Non-urgent advice: The Applied Knowledge Test
The Applied Knowledge Test is a MCQ summative assessment of the knowledge base that underpins independent general practice.
The AKT is a computer-based test of three hours and ten minutes duration comprising 200 question items. It is delivered three times a year at 150 Pearson VUE professional testing centres across the UK.
Approximately 80% of question items will be on clinical medicine, 10% on critical appraisal and evidence based clinical practice and 10% on health informatics and administrative issues.
Towards the end of ST1, it is good to begin to consider how to start preparing for your AKT. In Bradford we run a 2 day ‘Introduction to AKT’ modular course, followed by an ‘EBM for AKT’ modular course in ST2. There may also be clinically based AKT preparation small group sessions run by one of our trainers- we will let you know when these are available. In Bradford we also offer a once a month small group teaching session focussing on specific areas of the GP curriculum for the AKT to help you prepare your knowledge base for the assessment.
In ST2, you become eligible to sit the AKT. You will find the AKT Blackboard module helpful as an introduction to this exam and the best way of preparing for it. It is advised that you do at least 3 months of self study. You will be given access onto the Y&H Online Revision Course (via the Blackboard module) and will be funded to do an external course such as AKT Prep. Alternatively you could use this funding to access the 14fish AKT preparation package. It is useful to work with a peer group and you will get support from your CS/ES and TPD. Some people choose to defer the AKT until ST3.
The Revision and Exam Techniques Blackboard course is available to all who have failed an exam. It is run by a psychologist and looks at studying and managing exam related anxiety.
If you have failed AKT once, it is recommended that you access dylexia screening, as the AKT can often uncover problems that people have coped with for many years. Additionally, please contact your CS/ES/TPD for support. More information about Access to Dyslexia Support can be found here.
If you fail more than once, you will be given access to the Yorkshire and Humber Enhanced AKT course. You will be contacted if and when you are eligible for this.
You can find dates for booking and siting the the AKT exams, results and further information here.
Non-urgent advice: Some Top Tips for the AKT
1. Pick the right time for you for the exam, no one else can.
2. Discipline. Start preparation in plenty of time. An hour a day for 6 months is worth it!! If like me, you are a stress head, dont leave it to the last 1 month as you will have no free time and will make you very nervous!
3. Make notes and concentrate more on your weak areas. Slow and steady- listen to your instincts, work more on your weak areas- I did the DVLA guidance, Stats questions, Paediatrics more than other areas as I felt they were my weak areas and it really paid off- I scored 96% on stats!!
4. Read latest guidelines – CKS, BNF and gpnotebook are all excellent resources to use.
5. Plan your exam technique. The AKT exam is tough with lots of questions. Pace yourself, highlight questions you want to come back to and leave yourself at least 10 minutes at the end.