News
RACGP releases AKT 2020.2 public exam report
The biannual report outlines details of the recent exam and overall performance of the cohort.
The AKT 2020.2 was rescheduled to December and delivered in exam venues in a paper-based format.
Following the cancellation of the 2020.2 RACGP Fellowship (FRACGP) Applied Knowledge Test (AKT) in October 2020, the exam was changed from an online format to paper-based, and rescheduled to 5 December.
Following each exam, the college publishes information detailing candidates’ performance and outcomes, which covers pass marks and rates, mean scores and the reliability of the exam.
Example clinical scenarios from the exam and where responses could be improved are also included.
From the example clinical scenarios in the AKT 2020.2, the RACGP identified the areas some candidates found challenging. Feedback provided for areas of improvement include having an understanding of:
- current guideline recommendations for appropriate screening and management, including for ‘red flags’ and ongoing management of an emergent situation
- appropriate investigations, follow up and referral pathways
- medication management and prescription monitoring
- different presentations of disease and epidemiology in patients from a wide range of backgrounds.
A four-hour paper-based exam, the AKT offers an additional hour to candidates for whom English is a second language and for slow readers, to allow ample time to complete the exam.
The AKT comprises 150 questions incorporating two different question types – single best answer and extended matching questions.
From a total of 1089 candidates who sat the exam, the 2020.2 AKT had an overall pass mark of 61.9% and a pass rate of 72.64%.
The pass rate is the percentage of candidates who achieved the pass mark – historically the pass rate is stable, with only small variation from exam to exam.
The RACGP recommends the following advice for candidates when preparing for and sitting the exam:
- Read each clinical scenario and accompanying question thoroughly – although more than one option may be plausible, only the most appropriate option for the clinical scenario provided should be selected.
- Learning only the first step in an investigation or management may not demonstrate depth of knowledge – for example, a first-line blood pressure medication may be contraindicated, requiring knowledge of the second- or third-line choice.
- Ensure up-to-date clinical knowledge through reading journals, medical textbooks, and a broad range of general practice guidelines (including those published by the RACGP).
- Identify any gaps or areas of weakness in day-to-day clinical practice, through self-reflection and feedback, then develop a learning plan to improve areas of need.
This guidance may also support candidates who are preparing for the next round of exams:
- Key Feature Problem (KFP) 2021.1, 5 February
- AKT 2021.1, 6 February
- Remote Clinical Exam (RCE), 13–21 March. The RCE is replacing the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), but will still be considered part of the 2020.2 exam semester.
The RACGP has a suite of resources for exam candidates:
Log in below to join the conversation.
AKT Applied Knowledge Test Fellowship RACGP exams
newsGP weekly poll
Is it becoming more difficult to access specialist psychiatric support for patients with complex mental presentations?