The MLA content map covers approximately 430 conditions across every medical specialty. You cannot study everything equally. Time is finite, and some topics appear in exam after exam while others appear once every few sittings. Smart preparation means spending more time on topics that generate more marks.
This breakdown estimates the exam weighting by specialty based on the MLA content map structure, candidate reports from recent sittings, and the relative number of conditions per domain. Use it to allocate your study time proportionally.
Medicine (Approximately 35-40% of Exam)
This is the largest single domain. Within medicine, the highest-yield areas are cardiovascular (hypertension, ACS, heart failure, AF, PE, DVT — approximately 8-10% of the exam alone), respiratory (asthma, COPD, pneumonia, PE, lung cancer — approximately 6-8%), gastroenterology (IBD, coeliac, liver disease, GI bleeding, pancreatitis — approximately 5-6%), endocrine (diabetes types 1 and 2, thyroid disease, Addison's, Cushing's — approximately 4-5%), renal (AKI, CKD, electrolyte disorders, UTI, renal stones — approximately 3-4%), neurology (stroke, epilepsy, headache, MS, meningitis — approximately 4-5%), and haematology (anaemia, leukaemia, lymphoma, clotting disorders — approximately 2-3%).
Invest the most time here. Medicine questions reward systematic knowledge of NICE-aligned management pathways. Ask iatroX provides instant access to every NICE recommendation in this domain.
Surgery (Approximately 10-12%)
Acute surgical presentations dominate: acute abdomen, appendicitis, bowel obstruction, cholecystitis, testicular torsion, fracture management, compartment syndrome, and urological emergencies. You do not need to know operative techniques — you need to know when to refer, what investigations to request, and the initial management before the surgeon takes over.
Women's Health (Approximately 10-12%)
Significantly expanded in the MLA content map. High-yield topics: obstetric emergencies (pre-eclampsia, ectopic pregnancy, placental abruption, postpartum haemorrhage), antenatal care (screening, gestational diabetes, hypertension in pregnancy), gynaecology (menstrual disorders, ovarian pathology, cervical screening), and contraception (all methods, including long-acting reversible contraception).
Paediatrics (Approximately 8-10%)
The febrile child, safeguarding (mandatory — appears in every sitting), developmental milestones, neonatal conditions (jaundice, sepsis, respiratory distress), common childhood infections, and paediatric emergencies (meningitis, bronchiolitis, croup, status epilepticus).
Psychiatry (Approximately 8-10%)
Depression management (stepped care model), psychosis, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, substance misuse, personality disorders, risk assessment, and the Mental Health Act. Expanded in the MLA content map and frequently underestimated by candidates.
Ethics, Professionalism, and Law (Approximately 8-10%)
GMC Good Medical Practice, consent (adults and children), capacity (Mental Capacity Act — the five principles and two-stage test), confidentiality (when to breach), Gillick competence and Fraser guidelines, safeguarding (children and adults), DNAR and advance decisions, organ donation, fitness to drive (DVLA), and whistleblowing.
This domain is where candidates most frequently lose marks they did not expect to lose. The content is not clinically complex, but it requires understanding of legal and ethical principles rather than medical knowledge. Dedicate a full week to it.
Pharmacology and Therapeutics (Approximately 5-8%)
Drug interactions, monitoring requirements, prescribing in renal and hepatic impairment, drugs in pregnancy and breastfeeding, and adverse drug reactions. This overlaps with clinical medicine but is also tested as standalone prescribing safety questions.
Public Health, Epidemiology, and Evidence-Based Medicine (Approximately 3-5%)
Screening criteria, study design, number needed to treat, sensitivity and specificity, and health promotion. Lower volume but straightforward marks for candidates who prepare specifically.
Revision Priority Guide
Highest priority (40+ hours each): Cardiovascular medicine, respiratory medicine, endocrine, women's health, ethics/professionalism.
High priority (25-40 hours each): GI, renal, neurology, psychiatry, paediatrics, pharmacology.
Standard priority (15-25 hours each): Surgery, haematology, musculoskeletal, dermatology/ENT/ophthalmology, public health.
Use iatroX Q-Bank across all domains — the adaptive algorithm allocates your practice time to weak areas automatically, ensuring you do not over-study topics you already know while neglecting those you do not.