Dr Kola Tytler (MBBS CertHE MBA MRCGP)|21 April 2026|8 min read
The UKMLA is now the single national standard for entry to the UK medical register. Every UK medical school graduate and every international medical graduate seeking UK practice must pass the UKMLA. The assessment consists of two parts: the Applied Knowledge Test (AKT) — a computer-based written exam — and the Clinical and Professional Skills Assessment (CPSA), which tests clinical and communication skills in an OSCE-style format.
This guide focuses on the AKT, covering the exam structure, the MLA Content Map, revision strategy, resource selection, and the specific considerations for IMGs.
The AKT Format
The UKMLA AKT is a computer-based exam consisting of 150–200 single best answer questions. It is pass/fail — there is no ranking. The questions test the ability to apply medical knowledge to clinical scenarios, covering diagnosis, investigation, management, prescribing, patient safety, and professional behaviour. All content is aligned to the GMC's official MLA Content Map.
The MLA Content Map is the definitive blueprint for the exam. It specifies the clinical presentations, conditions, and competencies that can be tested. Any effective revision strategy starts with this document. The 2026 GMC MLA Content Map is scheduled for an update in September 2026. Candidates sitting before this date should use the current content map; candidates sitting after should check for updates.
Revision Strategy
The core approach is the same as any SBA-based exam: high-volume question practice with careful review of explanations, supplemented by structured topic reading for weak areas.
Start by establishing your baseline. Do a diagnostic set of 50–100 questions across all topics. Identify where you are strong (scoring above 70%) and where you are weak (scoring below 60%). This determines how you allocate your time.
For strong areas, maintain with periodic revision — do questions occasionally to prevent knowledge decay but do not spend most of your time here. For weak areas, combine question practice with topic reading. Use a resource like NICE CKS, the BNF, or iatroX's clinical AI to understand the guideline behind the correct answer, not just the answer itself.
As the exam approaches, shift to timed mock exams. The AKT is a timed exam with approximately one minute per question. Practising under time pressure is essential for pacing.
The Best UKMLA AKT Resources
Question Banks
PassMedicine offers the largest UKMLA and finals bank at 11,000+ SBA questions. It also includes OSCE and PSA resources. The integrated Knowledge Tutor textbook and community comment threads make it a comprehensive learning ecosystem. Pricing is very affordable — typically £20–35.
Quesmed is a modern, app-first platform covering UKMLA alongside MRCP, MSRA, and UCAT. Its integrated knowledge library links notes to each question, and OSCE mark schemes with progress tracking are included. The mobile app with offline support is excellent. Pricing starts from approximately £14.99 per month.
iatroX offers a free UKMLA Q-bank with AI-adaptive learning. The adaptive algorithm selects questions based on your weak areas, and the spaced repetition mode schedules reviews at optimal intervals. The UKMLA Academy provides structured content for 430+ conditions mapped to the 2026 GMC MLA Content Map, with clinical features, red flags, tiered investigations, NICE-stepped management, and exam tips for each condition. iatroX is UKCA-marked and MHRA-registered.
BMJ OnExamination offers a UKMLA and finals module. Many universities and NHS Trusts provide free access through library subscriptions — always check before purchasing a personal subscription.
MedRevisions offers 5,400+ questions aligned to the MLA Content Map, primarily serving the PLAB and UKMLA market. It is trusted by 30,000+ doctors and has a Gemini-powered AI tutor.
UKMLA Question Bank (ukmlaquestionbank.com) is a dedicated UKMLA platform with study guides and IMG-specific guidance.
iMedics offers a free UKMLA tier alongside paid packages. It covers 10+ exams including UCAT and UKFPO.
OSCE and CPSA Resources
The AKT is only half of the UKMLA. The CPSA tests clinical and communication skills in structured stations. While this guide focuses on the AKT, effective UKMLA preparation includes OSCE practice.
Geeky Medics is the dominant OSCE resource in UK medical education, with gold-standard examination guides and clinical videos. OsceStop offers structured mark schemes and clinical scenarios. Quesmed includes OSCE mark schemes with progress tracking within the same subscription as the AKT Q-bank. iatroX's Brainstorm mode provides AI-powered case simulation for clinical reasoning practice.
Supplementary Resources
almostadoctor provides 1,000+ free articles and OSCE checklists — good for quick topic reference. Zero to Finals offers structured revision notes, published books, flashcards, and a podcast — the strongest structured free-content resource. Spranki is a free UKMLA-specific Anki deck for flashcard-based memorisation.
NICE CKS and the BNF are essential reference tools. When you get a question wrong, checking the relevant CKS topic or BNF entry — or using iatroX's clinical AI to query the guideline — closes the loop between practice and understanding.
Guidance for IMGs
Since August 2024, PLAB 1 has been aligned with the MLA Content Map. This means that PLAB 1 and the UKMLA AKT test the same clinical knowledge. Whether you book an exam under the name "PLAB 1" or "UKMLA AKT," the content is effectively identical.
The practical implication: PLAB-branded resources (PLABable, MedRevisions, Pastest PLAB modules) and UKMLA-branded resources (Geeky Medics, Quesmed, PassMedicine) are both applicable. The underlying clinical content is the same.
iatroX covers both PLAB and UKMLA for free. Since the content is aligned, one bank serves both exams. For a detailed comparison of the relationship between PLAB and UKMLA, see the PLAB vs UKMLA comparison.
IMG-specific considerations: familiarise yourself with UK-specific guidelines (NICE, CKS, BNF). Many correct answers in the UKMLA are determined by UK guideline recommendations, which may differ from the management approaches used in your home country. Using a UK-focused Q-bank (rather than a global resource) ensures you learn the UK-specific management.
Study Plan
For UK medical students integrating UKMLA preparation into their final year, the AKT revision typically runs alongside clinical placements. Start Q-bank practice at the beginning of the final year, aiming for 30–50 questions per day alongside clinical learning. Increase to 50–80 questions per day in the dedicated revision period before the exam.
For IMGs preparing for PLAB 1/UKMLA, a dedicated 3–6 month preparation period is typical. Focus heavily on UK-specific guidelines (NICE, CKS, BNF), prescribing conventions (BNF), and clinical scenarios set in UK primary care and hospital contexts.
For both groups, mock exams under timed conditions are essential. Do at least 3–4 full-length mocks before sitting the real exam.
Information based on GMC publications and public sources as of 21 April 2026. Trademarks belong to their owners.