AKT Exam Feedback Report (January 2026)

The AKT 58 exam was held on 26th January, 2026 and was taken by 1597 candidates. This exam feedback report provides a summary of the January 2026 exam, including important statistics, areas of strength and difficulty for candidates, and advice for candidates looking to prepare for future AKT exams. If you would like to review other feedback reports for previous AKT examinations, please click on any of the links below for more information:


Statistics

The scores for this AKT exam ranged from 53 to 156 out of 160 questions, with a mean overall score of 119.44 marks (75.12%). The pass mark was set at 108, with 76.52% of all candidates passing this exam. The mean score for each of the three subject areas was as follows:


Areas of Strength

For the January 2026 AKT exam, candidates performed better than in previous exams in questions that related to:


Areas of Difficulty

Summary of areas causing difficulty in AKT 58:

People at the end of life (Life stage topic)

Palliative care is a core part of general practice, which frequently causes difficulties in the AKT. In AKT 58, candidates struggled with the management of common symptoms in palliative care. The BNF is an excellent resource for revision here, as well as ensuring exposure in general practice by visiting patients at home and involvement in care home ward rounds.

Eyes and vision (Clinical topic)

In AKT 58, candidates found difficulty in questions around the diagnosis of common ophthalmological conditions. Although eye conditions may present to other healthcare professionals, this is still core knowledge, and we will continue to test on important conditions which may present.

Evidence in practice, research, teaching, and lifelong learning (Professional topic)

Whilst interpretation of some charts had improved in AKT 58, candidates struggled more with charts pertaining to data within practices. It may be worth trying to attend local practice cluster meetings or a session with your practice manager to consider how practice data may be presented.

Neurology (Clinical topic)

Neurology is a frequent area of feedback (including each of the last four AKTs). Candidates struggled to recognise common gait disturbances which may present in general practice. We will continue to test on these important presentations.

Metabolic problems and endocrine (Clinical topic)

In AKT 58, candidates had problems identifying common biochemical disturbances. Revision strategies could include a session with your supervisor around actioning blood test results.

Past 12 months (AKTs 55-58)

Since 2024, there have been four annual sittings of the AKT exam. After four of the last four sittings of the AKT exam, we have highlighted a need for improvement regarding:

Neurology

Recognition of symptoms; diagnosis

After two of the last four sittings of the AKT exam, we have highlighted a need for improvement regarding:

Leadership, management and administration

The feedback concerned access to medical records and confidentiality guidelines.

Evidence in practice, research, teaching, and lifelong learning (Professional topic)

The feedback concerned practice chart interpretation and common study design terminology

Children and young people

Diagnosis and management of paediatric urological conditions; paediatric cancer; acute illness; safeguarding

And on one occasion each over the past 12 months, we have fed back on:

Continuity and quality of care, safety and prescribing

Side effects of long-term medication

People with long-term conditions, including cancer

Management of common long term conditions

Dermatology

Management of common conditions

Eyes and vision

Eye signs

Infectious disease and travel health

Diagnostic investigations for infectious diseases

Metabolic problems and endocrine

Interpretation of some common results

People at the end of life

Treatment of symptoms


Exam Preparation

Candidates must stay vigilant and scrutinise relevant guidance in their AKT exam preparation, which will help to improve their chances of success. The GP curriculum serves as a robust blueprint for exam readiness, and the knowledge and skills sections of each topic guide offer a valuable resource for those striving to make certain they've encompassed all critical topics. Additionally, regularly reviewing the scenarios in the AKT exam with caution and completing an online MRCGP AKT question bank and mock exam is highly recommended.