The AKT uses single best answer (SBA) questions. You choose the one best option from a list, even when more than one seems partly right.
Anatomy of a question
| Part | What it does |
|---|---|
| Stem | A short clinical story, sometimes with results or an image. |
| Lead-in | The actual question, such as the next best step or the most likely diagnosis. |
| Options | Several plausible answers. One is best for this patient now. |
A method that works
- Read the lead-in first, then the stem, so you know what you are looking for.
- Think of your answer before reading the options, then match it.
- Rule out options that are unsafe, outdated or not first-line in UK guidance.
- If torn, ask what a senior colleague would do now for this patient.
- Flag and move on if stuck. Time spent on one question is time lost on another.
Common traps
- Answering from habit instead of from UK first-line guidance (NICE, CKS, BNF).
- Choosing a correct statement that does not answer the lead-in.
- Missing a safety clue in the stem, such as an allergy, pregnancy or renal function.
Quick answers
- What type of questions are in the UKMLA AKT?
- Single best answer questions: a clinical stem, a lead-in question and several options, of which one is the best.
- How many questions are in the AKT?
- The AKT has 200 questions in two papers according to the GMC at the time of the last check. Confirm the current format on the GMC’s website.
- What is the best way to practise?
- Start with the GMC’s sample questions, then do mixed timed blocks in a UK-guideline question bank and review the explanation for every answer.
General education, reviewed 27 October 2026. Guidance changes: confirm with the official sources. Not medical, legal or immigration advice.