1. What is the UKMLA AKT?
The UK Medical Licensing Assessment (UKMLA) is the standardised licensing examination introduced by the General Medical Council (GMC) for all doctors wishing to practise medicine in the United Kingdom. It replaced the previous Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) test for international medical graduates and was introduced for UK graduates from 2024 onwards.
The UKMLA consists of two components: the Applied Knowledge Test (AKT) — a written, computer-based examination — and the Clinical and Professional Skills Assessment (CPSA), which tests practical clinical skills. This guide focuses primarily on the AKT, as it is the component that most students find most challenging to prepare for.
The AKT is designed to test whether a candidate has the clinical knowledge required to practise safely as a foundation doctor in the UK. It is closely aligned with the GMC UKMLA Content Map, which specifies 430 conditions and 217 patient presentations that all candidates must be able to manage.
Key fact: The UKMLA AKT is sat by both UK medical graduates and international medical graduates (IMGs) seeking GMC registration. If you are an IMG, you may also be familiar with it as the replacement for PLAB 1.
2. UKMLA Exam Structure and Format
Understanding the format of the UKMLA AKT is the first step to passing it. The exam is structured as follows:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Format | Computer-based, single best answer (SBA) |
| Number of questions | 120 SBA questions |
| Duration | 2 hours 30 minutes |
| Question style | Clinical vignettes — patient scenarios requiring clinical decision-making |
| Pass mark | Set by GMC standard-setting; approximately 60–65% |
| Content | All 430 GMC UKMLA conditions and 217 patient presentations |
| Sitting frequency | Multiple sittings per year at approved test centres |
| Resits | Permitted; GMC sets rules on number of attempts |
Each question presents a clinical scenario — typically a patient presenting with symptoms, examination findings, and investigation results — and asks you to select the single best answer from five options. The questions test clinical reasoning and application of knowledge rather than rote recall of facts.
Questions are drawn from across all specialties, with a weighting that reflects the relative importance of each area in clinical practice. Cardiology, respiratory medicine, gastroenterology, and neurology tend to feature prominently, but no specialty can be safely ignored.
3. How to Revise for the UKMLA — Step-by-Step Strategy
The most effective UKMLA revision strategy is built around active recall and spaced repetition. Passive reading of textbooks is the least efficient way to prepare for a clinical knowledge examination. Instead, the evidence strongly supports practising SBA questions as the primary revision tool, using explanations and guidelines to fill knowledge gaps as they are identified.
Step 1: Understand the GMC Content Map
Download the GMC UKMLA Content Map and familiarise yourself with all 430 conditions and 217 patient presentations. This is your syllabus. Every question in the exam is drawn from this document. StethosUK maps every question to the relevant condition and patient presentation, so you can track your coverage systematically.
Step 2: Start practising SBA questions early
Begin practising SBA questions as early as possible — ideally 10–12 weeks before your exam. Do not wait until you feel 'ready'. The act of attempting questions, getting them wrong, and reading the explanation is the most powerful learning mechanism available. Aim for at least 30–50 questions per day during your dedicated revision period.
Step 3: Review every explanation, not just the ones you got wrong
Even when you answer a question correctly, read the full explanation. You may have chosen the right answer for the wrong reason, or the explanation may contain additional clinical pearls that will help you with related questions. Pay particular attention to NICE guideline references — the UKMLA is closely aligned with current guidelines.
Step 4: Use spaced repetition to consolidate knowledge
Spaced repetition is the practice of reviewing material at increasing intervals as you become more confident with it. StethosUK's built-in spaced repetition system automatically schedules questions for review at the optimal time, ensuring you do not forget material you have already learned.
Step 5: Sit timed mock exams
In the final 2–3 weeks before your exam, sit full timed mock exams under exam conditions. This builds the stamina and time management skills needed to perform consistently across 120 questions in 2.5 hours. Analyse your mock exam results by specialty to identify remaining weak areas.
4. The Best Resources to Pass the UKMLA
Choosing the right resources is critical. The UKMLA is a new examination, and not all revision resources are built specifically for its content map. Here is what to look for and what to prioritise:
| Resource Type | What to Look For | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| SBA question bank | Full GMC Content Map coverage, NICE-aligned explanations, spaced repetition, mock exam mode | Essential |
| NICE guidelines | CKS summaries for common conditions — especially first-line investigations and treatments | High |
| GMC UKMLA Content Map | The official syllabus — use it to track coverage and identify gaps | High |
| Clinical textbooks | Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine or similar for consolidation | Medium |
| Flashcards | Useful for pharmacology and key facts, but should supplement rather than replace question practice | Low–Medium |
StethosUK is the only UKMLA question bank built specifically around the full GMC Content Map, with 1,178+ SBA questions covering all 430 conditions and 217 patient presentations. Every explanation is written with reference to current NICE guidelines, and the platform includes spaced repetition, timed mock exams, and specialty-by-specialty progress tracking.
5. Common Mistakes That Cost Students Marks
Understanding the most common pitfalls is as important as knowing the right revision strategy. These are the mistakes that consistently cost students marks in the UKMLA AKT:
Revising passively
Reading notes and textbooks without testing yourself gives a false sense of confidence. Active recall through SBA questions is far more effective.
Ignoring weak specialties
It is tempting to focus on areas you enjoy or find easy. The UKMLA tests all specialties — a weak area in psychiatry or dermatology can cost you the pass mark.
Not reading explanations for correct answers
If you got a question right, you may still have gaps in your understanding. Always read the full explanation.
Leaving mock exams too late
Timed mock exams are not just for assessment — they are a revision tool. Sitting them early helps you identify gaps and builds exam technique.
Using resources not aligned to the UKMLA Content Map
Some question banks were built for older examinations (MRCP, finals) and do not reflect the UKMLA's specific content weighting. Use resources built specifically for the UKMLA.
Poor time management in the exam
120 questions in 150 minutes means 75 seconds per question. Practise under timed conditions so this pace feels natural on exam day.
6. UKMLA Revision Timeline
The following 10-week revision timeline is designed for a student beginning dedicated UKMLA revision approximately 10 weeks before their exam date. Adjust based on your starting point and available study time.
Download the GMC Content Map. Begin working through SBA questions systematically by specialty, starting with the highest-yield areas (cardiology, respiratory, gastroenterology, neurology). Aim for 30–40 questions per day. Read every explanation carefully.
Continue through remaining specialties. Use spaced repetition to revisit questions from earlier weeks. Begin identifying weak areas from your performance data. Spend extra time on low-scoring specialties.
Increase daily question volume to 50–60. Sit your first timed mock exam and analyse results by specialty. Focus revision on identified weak areas.
Sit 2–3 further timed mock exams under exam conditions. Review high-yield NICE guidelines for common conditions. Avoid learning new topics in the final week — consolidate what you know.
Maintain light revision only. Ensure you know the exam centre location and logistics. On exam day, read each question carefully — do not rush. Flag difficult questions and return to them.
7. Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UKMLA AKT?▾
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