MRCGP AKT: The Topics Candidates Find Hardest, From the RCGP's Own Reports
Published Oct 18, 2026
After every sitting, the RCGP's AKT Core Group publishes a feedback report on how candidates performed (https://www.rcgp.org.uk/mrcgp-exams/applied-knowledge-test/further-help-support). The July 2026 report (AKT 60) is the latest, and it names the areas that cost candidates marks.
In AKT 60, candidates found these areas difficult: the neurological presentation of disease (including cranial nerves), joint disorders in children, common dermatological presentations such as skin rashes, and the diagnosis and management of common respiratory conditions.
Across the last four sittings (AKTs 57 to 60), the same themes recur: neurology (recognising symptoms, diagnosis and cranial nerves); children and young people (acute illness, safeguarding and joint problems); continuity of care, safety and prescribing (side effects of long-term medication and prescribing errors); and leadership, management and administration (data protection and confidentiality).
There was good news too. Candidates did better than before on recognising common neonatal presentations, and on recognising normality and when no treatment is needed. The report also says most candidates do well on data interpretation and general practice administration questions.
By section, the July 2026 average was 76.16% in clinical knowledge (128 questions), 73.49% in evidence-based practice (16 questions) and 68.18% in organisation and management (16 questions), so the administration section was the weakest on average.
Study takeaway: build extra practice around neurology, paediatric joint problems, skin rashes, respiratory diagnosis and prescribing safety, and don't neglect the organisation and management questions: they are only 10% of the exam, but they had the lowest average score in July 2026.