What changed in October 2025?
In October 2025, the MRCGP AKT underwent its most significant structural change in years. The exam moved from 200 questions in 190 minutes to 160 questions in 160 minutes.
The RCGP frames this as an inclusivity adjustment. While the exam is shorter, the time-per-question has slightly increased (from 0.95 minutes to 1 minute per item), designed to reduce the "speed reading" burden and allow candidates more time to think. However, the format remains the same: computer-based Single Best Answer (SBA) questions covering the same broad curriculum domains (RCGP).
What the AKT is testing (in 3 buckets)
Despite the structural change, the content blueprint remains consistent. The exam tests the knowledge base required for independent general practice in the UK, split across three domains:
- Clinical Medicine (80%): Diagnosis, management, and health promotion across all primary care specialties.
- Evidence-Based Practice (10%): Statistics, research methods, and critical appraisal.
- Organisation & Management (10%): Legal frameworks, DVLA rules, and practice administration.
What the 160/160 change actually means for revision
A shorter exam does not mean an easier exam. With fewer questions, each item carries more weight. You have less room for error.
- Accuracy over speed: You have slightly more time to think, so "speed-reading" is less critical, but precision is more important. You cannot afford to misread the stem.
- No "make up" marks: With 40 fewer questions, you cannot rely on "making up marks later" in easy sections. You need a consistent performance across all domains.
- Higher quality mocks: Your revision must prioritise quality over volume. Doing 200-question mocks is now the wrong training for the event. You need to train for a 160-question sprint.
The study plan (8 weeks) built for the new AKT
Daily rhythm (Mon–Fri)
- Adaptive Drill (30–60 mins): Use iatroX in adaptive mode. Let the AI find your weak areas (e.g., "Cardiovascular" or "Statistics") and crush them. Do not waste time on topics you already know.
- Errors Log (10 mins): For every mistake, write a single line: Topic + Why I got it wrong + The corrected rule.
- Spaced Repetition (15–25 mins): Use the iatroX Quiz spaced repetition queue to keep those Admin and Stats facts "warm." These are high-yield, volatile memories that need constant refreshing.
Weekend rhythm (Sat or Sun)
- Timed Mock: Once every 1–2 weeks, sit a full 160-question block under exam conditions. This builds your pacing for the new format.
- The "Discriminator" Review: When reviewing your mock, don't just read the answer. Write down the discriminator—the single detail in the vignette that flipped the answer from Option B to Option C.
Week-by-week plan
- Weeks 1–2 (Diagnostic): Do mixed blocks to identify your weakest 5 domains. Create a "Top 20 repeat mistakes" list.
- Weeks 3–5 (Conversion): Shift to a 70/30 split: spend 70% of your time on your weak areas and 30% on mixed practice. Do one timed block weekly.
- Weeks 6–8 (Simulation): Increase to two timed blocks per week (but not every day—avoid burnout). Focus heavily on spaced repetition of your error log and rapid review of "crammable" facts (DVLA rules, fitness to fly).
How to avoid the common AKT traps
- "Reading drift": Misreading the stem because you are rushing. Fix: With the new time allowance, practise disciplined stem parsing. Read the last line first.
- Over-studying clinical: Ignoring the 20% of marks in EBM and Admin. Fix: These are the easiest marks to improve. Drill them until you score >80% consistently.
- Passive notes: Reading textbooks instead of testing yourself. Fix: Distributed practice and retrieval practice are proven to improve exam outcomes (PMC). Active testing is the only way to learn.
Where iatroX fits
iatroX is designed for this new format. Our Quiz engine is mapped to the AKT curriculum and uses adaptive learning to target your weaknesses automatically.
- Use Adaptive Mode for weakness discovery in Weeks 1-5.
- Use Spaced Repetition to keep your EBM and Admin knowledge sharp throughout.
- Use Standard Blocks to simulate the 160-question exam in the final month.
FAQs
- How many questions are in the AKT from Oct 2025?
- There are 160 questions (reduced from 200).
- How long is the AKT from Oct 2025?
- The exam lasts 160 minutes (2 hours 40 minutes).
- Is there more time per question now?
- Yes. You now have 1 minute per question, compared to 0.95 minutes previously.
- Should I sit in Oct 2025 or wait?
- If you are ready, sit. The content hasn't changed, only the format. The slightly more generous timing may benefit candidates who struggle with speed.