check and continue, F to mark.

   MarkCheck answer
4. 04Mental health, addiction and dementia52 questions · 16.2 % of the bank

   Sample question

   Sample question1 / 1 · 0 correct

   A 79-year-old woman has had memory problems for 1 year. Her family notice she repeats questions. What should be done before referral to the memory service?

   AStart donepezilBRequest a CT head in primary care routinelyCBlood tests to exclude reversible causesDArrange EEGEPrescribe an antipsychotic

   Keys: 1–5 or A–E to choose, Enter to check and continue, F to mark.

   MarkCheck answer
5. 05Musculoskeletal, neurology and gastroenterology12 questions · 3.7 % of the bank

   Chapters

   • Foundations: the skeleton, spine and pelvis
   • Foundations: shoulder, wrist and hand
   • Foundations: hip fractures, knee and ankle ligaments
   • Foundations: brain anatomy and clinical localisation
   • Foundations: reflexes, the spinal cord and upper versus lower motor neuron signs

   Sample question

   Sample question1 / 1 · 0 correct

   A 38-year-old man has low back pain for 1 week after lifting. There is no leg pain and no red flags. What is the most appropriate advice?

   ABed rest for a weekBLumbar spine MRICParacetamol aloneDRegular codeine for 4 weeks with paracetamolEStay active and use an NSAID if suitable

   Keys: 1–5 or A–E to choose, Enter to check and continue, F to mark.

   MarkCheck answer
6. 06Primary care organisation, law and ethics12 questions · 3.7 % of the bank
7. 07Children and young people52 questions · 16.2 % of the bank

   Chapters

   • Foundations: the newborn and the transition after birth
   • Foundations: growth and development
   • Foundations: the child's airway, vital signs and resuscitation
8. 08Respiratory health and ENT52 questions · 16.2 % of the bank

   Chapters

   • Foundations: anatomy of the respiratory tract
   • Foundations: alveoli and gas exchange
   • Foundations: mechanics and control of breathing
   • Foundations: the eye and the visual pathway
   • Foundations: the ear and the larynx
   • Foundations: paranasal sinuses and neck lymph nodes
9. 09Evidence-based practice and statistics12 questions · 3.7 % of the bank
10. 10Women's health, pregnancy and sexual health13 questions · 4 % of the bank

    Chapters

    • Foundations: female pelvic anatomy
    • Foundations: placenta, pregnancy physiology and fetal circulation
    • Foundations: labour and the fetal skull
    • Foundations: the menstrual cycle in the ovary, endometrium and cervix
    • Foundations: breast anatomy and lymphatic drainage

What you get

• Question bank with a detailed explanation for every answer
• Timed mock exams in the real exam format, with score report by topic
• Personal study plan up to your exam date and review of weak topics
• AI tutor that explains any question in plain words
• One account for the app (iPhone, iPad) and the browser

From registration to licence

The usual steps with RCGP. Details can change; check the current rules with RCGP before you register.

1. Check eligibility and collect your documents (degree, experience, good standing).
2. Create an account with RCGP and submit the application.
3. Receive the exam eligibility and book a date with the test centre.
4. Sit the exam. Results usually come within days.
5. After passing: complete licensing (for example primary source verification) and receive your licence.

Frequently asked questions