Dr Kola Tytler (MBBS CertHE MBA MRCGP)|21 April 2026|6 min read
UK medical trainees have access to more free exam preparation resources in 2026 than at any previous point. Between iatroX's free core exam banks, BMJ OnExamination via NHS Trust libraries, free content platforms, and the open-access UK clinical guidelines, a trainee on zero budget can build a credible revision stack.
This guide covers the optimal free stack, when free is genuinely sufficient, when to invest, and what expenses are eligible through deanery study budgets.
The £0 Stack
Q-Bank Layer
iatroX provides free Q-banks for: MRCP Part 1 and Part 2, MRCGP AKT, MSRA, PLAB 1, UKMLA AKT, MRCEM, PSA, and PANE. AI-adaptive learning targets weak areas automatically. Spaced repetition schedules reviews. Clinical AI provides instant guideline retrieval. Clinical calculators include 80+ tools. Native iOS and Android apps.
BMJ OnExamination: check whether your NHS Trust provides free access. Many do. Covers MRCP, AKT, MRCS, MRCOG, MRCPsych, MRCEM, and UKMLA.
iMedics: free tiers for PLAB, UKMLA, MRCP, MSRA, and more with limited questions.
Memorisation Layer
Spranki: free UKMLA-specific Anki deck. Download and start.
Anki (desktop free, AnkiDroid free, AnkiMobile £25 on iOS): create your own cards from Q-bank reviews.
Content Layer
Zero to Finals: free structured revision notes covering medicine, surgery, paediatrics, O&G. Podcast for audio revision.
almostadoctor: 1,000+ free articles and OSCE checklists.
Mind the Bleep: free webinars and clinical education for junior doctors.
Geeky Medics: free core OSCE guides and clinical examination videos.
Reference Layer
NICE CKS: free, open-access primary care evidence summaries. Essential for AKT and MSRA.
Official medicines resources: use relevant product SmPCs on eMC together with the current guidance and medicines reference specified by your course, employer or exam.
iatroX clinical AI: source-linked clinical retrieval. Ask a question about NICE or CKS guidance or product-specific information in an SmPC on eMC, then open the citation and verify it against the official exam scope and the clinical context.
When Free Is Sufficient
For MSRA and AKT, a low-cost stack is credible. Start with free iatroX sample questions for MSRA and AKT (up to 10 new questions per day, shared across exams; full banks require all-access), add BMJ OnExamination if Trust access is available, and use NICE CKS plus the current UK medicines-information services available to you for follow-up learning. Many trainees will benefit from adding PassMedicine (~£20–35) for additional volume.
For UKMLA, the free stack is strong. iatroX's free UKMLA bank plus Spranki plus Geeky Medics OSCE guides covers both AKT and CPSA preparation.
For MRCP Part 1, the free stack may be insufficient as a sole resource. The exam's breadth and difficulty mean that higher question volume (PassMedicine's 5,100+) provides genuine additional value. The free stack is a strong supplement but may not be enough alone for most first-attempt candidates.
When to Invest
The single highest-return investment for most UK trainees is PassMedicine at ~£20–35 per module. The volume, comment threads, and Knowledge Tutor textbook add meaningful value on top of the free stack.
For SJT preparation specifically, Emedica is the investment most likely to improve your MSRA Professional Dilemmas score.
For specialist diplomas (DRCOG, DFSRH, DGM, DipIMC, FFICM, DTM&H), iatroX's £99/year bundle is the most cost-effective option.
Study Budget Eligibility
Most UK training programmes provide a study budget (typically £600–1,000 per year for GP trainees). Check with your programme what expenses are eligible. Q-bank subscriptions, exam fees, courses, and textbooks are typically claimable. Some platforms (notably PassMRCPsych) specifically market themselves as study-budget-eligible — ask your programme administrator.
iatroX's specialist diploma subscription (£99/year) is a single receipt covering six diploma banks — straightforward for study budget claims.
Information based on public sources as of 21 April 2026. Trademarks belong to their owners.