Executive summary
The UK Medical Licensing Assessment (UKMLA) is now the single, national standard for entry to the medical register, integrated into every UK medical school's final year. The assessment is comprised of an Applied Knowledge Test (AKT) and a Clinical & Professional Skills Assessment (CPSA), both of which are mapped directly to the GMC's official MLA Content Map. The most effective revision strategy, therefore, starts with this official blueprint, then layers on high-quality question banks, targeted OSCE practice, and a new generation of smart AI tools (GMC UK).
Your essential resources should include the official GMC and Medical Schools Council guidance, authoritative clinical references like the BNF and NICE CKS for verifying answers, and proven question banks from Passmedicine, Quesmed, and BMJ OnExamination. For practical skills, Geeky Medics remains a cornerstone. To make your study more efficient, AI-powered add-ons like iatroX (which offers a free, UK-centric adaptive quiz) and Anki (for spaced repetition) can help you close knowledge gaps faster and retain information for longer.
What the UKMLA requires (and why this shapes your revision)
The UKMLA is a two-part assessment:
- The AKT (Applied Knowledge Test): A computer-based exam consisting of single-best-answer (SBA) questions that test your clinical knowledge and ability to apply it.
- The CPSA (Clinical and Professional Skills Assessment): A practical, OSCE-style assessment of your clinical skills, communication, and professional behaviours.
Both parts are derived from the MLA Content Map, which outlines the core conditions, presentations, and practical skills every UK doctor must know. This means your revision must be broad, covering the full scope of the curriculum, and aligned with the professional values of UK practice (GMC UK, AMBOSS).
How to choose a revision platform (evaluation criteria)
- Content mapping: Does the platform explicitly align its content with the GMC's MLA Content Map?
- Question quality: Are the questions written by experienced clinicians? Do they have detailed, clear explanations? Do they include a good mix of images and data interpretation items?
- OSCE/CPSA preparation: Does it provide mark schemes, checklists, and video examples for practical stations?
- Performance analytics: Can you track your progress, identify weak areas, and does the platform use learning science like spaced repetition?
- Evidence-linking: Do the explanations reference key UK sources like NICE guidelines or the BNF?
The current landscape: popular platforms & what they’re best for
- Passmedicine: A giant in UK medical revision, offering a very large SBA bank for finals and the UKMLA, with strong sections on data interpretation and picture questions, as well as OSCE and PSA resources.
- Pastest: Provides comprehensive UKMLA guides, past-paper style question sets, and a range of video and podcast content.
- Quesmed: A modern platform with dedicated UKMLA AKT and CPSA/OSCE mark schemes. It boasts over 11,000 clinical questions and allows for the creation of university-specific mock exams.
- BMJ OnExamination: Offers a bank of over 2,000 MLA-aligned questions. A key benefit is that it is often available for free to BMA members.
- AMBOSS: Known for its integrated learning articles and Q-bank, AMBOSS has a specific UKMLA study guide and checklist that is excellent for rapid topic review alongside question practice.
- Geeky Medics: The definitive resource for OSCEs. Its extensive library of step-by-step guides and interactive stations is closely mapped to the MLA blueprint, making it essential for CPSA preparation.
- Zero to Finals: An excellent resource for building foundational knowledge, with concise summaries and a range of coursebooks and flashcards.
Quick comparison table
| Platform | Best for | Mapped to UKMLA | OSCE/CPSA Tools | App/Offline | Price Notes | Stand-out Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passmedicine | Breadth of MCQs & Value | Yes | Yes | Yes | Low-cost subscription | Large, trusted Q-bank |
| Pastest | Past-paper style sets | Yes | Yes | Yes | Subscription | Videos & podcasts |
| Quesmed | Integrated learning | Yes | Yes (mark schemes) | Yes | Subscription | University-specific mocks |
| BMJ OnExam | BMA member value | Yes | No | Yes | Free for BMA members | Trusted BMJ content |
| AMBOSS | Q-bank + Library | Yes (study guide) | No | Yes | Subscription | Integrated learning articles |
| Geeky Medics | OSCE / CPSA prep | Yes | Yes (extensive) | No | Free / Paid Tiers | Gold standard for OSCEs |
AI-powered revision: faster feedback, better retention
AI tools are not a replacement for the classic stack, but they are a powerful accelerator.
iatroX (free, UK-centric)
- Knowledge Centre / Ask iatroX: After you've done a block of MCQs, use Ask iatroX to get fast, cited answers that can help you understand the "why" behind an answer, with links that can route you to the definitive UK guidance on NICE or SIGN.
- iatroX Quiz: This is your daily revision engine. It features an adaptive learning algorithm that targets your weak areas and a spaced repetition mode to help you retain information for longer. It's mapped to the UKMLA curriculum and is completely free.
Anki (Spaced Repetition System)
- Anki is a powerful, open-source flashcard program that uses spaced repetition to schedule your reviews for optimal retention. It's perfect for high-volume topics like pharmacology and diagnostic criteria.
How to build an efficient UKMLA + finals study plan
- Phase 1 (foundation): Start with high-yield reading to build your knowledge base (e.g., Zero to Finals or AMBOSS articles), supplemented with light SBA practice.
- Phase 2 (application): This is your core revision phase. Work through mixed-vendor SBAs from platforms like Passmedicine, Geeky Medics, and Quesmed, and be aggressive in reviewing the explanations for every question.
- Phase 3 (performance): In the final weeks, your focus should be on performance. Run through timed OSCE/CPSA stations using the mark schemes from Quesmed and Geeky Medics. Sit full-length mock exams and create "weak-area loops" where you drill the topics you consistently get wrong.
Sample 8-week timetable (during term time)
| Day | Activity (≤2 hours) |
|---|---|
| Mon–Thu | 60 mins of mixed SBAs (e.g., from Passmedicine). 15 mins to clarify misses with iatroX/CKS. 15 mins of spaced repetition review (iatroX Quiz/Anki). |
| Fri | 60 mins of focused CPSA practice using a Geeky Medics station and checklist. |
| Weekend | Optional: a timed mock block from Quesmed or BMJ OnExam, followed by a full debrief. |
FAQs
- Is the UKMLA replacing finals?
- UK medical schools are integrating the UKMLA (both the AKT and CPSA) into their final year programmes from the academic year 2024–25. Your university's finals are being aligned to meet the UKMLA requirements.
- What’s the difference between the AKT and CPSA?
- The AKT is a computer-based multiple-choice exam testing your applied knowledge. The CPSA is a practical, OSCE-style assessment of your clinical and professional skills. Both are assessed against the GMC's MLA Content Map.
- Passmedicine vs Quesmed: which is better for UKMLA?
- Both are excellent and widely used. Passmedicine is known for its vast question bank and value, while Quesmed offers a modern interface and integrated notes. The best strategy is often to use one as your primary bank and the other for mock exams.
- Is BMJ OnExam free if I’m a BMA member?
- Yes, at the time of writing, the BMA offers its student members free access to the BMJ OnExamination MLA question bank. Check the BMA website for the latest offer.
- How many SBAs should I aim to complete before the AKT?
- There is no magic number. The focus should be on mastering the explanations and understanding your errors, not just completing a certain volume. Most successful candidates complete several thousand questions.