AKT Exam Feedback Report (April 2025)

The AKT 55 exam was held on 30th April, 2025 and was taken by 1732 candidates. This exam feedback report provides a summary of the April 2025 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 below for more information:


Statistics

The scores for this AKT exam ranged from 82 to 193 out of 200 questions, with a mean overall score of 154.49 marks (77.25%). The pass mark was set at 144, with 75.92% of all candidates passing this exam. The mean score for each of the three subject areas was as follows:


Areas of Strength

For the April 2025 AKT exam, candidates performed better than in previous exams in questions that related to:


Areas of Difficulty

Summary of areas causing difficulty in AKT 55:

Children and young people (Life stage topic)

In AKT 55, candidates had difficulty with common problems concerning paediatric urology and the management of common normal and abnormal presentations. Parents frequently ask for advice about the physical development of children, and candidates should have a clear understanding of what is normal, as well as when referral may be required.

People with long-term conditions including cancer (Life stage topic)

The difficulties here concerned several clinical areas. Candidates should ensure that they are up to date with important changes to the management of common long-term conditions. This may include looking out for updates to NICE and other national guidelines, and is an area where trainers can alert candidates to what is new.

Neurology (Clinical topic)

We have fed back on neurology after three of the last four sitting of the AKT exam. While it is often difficult to make definitive clinical diagnoses from possible neurological signs, we would encourage candidates to be aware of combinations of symptoms and/or signs which are typical of particular conditions.

Past 12 months (AKTs 52-55)

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

Improving quality, safety and prescribing

Drug side effects, prescribing in older adults, interpretation of results, drug monitoring.

Leadership and management

The feedback concerned death certificate legislation, capacity, and access to medical records.

Neurology

Interpretation of symptoms and signs including acute presentations, migraine.

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

Leadership and management

The feedback concerned capacity, access to medical records

Children and young people

Neonatal illnesses, safeguarding, recognising normal, minor illness.

Musculoskeletal health

Very broad - includes diagnosis, investigation and management of common and long-term MSK conditions.

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

Population and planetary health

Medication choices

People with long-term conditions, including cancer

Management of common long term conditions

Maternity and reproductive health

Early pregnancy complications

Dermatology

Management of common conditions

Eyes and vision

Eye signs

Gastroenterology

Colorectal and perianal conditions

Gynaecology and breast

Hormone replacement therapy

Metabolic problems and endocrinology

Differences between T1 and T2 DM

Neurodevelopmental disorders, intellectual and social disability

Intellectual disability and genetic causes

Respiratory health

Paediatric and adult asthma management

Smoking, alcohol and substance misuse

Common general issues


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.