If you have just found out you did not pass the MRCGP SCA, take a breath before you do anything else. Most GP trainees describe the same feelings after a failed sitting: shock, frustration, a quiet embarrassment, and a worry that something is fundamentally wrong with their consulting. Almost none of that is accurate. But it feels very real in the days after results, and it is worth acknowledging before moving on to anything practical. You have not gone backwards. You have sat a specific, technically marked assessment, and on this occasion the standard was not met. That is a different thing from not being a good doctor, or not being suited to general practice. This blog is written for GP trainees who want to understand what the MRCGP SCA is actually measuring, why capable trainees sometimes fall short of the standard, and how to approach a re-sit with more structure and more confidence than the first time round. – Join SCA WhatsApp Teaching Group here – Get SCA Updates and Teaching Emails here – Register for next Free SCA Webinar here – Pass with SCA Ultimate Package here
If you have recently failed the MRCGP AKT exam, the result probably stayed with you longer than you expected. Even if you told yourself you would be “fine either way”, the reality of seeing that result can feel heavy. There is often a quiet mix of frustration, disappointment and self-doubt. Some trainees feel embarrassed. Others feel angry. Many feel tired. Before anything else, it is important to say this clearly… Failing the AKT does not mean you are not capable of being a great GP. The AKT is a very specific type of assessment. It is structured, timed and standardised. It tests applied knowledge, interpretation and decision-making under pressure. It does not test the full range of what makes you a safe and competent clinician. The question now is not “why did I fail?” The more useful question is “what needs to change?”. I've helped GP trainees answer this question for over 15 years… this blog breaks it all down. – Join National AKT WhatsApp Teaching Group here – Get AKT Updates and Teaching Emails here – Register for next Free AKT Webinar here – Pass with AKT Ultimate Package here
If you are preparing for MRCGP AKT and keep finding yourself thinking, “I just can’t be bothered today”, you are not lazy, disorganised, or lacking discipline. You are overwhelmed. AKT is a broad, demanding exam. It tests clinical medicine, evidence-based practice, statistics, guidelines, and administrative topics, all under significant time pressure. Many trainees struggle not because they are incapable, but because the workload feels endless and motivation quietly disappears. The good news is this: motivation is not what gets most people through AKT. Systems do. Below are seven practical, realistic strategies that work within real GP training life and help you keep going when motivation is low. – Join National AKT WhatsApp Teaching Group here – Get AKT Updates and Teaching Emails here – Register for next Free AKT Webinar here – Pass with AKT Ultimate Package here
The MRCGP AKT, or Applied Knowledge Test, is sometimes underestimated during GP training. It is often described as the more straightforward exam, yet many trainees find it more demanding than expected. The challenge lies not just in knowledge, but in applying it accurately under time pressure. The AKT rewards preparation that is structured and deliberate. Broad reading alone is rarely enough. Neither is last minute question practice. Good outcomes come from early planning, focused revision and smart use of time. This is especially important for GPST1 and GPST2 trainees who are balancing busy rotations alongside exam preparation. Having sat the AKT myself, I clearly remember the areas I found difficult and the approaches that helped me most. Over time, working with trainees, I have also seen the same patterns repeat. Strong candidates tend to prepare in similar ways. Those who struggle often make the same avoidable mistakes. This guide shares ten practical tips that are often overlooked. They cover both preparation and exam technique, and are designed to help you build a clear plan rather than react late. Many of these principles form the basis of how we structure AKT teaching and resources, because they reflect what actually works in practice. For full details about the exam see our main AKT Blog: What is the AKT and how to prepare. – Join National AKT WhatsApp Teaching Group here – Get AKT Updates and Teaching Emails here – Register for next Free AKT Webinar here – Pass with AKT Ultimate Package here
