AKT Exam Content Outlines

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Anesthesia Knowledge Test-1

The Anesthesia Knowledge Test-1 (AKT-1) examination assesses knowledge of basic anesthesiology concepts at the beginning of clinical anesthesiology residency training (CA-1 year) and the growth of that knowledge during the first 4-6 weeks of training. The AKT-1 consists of a pair of examinations given as a pre- and post-test. The pre-test measures baseline anesthesiology knowledge, while the post-test measures the growth of that knowledge during the initial period of clinical training. The AKT-1 was introduced in 1977. It is revised every other year (even numbered years).

The AKT-1 Pre- and Post-Tests consist of 160 single-best-answer multiple choice questions. The examinations must be administered under standard conditions* in a secure proctored setting. The time limit for the examination is 120 minutes.

The questions cover nine (9) content areas. The approximate percentage of questions in each content areas is listed in parentheses.

  • Airway management (10%)

  • Anesthetic Techniques (15%)

  • Pharmacology (25%)

  • Physics, Instrumentation, and Monitoring (10%)

  • Physiology (10%)

  • Postanesthesia care (5%)

  • Preanesthesia assessment (15%)

  • Regional anesthesia (local and neuraxial anesthesia) (5%)

  • Resuscitation (5%)


Anesthesia Knowledge Test-6

The AKT-6 consists of 160 single-best-answer multiple choice questions. The examinations must be administered under standard conditions* in a secure proctored setting. The time limit for the examination is 120 minutes.

The questions cover eight (8) content areas. The approximate percentage of questions in each content areas is listed in parentheses.

  • Airway management (10%)

  • Anesthetic Techniques (25%)

  • Pharmacology (22%)

  • Physics, Instrumentation, and Monitoring (10%)

  • Physiology (10%)

  • Postanesthesia care (5%)

  • Preanesthesia assessment (10%)

  • Regional anesthesia (local and neuraxial anesthesia) (8%)


Anesthesia Knowledge Test-24

The Anesthesia Knowledge Test-24 (AKT-24) examination assesses knowledge after twenty-four months of clinical anesthesiology residency training (end of CA-2 year). The examination content focuses on anesthesiology subspecialty topics. It is revised every other year (odd numbered years).

The AKT-24 consists of 200 single-best-answer multiple choice questions. The examinations must be administered under standard conditions* in a secure proctored setting. The time limit for the examination is 150 minutes.

The questions cover seven (7) content areas:

  • Cardiothoracic Vascular Anesthesia (30 questions)

  • Critical Care Medicine (30 questions)

  • Neuroanesthesia (30 questions)

  • Obstetric Anesthesia (30 questions)

  • Pain Medicine (30 questions)

  • Pediatric Anesthesia (30 questions)

  • Perioperative Care (20 questions)


Reporting of Examination Results

Following completion of the examination, score reports will be made available to the program director. Individual score reports will include percent correct, a standard score, a percentile score based on national normative data, and keywords for questions answered incorrectly. Program directors will also have access to roster reports listing the results for all candidates from their programs.



*Standard conditions can be found here.