Dr Kola Tytler (MBBS CertHE MBA MRCGP)|21 April 2026|8 min read
The UK medical exam landscape is complex. Between licensing assessments, recruitment exams, Royal College memberships, specialist diplomas, and professional registration, a doctor moving from medical school to consultant may sit a dozen or more exams over a decade. Knowing which resources serve which exam — and where the overlaps lie — saves time and money.
This guide maps every significant UK medical exam to the best resources available in 2026, including free options.
Licensing: UKMLA and PLAB
The UKMLA (UK Medical Licensing Assessment) is the national licensing standard. UK medical students sit the AKT and CPSA as part of their final year. IMGs sit under the PLAB name, but the content has been aligned to the MLA Content Map since August 2024.
Resources: PassMedicine (11,000+ questions, market leader), Quesmed (all-in-one with OSCE marks schemes), iatroX (free, AI-adaptive, 430-condition UKMLA Academy), BMJ OnExamination (check Trust access), MedRevisions (5,400+ questions, strong for IMGs), Geeky Medics (OSCE guides).
Guides: How to revise for the UKMLA | Best UKMLA Q-banks | UKMLA vs PLAB
Recruitment: MSRA
The MSRA determines specialty training allocation for 15+ specialties. For GP and Core Psychiatry, it is the sole selection factor.
Resources: PassMedicine (volume leader), Emedica (most exam-representative, best SJT), Revise MSRA (dedicated platform, 3,000+), Pass the MSRA (course format, comprehensive SJT), Medibuddy (4,000+, adaptive), iatroX (free, adaptive).
Guides: How to revise for the MSRA | Best MSRA Q-banks | MSRA SJT strategy | MSRA scores explained
General Practice: MRCGP AKT
The AKT is required for MRCGP and CCT. 160 questions in 160 minutes. 80/10/10 split (clinical/statistics/admin).
Resources: PassMedicine (4,500+ AKT questions), Pastest, Quesmed, iatroX (free, adaptive, clinical AI for admin facts), Zero to GP podcast.
Guides: How to revise for the AKT | Best AKT Q-banks | AKT statistics guide | MSRA vs AKT overlap
Medical Specialties: MRCP
MRCP Part 1, Part 2, and PACES. Required for medical specialty training (ST3+).
Resources: PassMedicine (5,100+ MRCP Part 1), Pastest, Quesmed, BMJ OnExamination, iMedics, iatroX (free, adaptive).
Guides: How to revise for MRCP Part 1 | Free MRCP Q-banks
Surgery: MRCS
MRCS Part A and Part B. Required before higher surgical training.
Resources: eMRCS (£35/4 months — best value), Pastest, Medibuddy, Pass the MRCS, TeachMeAnatomy.
Guide: Best MRCS Q-banks
Emergency Medicine: MRCEM
MRCEM Primary and Intermediate. Required for EM training.
Resources: FRCEMtutor (specialist, PassMedicine family), BMJ OnExamination, iatroX (free MRCEM bank), LITFL.
Guide: How to revise for MRCEM
Psychiatry: MRCPsych
Papers A, B, and CASC. Required for psychiatry specialty training.
Resources: MRCPsychMentor (AI CASC simulator), PassMRCPsych (5,000+ MCQs), BMJ OnExamination, iMedics.
Guide: Best MRCPsych Q-banks
Obstetrics & Gynaecology: MRCOG
MRCOG Part 1, 2, and 3. Required for O&G specialty training.
Resources: MasterMRCOG (9,000+ questions), PassMRCOG, Pastest, BMJ OnExamination.
Guide: Best MRCOG Q-banks
Paediatrics: MRCPCH
FOP, TAS, and AKP. Required for paediatric specialty training. Also covers DCH.
Resources: PassPaeds (4,400+ questions), Pastest, BMJ OnExamination.
Intensive Care: FFICM
MCQ, OSCE, and SOE. Exit exam for consultant ICM.
Resources: iatroX (727 questions, only adaptive FFICM bank, £99/year), Intensive Anaesthesia, Crit-IQ, BMJ OnExamination.
Guide: FFICM revision guide
Anaesthetics: FRCA
Primary FRCA (basic sciences) and Final FRCA (clinical anaesthetics).
Resources: TeachMeAnaesthetics (1,100+ Primary FRCA SBAs), Intensive Anaesthesia (Final FRCA announced), BMJ OnExamination.
Specialist Diplomas
DRCOG, DFSRH, DGM, DipIMC, FFICM, DTM&H. For GPs with extended roles and specialist interests.
Resources: iatroX (all six banks, £99/year, AI-adaptive), plus standalone alternatives for each.
Guide: Specialist diploma bundle guide
Pharmacy: GPhC Registration Assessment
Part 1 (SBA/EMQ) and Part 2 (calculations). Required for pharmacist registration.
Resources: iatroX (1,000 questions across SBA, EMQ, calculation), PassMedicine Pharmacy module.
Guide: How to revise for the GPhC
The Cross-Exam Platform
iatroX is the only platform that covers this entire breadth — from UKMLA to FFICM, from MSRA to GPhC — under one account. Core exam banks (MRCP, AKT, MSRA, PLAB, UKMLA, MRCEM, PSA, PANE) are free. Specialist diplomas and GPhC are £99/year. AI-adaptive learning, clinical AI, clinical calculators, and CPD tools are included. UKCA-marked, MHRA-registered.
Information based on public sources as of 21 April 2026. Trademarks belong to their owners.