The RACGP exams are an important aspect in achieving your Fellowship in General Practice. To help you navigate the process, our team at Ensure Health have collated a comprehensive selection of tips to help you with this important part of your GP journey.โ
The exam basics
The RACGP Fellowship exams are made up of three components:
1. Applied Knowledge Test (AKT)
A 3-hour, computer-based exam in a multiple choice format which tests your knowledge.
2. Key Feature Problems (KFP) exam
A 3.5-hour computer-based exam featuring GP cases with questions in multiple choice and short answer format which tests your decision-making skills.
3. Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE)
The OSCE is a 4 hour (approximately) exam which assesses competency based on objective testing through direct observation and role play. It is comprised of a number of stations in which examinees are expected to perform a variety of clinical tasks within a specified time period. The OSCE tests your clinical reasoning, communication skills and professional attitude.
Each of these exams are held twice per year. The AKT and KFP are held in February and July and the OSCE is held in May and November.
To ensure youโre well-equipped for what is required to both sit the exam, and in the exam situation itself, please review the resources below:
Some general advice
Here are some tips of a general nature, some of which youโve likely put to good use during your university and training years, but others that may be new to you.
- Read widely
All three exams test your knowledge in one form or another. A diverse reading list will yield great rewards here. Journals, textbooks, GP publications and RACGP specific documents will help, as will ensuring youโre up to speed with current guidelines. - Start your exam prep early
This is one of the most important tips we can offer. Many registrars weโve spoken to say starting at least six months before exams was the best move they made. It allowed them to incorporate study into their work and lifestyle to avoid feeling like they were suddenly overburdened. - Do the RACGP practice exams
The RACGP offer online practice exams and they are a great way to identify knowledge gaps and put a plan in place to improve them, both through reading and during your consults. We highly recommend you do the practice exams. Of the RACGP 2019 exam cohort, almost 70% of those who did the practice exams, passed the real one. Only 35% of those who opted not to practice, passed their real exam. - Attend a pre-exam course, listen to exam podcasts or watch videos
These are all really important resources to help you grasp exam content and the way each one is structured.