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100+ Free MICGP CKT Practice Questions

Pass your MICGP Core Knowledge Test (CKT) exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: MICGP CKT Exam

180 questions

The current CKT consists of 180 single best answer questions

ICGP - Core Knowledge Test (CKT)

3 hours

Time allowed for the CKT paper

ICGP - Core Knowledge Test (CKT)

5 options

Each SBA question offers five options with one single best answer

ICGP - Core Knowledge Test (CKT)

No negative marking

Correct answer scores +1 and incorrect or multiple answers score 0

ICGP - Core Knowledge Test (CKT)

From Year 2

The CKT can be taken from Year 2 of GP training

ICGP - Core Knowledge Test (CKT)

Criterion-referenced

Passing standard is set by standardisation procedures, not a fixed percentage

ICGP - MICGP Exam Modules

16 domains

Questions are drawn from 16 topic areas in the Core Curriculum for Irish General Practice

ICGP - Core Knowledge Test (CKT)

100

Free original CKT practice questions here

OpenExamPrep

The MICGP Core Knowledge Test (CKT) is the ICGP's applied-knowledge module for Irish GP trainees, taken from Year 2 of training. It is a single best answer paper of 180 questions (select one from five options) sat over three hours, with no negative marking (+1 correct, 0 incorrect). It is criterion-referenced with no fixed percentage pass mark; the standard is set by recognised standardisation procedures each sitting. Questions test application of best general-practice care across 16 domains in the Core Curriculum for Irish General Practice, weighted toward general medicine, cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine and GI topics. This 100-question bank provides original Irish-context practice across all CKT domains with full explanations.

Sample MICGP CKT Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your MICGP CKT exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1A 58-year-old man with no prior cardiovascular disease has a clinic blood pressure of 158/96 mmHg confirmed on ambulatory monitoring. He has no diabetes or chronic kidney disease. According to standard Irish primary-care practice, which is the most appropriate first-line antihypertensive?
A.An ACE inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker
B.A beta-blocker
C.An alpha-blocker
D.A loop diuretic
Explanation: For a patient under 55 without other indications, and especially in those without African or Caribbean ancestry, an ACE inhibitor (or an ARB if not tolerated) is first-line for hypertension. Calcium-channel blockers are the usual first-line in older patients. Beta-blockers are no longer routine first-line for uncomplicated hypertension.
2A 70-year-old woman with non-valvular atrial fibrillation has a CHA2DS2-VASc score of 4. She has no contraindication to anticoagulation. What is the most appropriate management to reduce her stroke risk?
A.Aspirin 75 mg daily
B.Oral anticoagulation
C.No antithrombotic therapy
D.Clopidogrel 75 mg daily
Explanation: A CHA2DS2-VASc score of 4 indicates high stroke risk, and oral anticoagulation (a DOAC or warfarin) is recommended. Antiplatelet therapy is not an effective alternative to anticoagulation for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation.
3A 24-year-old woman presents with a 3-day history of dysuria, frequency and suprapubic discomfort. She is otherwise well, afebrile, and not pregnant. There is no vaginal discharge. What is the most appropriate initial management?
A.Send urine for culture and wait before treating
B.Empirical short-course antibiotic such as nitrofurantoin
C.Reassure and advise fluids only
D.Refer urgently to urology
Explanation: In a non-pregnant woman with typical symptoms of uncomplicated lower UTI, empirical antibiotics such as nitrofurantoin are recommended without waiting for culture. Urine culture is reserved for treatment failure, recurrence, pregnancy or atypical features.
4A 45-year-old man presents with a 30-minute history of central crushing chest pain radiating to the left arm, with sweating and nausea. His ECG shows ST elevation in the inferior leads. What is the most appropriate immediate action in general practice?
A.Arrange an outpatient cardiology appointment
B.Give aspirin and arrange emergency ambulance transfer for primary PCI
C.Prescribe a proton-pump inhibitor for likely reflux
D.Advise rest and review in 24 hours
Explanation: This is an ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Immediate management includes giving aspirin 300 mg (chewed) and calling an emergency ambulance for urgent transfer to a centre for primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Time to reperfusion is critical.
5A 6-month-old infant presents with coryza, a barking cough developing into wheeze, increased work of breathing and fine crackles. He is feeding less. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A.Bronchiolitis
B.Croup
C.Bacterial pneumonia
D.Whooping cough
Explanation: Bronchiolitis, usually caused by RSV, is the most common lower respiratory tract infection in infants under one year, presenting with coryza followed by cough, wheeze, crackles and increased work of breathing with feeding difficulty. Management is largely supportive.
6A 35-year-old woman requests contraception. She is a smoker of 20 cigarettes per day and is 36 years old at her next birthday. She has migraines without aura. Which contraceptive option is contraindicated?
A.Progestogen-only pill
B.Combined oral contraceptive pill
C.Copper intrauterine device
D.Etonogestrel implant
Explanation: The combined oral contraceptive pill is contraindicated (UKMEC 4) in women aged 35 or over who smoke 15 or more cigarettes per day because of the markedly increased cardiovascular and venous thromboembolism risk. Progestogen-only methods and the copper IUD are safe alternatives.
7A 52-year-old man with type 2 diabetes has an HbA1c of 64 mmol/mol despite maximal metformin. He has established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Which add-on agent has the best evidence for cardiovascular benefit in this setting?
A.A sulfonylurea such as gliclazide
B.An SGLT2 inhibitor
C.A thiazolidinedione
D.Acarbose
Explanation: In type 2 diabetes with established cardiovascular disease, SGLT2 inhibitors (and GLP-1 receptor agonists) have proven cardiovascular and renal benefits and are preferred as add-on therapy. Sulfonylureas lower glucose but lack this cardiovascular advantage and cause hypoglycaemia and weight gain.
8A 28-year-old woman presents with low mood, anhedonia, poor sleep and reduced concentration for six weeks following a relationship breakdown. She has no suicidal ideation and symptoms are moderately impairing. What is the most appropriate first-line treatment in primary care?
A.A benzodiazepine
B.An SSRI and/or psychological therapy
C.A tricyclic antidepressant at high dose
D.An antipsychotic
Explanation: For moderate depression, first-line treatment is an SSRI antidepressant and/or a structured psychological therapy such as CBT. SSRIs are preferred over tricyclics because of their better safety profile and tolerability.
9A 60-year-old man presents with a slowly enlarging, pearly, telangiectatic nodule with a rolled edge and central ulceration on the side of his nose, present for many months. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A.Basal cell carcinoma
B.Seborrhoeic keratosis
C.Squamous cell carcinoma
D.Actinic keratosis
Explanation: A slow-growing pearly nodule with surface telangiectasia, a rolled edge and central ulceration on a sun-exposed site is the classic appearance of a basal cell carcinoma, the most common skin cancer. It rarely metastasises but causes local destruction, so referral for treatment is appropriate.
10A 3-year-old child presents with a barking cough, hoarse voice and inspiratory stridor that is worse when upset, but no stridor at rest and normal oxygen saturations. What is the most appropriate management?
A.Single dose of oral dexamethasone
B.Oral amoxicillin
C.Nebulised adrenaline and urgent admission
D.Inhaled salbutamol
Explanation: This is mild to moderate croup (laryngotracheobronchitis). A single dose of oral dexamethasone is the recommended treatment and reduces symptom severity and the need for further care. Nebulised adrenaline is reserved for severe croup with stridor at rest or respiratory distress.

About the MICGP CKT Exam

The MICGP Core Knowledge Test (CKT) is one of the modules of the MICGP examination run by the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) and is taken by GP trainees from Year 2 of training. It tests the application of knowledge within the context of current best general practice across the Core Curriculum for Irish General Practice. The paper currently consists of 180 single best answer questions sat over three hours, with each item presenting a clinical stem, usually a lead-in question and five plausible options of which one is the single best answer. There is no negative marking: a correct answer scores +1 and an incorrect or multiple answer scores 0. Topic areas span clinical and minor surgery, consultation skills, dermatology, emergency medicine, ENT, general (internal) medicine, infectious diseases, women's health and obstetrics & gynaecology, ophthalmology, paediatrics, palliative care, practice management, psychiatry and mental health, rheumatology and musculoskeletal medicine, sexual health, and therapeutics and prescribing.

Assessment

180 single best answer (SBA) multiple-choice questions. Each item has a clinical stem, usually a lead-in question, and five plausible options of which only one is the single best answer. Questions are drawn from the topic areas in the Core Curriculum for Irish General Practice.

Time Limit

Three hours for the CKT paper.

Passing Score

Criterion-referenced with no fixed percentage cutoff. The passing standard is set for each sitting using internationally recognised standardisation procedures, and all candidates who reach that standard pass.

Exam Fee

The CKT module fee is set by the ICGP and published on its website as part of the MICGP examination fees; it is reimbursable for eligible trainees under the Training Support Scheme (TSS). (Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP))

MICGP CKT Exam Content Outline

Heaviest

General medicine, cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine and GI

The largest share of CKT questions covers common chronic and acute medical problems managed in primary care: hypertension and cardiovascular risk, ischaemic heart disease, heart failure, atrial fibrillation and anticoagulation, asthma and COPD, type 2 diabetes and thyroid disease, and GI conditions such as dyspepsia, GORD, IBS and coeliac disease, applying ICGP and HSE guidance.

Significant

Mental health, women's health and sexual health

Assessment and management of depression, anxiety and self-harm risk; contraception, emergency contraception, menopause and HRT; cervical screening through CervicalCheck and antenatal care; and sexual health including STI testing, PrEP and partner notification in the Irish setting.

Moderate

Paediatrics, dermatology, MSK/rheumatology, ENT and ophthalmology

Childhood illness, fever, immunisation schedules and developmental concerns; recognition of common rashes and red-flag skin lesions; gout, osteoarthritis and inflammatory arthritis; ENT problems such as otitis media and sore throat scoring; and acute eye complaints including the painful red eye and sudden visual loss.

Moderate

Emergency, palliative care, infectious disease, therapeutics and practice management

Recognition and initial management of acute deterioration, anaphylaxis and sepsis; symptom control and syringe-driver prescribing in palliative care; antimicrobial stewardship and notifiable diseases; safe prescribing, monitoring and drug interactions; and practice management and medico-legal topics such as certification, consent, capacity and data protection in Irish general practice.

How to Pass the MICGP CKT Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Criterion-referenced with no fixed percentage cutoff. The passing standard is set for each sitting using internationally recognised standardisation procedures, and all candidates who reach that standard pass.
  • Assessment: 180 single best answer (SBA) multiple-choice questions. Each item has a clinical stem, usually a lead-in question, and five plausible options of which only one is the single best answer. Questions are drawn from the topic areas in the Core Curriculum for Irish General Practice.
  • Time limit: Three hours for the CKT paper.
  • Exam fee: The CKT module fee is set by the ICGP and published on its website as part of the MICGP examination fees; it is reimbursable for eligible trainees under the Training Support Scheme (TSS).

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

MICGP CKT Study Tips from Top Performers

1Map your revision to the 16 CKT domains in the Core Curriculum for Irish General Practice and weight your time toward general medicine, cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine and GI topics, which carry the most questions.
2Use Irish sources first: ICGP quick reference guides, HSE clinical guidelines and the Irish Medicines Formulary, because the CKT tests best practice in the Irish context, not just generic textbook answers.
3Practise reading the whole stem and the lead-in before looking at the options; in single best answer items several options are deliberately plausible and the question word decides the best one.
4Because there is no negative marking, never leave a question blank; eliminate clearly wrong options and make your best choice on anything you are unsure about.
5Drill applied management and prescribing: doses, first-line versus second-line choice, monitoring and red flags for referral, rather than rote facts, since the CKT rewards application of knowledge.
6Do timed sets of questions to build pace; with 180 questions in three hours you have about one minute per item, so practise flagging hard questions and moving on.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the MICGP CKT and how long is it?

The CKT currently consists of 180 single best answer questions and is sat over three hours. Earlier exam regulations referenced 200 questions, but the current ICGP module page states 180.

What format are CKT questions?

They are single best answer (SBA) items: a clinical stem, usually a lead-in question, and five plausible options. All five may sound reasonable, but only one is the single best answer and you choose that one.

Is there negative marking on the CKT?

No. There is no negative marking. A correct answer scores +1, and an incorrect answer or more than one answer recorded scores 0, so it is always worth attempting every question.

What is the pass mark for the CKT?

The CKT is criterion-referenced with no fixed percentage pass mark. A passing standard is set for each sitting using internationally recognised standardisation procedures, and every candidate who reaches that standard passes.

When can GP trainees sit the CKT?

The CKT can be taken from Year 2 of training. It is open to trainees on ICGP-recognised programmes who have not yet passed the module, and to eligible candidates within two years of completing such a programme.

Are these official ICGP exam questions?

No. These are original OpenExamPrep practice questions modelled on the CKT's domains and Irish primary-care guidance. They are for revision only and are not past or sample ICGP exam questions.