The AKT 52 exam was held on 9th July 2024 and was taken by 1382 candidates. This exam feedback report provides a summary of the July 2024 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:
The scores for this AKT exam ranged from 76 to 190 out of 200 questions, with a mean overall score of 143.86 marks (71.93%). The pass mark was set at 138, with 65.92% of all candidates passing this exam. The mean score for each of the three subject areas was as follows:
For the July 2024 AKT exam, candidates performed better than previous exams in questions that related to:
Summary of areas causing difficulty in AKT52:
We frequently feedback on the important area of safe prescribing. In AKT 52, candidates had difficulty with knowledge concerning the side effects of commonly prescribed medication. MHRA updates are an excellent resource for revision in this area, as well as the BNF, and day-to-day clinical practice.
Ethical issues around capacity caused difficulties in AKT 52. It may be helpful for candidates to consider the issue of capacity in a tutorial setting or a workplace-based assessment. It is important to understand how to assess capacity and be aware of situations in which capacity may be limited.
Planetary health is an emerging and important area, which candidates found difficult. We will be testing regularly on this area as it applies to general practice, e.g. concerning medication choices. The GMC has recently published a position statement on the importance of improving education on planetary health.
https://www.gmc-uk.org/-/media/documents/general-medical-council-planetaryhealth-position-statement--july-2024-_pdf-107773060.pdfIn general, questions around safeguarding caused some difficulty in AKT 52. This included scenarios concerning children, as well as issues affecting pregnant people and older adults. Day-to-day clinical practice and trainer tutorials will help candidates learn about these often complex situations. Recognising normality in children caused some difficulty, as well as, more generally, being able to correctly distinguish minor illness from more serious illness, and having awareness of the relative prevalence of various conditions.
Candidates are reminded to be aware of the differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes, with regard to diagnosis, investigation, management and emergency presentations. Sitting in on a nurse-led diabetes clinic in general practice may help strengthen knowledge in this area.
The diagnosis and management of common long-term conditions was a challenge for candidates in AKT 52. These conditions make up a large part of the workload in general practice and include musculoskeletal problems, where candidates seemed uncertain about appropriate management.
In AKT 52, candidates struggled with the management of migraine. This is a common condition in everyday general practice and knowledge of presentation, symptomatic management and prevention will be tested in the AKT. National guidance, as well as the BNF, are excellent resources for guidance on this.
Candidates had difficulty with this area. We are aware that not all candidates will have had exposure to the management of substance misuse, and we do not expect specialist knowledge. However, we do expect awareness of common general issues and will test on areas such as those described in the super-condensed curriculum guide.
It may be helpful for candidates to spend time in a local substance misuse clinic or with a GP with a special interest in this area.
After each of the last three sittings of the AKT exam, we have highlighted a need for improvement regarding:
After two of the last three sittings of the AKT exam, we have highlighted a need for improvement regarding:
Drug side effects, safe prescribing of drugs used in long-term conditions, controlled drugs, pathology results.
It is crucial for candidates to 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.