Important dates for Aspiring RACGP Fellows – RACGP Fellowship Exams

The journey to becoming a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (FRACGP) is a significant milestone for doctors pursuing a career in general practice in Australia. Central to this journey are the Fellowship Exams, which assess a candidate’s readiness for unsupervised practice. Here's what you need to know to successfully enrol, sit, and pass these exams.

The exams are run in 6 monthly cycles, so are available twice each calendar year.

🧠 Exam Format & Sitting Requirements

The RACGP Fellowship Exams consist of three components:

1. Applied Knowledge Test (AKT)

2. Key Feature Problem (KFP)

3. Clinical Competency Exam (CCE)

Note: You must pass both AKT and KFP before sitting the CCE. You may enrol in the CCE while awaiting AKT/KFP results, but will be withdrawn and refunded if unsuccessful.

📊 Results: When to Expect Them

Results are typically released 6–8 weeks after each exam.

📋 Enrolment: Your First Step

Enrolment in RACGP Fellowship Exams is not automatic. Candidates must actively monitor enrolment periods and submit their applications within the designated timeframe. Key points include:

• Eligibility: You must be on an approved pathway such as AGPT, RVTS, FSP, or Practice Experience Program (RACGP PEP Specialist Pathway).

• Medical Registration: Current registration with the Medical Board of Australia is mandatory.

• Enrolment Limits: You can attempt the exams up to six times over three years.

• Payment: Fees are payable via credit card or PayPal, and confirmation is sent via email

🧠 Exam Structure: What You’ll Face

The RACGP Fellowship Exams consist of three components:

1. Applied Knowledge Test (AKT)

   • Format: 150 multiple-choice questions

   • Duration: 3.5 hours

   • Focus: Clinical knowledge application

   • Fee: $2,721

2. Key Feature Problem (KFP)

   • Format (2025.2 onwards): 70 multiple selection questions

   • Duration: 3.5 hours

   • Focus: Clinical reasoning

   • Fee: $2,721

   • Note: Written short answers have been removed

3. Clinical Competency Exam (CCE)

   • Format: Remote Clinical Exam (RCE)

   • Dates: Held over two weekends

   • Fee: $5,565

   • Prerequisite: Must pass AKT and KFP before sitting the CCE

4. Venue Allocation: AKT and KFP are held at designated venues across Australia. Early enrolment is advised due to limited capacity

📊 Results & Progression

• Release Timeline: Results are typically released 6–8 weeks after the exam.

• Progression: You must pass both AKT and KFP before attempting the CCE. If you enrol in the CCE while awaiting results and fail AKT/KFP, you’ll be withdrawn and refunded.racgp

• Failure to Pass: If you don’t pass all three exams within six attempts over three years, you won’t be eligible for Fellowship.

🗓️ Upcoming Exam Dates (2025–2026)

2025.2 Cycle

• AKT: 4 July | KFP: 5 July | CCE: 18–19 & 25–26 October

• Results: AKT/KFP – 22 August | CCE – 25 November

2026.1 Cycle

• AKT: 16 Jan | KFP: 17 Jan | CCE: 13–14 & 20–21 June

• Results: CCE – 22 July

🎯 Final Thoughts

Preparing for the RACGP Fellowship Exams is a rigorous but rewarding process. Staying informed about enrolment deadlines, understanding exam formats, and planning your study strategy are key to success. Whether you're just beginning your journey or gearing up for your final exam, the RACGP provides resources and support to help you achieve Fellowship.

📋 Enrolment: Key Steps & Deadlines

To sit the RACGP Fellowship Exams, candidates must enrol during the designated periods. Late enrolments are accepted only within 7 days of the deadline and incur a $100 non-refundable fee.

✅ Enrolment Dates for 2025.2 Cycle:

• AKT & KFP

  • Open: 4 April 2025

  • Close: 1 May 2025

• CCE

  • Open: 29 July 2025

  • Close: 26 August 2025

✅ Enrolment Dates for 2026.1 Cycle:

• AKT & KFP

  • Open: 2 September 2025

  • Close: 30 September 2025

• CCE

  • Open: 19 February 2026

  • Close: 23 March 2026

📅 Results Release Dates:

• 2025.2 Cycle

  • AKT & KFP: 22 August 2025

  • CCE: 25 November 2025

• 2026.1 Cycle

  • CCE: 22 July 2026

  • AKT & KFP: TBC (likely February 2026)

🗂️ Summary of Key Dates (2025–2026)

Exam	Enrolment Open	Enrolment Close	Exam Date(s)	Results
AKT 2025.2	4 Apr 2025	1 May 2025	4 Jul 2025	22 Aug 2025
KFP 2025.2	4 Apr 2025	1 May 2025	5 Jul 2025	22 Aug 2025
CCE 2025.2	29 Jul 2025	26 Aug 2025	18–19 & 25–26 Oct 2025	25 Nov 2025
AKT 2026.1	2 Sep 2025	30 Sep 2025	16 Jan 2026	TBC
KFP 2026.1	2 Sep 2025	30 Sep 2025	17 Jan 2026	TBC
CCE 2026.1	19 Feb 2026	23 Mar 2026	13–14 & 20–21 Jun 2026	22 Jul 2026

🎯 Final Thoughts

The RACGP Fellowship Exams are a rigorous but structured pathway to becoming a fully qualified GP in Australia. Staying on top of enrolment windows and exam dates is crucial. Plan early, prepare thoroughly, and keep these dates handy to ensure a smooth journey to Fellowship.

Thinking about your career options after Fellowship Exams?

Completing exams is a natural time for you to consider new options, potentially a DPA GP job, close to a capital city. Doctor Connect specialise in helping newly Fellowed GPs find the right supportive practice matching your long-term career aspirations.

If you are experienced in Family Medicine, if you have good exposure to Australian General Practice, and are using a structured approach to your study for the exams like the platform https://www.passgp.au/passgp-academy , then we are confident that you will do well in exams.

Its actually a good idea to discuss this with a Doctor Connect Recruitment Consultant, when you are making plans, because we are able to match you with practices who can offer suitable jobs with 3, 6 or even 12 months notice ahead of time – then you’ll know what you are working towards.