‘Strong performance’ across latest RACGP exams

The latest round of exams on the pathway to RACGP Fellowship demonstrate strong pass rates, as Australia’s next cohort of future GPs take one step further.
 
Across 3 and 4 July, thousands of candidates sat the college’s Applied Knowledge Test (AKT) and Key Feature Problem (KFP) 2026.2 exam cycles.
 
Published this week, the exam reports show that of 1187 AKT candidates, a mean score of 74.99% was reached, with an overall pass rate of 80.2%.
 
Meanwhile, 1162 sat for the KFP, resulting in a mean score of 68.75% and achieved a pass rate of 80.64%.
 
Dr Melanie Considine, RACGP KFP National Assessment Advisor, says these strong pass rates suggest candidates were ‘well prepared overall’.
 
‘This reflects a cohort that was generally ready for the demands of the exam,’ she told newsGP.
 
‘The latest pass rate is broadly consistent with recent KFP cycles. It is slightly lower than the 84.19% recorded in 2026.1, and very close to the 79.57% result in 2025.2.’
 
While pass rates remain generally consistent across the most recent cycles of Fellowship exams, AKT National Assessment Advisor Dr Sharnti Caulley says overall, the 2026.2 results are consistent with the ‘strong performance’ seen in recent AKT exams.
 
One notable difference she highlights is the size of the cohort which has increased again this cycle, from 1117 candidates sitting the 2026.1 AKT.
 
‘The 2026.2 results indicate that most candidates demonstrated the breadth of knowledge assessed by the AKT,’ Dr Caulley told newsGP.
 
‘The results reinforce the importance of readiness to sit. Candidates sitting the AKT for the first time achieved higher pass rates than those making subsequent attempts, which highlights the value of identifying and addressing any knowledge gaps before attempting the AKT.’
 
Dr Caulley says that success in the AKT depends on several key factors.
 
‘Carefully interpreting the information provided in each stem, recognising the key clinical concerns and selecting the best answer for that patient and context,’ she said.
 
‘Candidates should also remember that AKT questions are based on contemporary Australian general practice and are designed to assess evidence-based decision making.
 
‘Preparation should focus on developing broad clinical knowledge, familiarity with current Australian guidelines and an understanding of how those guidelines are applied in day-to-day general practice.’
 
Each report details the pass rates by number of attempts, with the 2026.2 AKT showing 85.9% for the first attempt, 62.5% for the second, and 70.9% for the third attempt.
 
While for the 2026.2 KFP, 86.51% passed in the first attempt, 58.16% in the second attempt, and 50% for the third attempt.
 
Dr Considine notes the data consistently shows candidates are most likely to succeed on their first attempt, which ‘reinforces the importance of thorough preparation’ before sitting the exam.
 
‘I encourage future candidates to make full use of the Exam Preparation Toolkit, including the Self-Assessment Progress Tests, and to review the public exam reports from current and previous cycles,’ she said.
 
‘These reports provide useful insights into the topics examined, example questions, rationales and common errors.
 
‘Candidates should also prioritise Australian-based guidelines and references, including the Australian Journal of General Practice and Therapeutic Guidelines.’
 
The next RACGP exam cycle is the 2027.1 AKT held on Friday 15 January, and the 2027.1 KFP on Saturday 16 January. More information is available on the RACGP website.
 
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Applied Knowledge Test Key Feature Problem RACGP exams RACGP Fellowship