The MLA content map covers 430+ conditions. You cannot study everything equally. These 20 areas appear with disproportionate frequency based on the content map weighting and candidate reports from recent sittings. Mastering them gives you the strongest foundation for passing.
1. Acute Coronary Syndromes. STEMI vs NSTEMI management, troponin interpretation, GRACE scoring, antiplatelet therapy, PCI timelines. Appears in virtually every sitting.
2. Hypertension. NICE NG136 treatment algorithm, age/ethnicity-based first-line choices, step-wise escalation, target thresholds. One of the most commonly tested clinical management pathways.
3. Type 2 Diabetes. Metformin first-line, SGLT2 inhibitor positioning, HbA1c targets by treatment stage, the 8 NICE care processes, insulin initiation criteria.
4. Heart Failure. The four pillars (ACEi/ARB, beta-blocker, MRA, SGLT2i), HFrEF vs HFpEF distinction, when to refer, fluid management.
5. Asthma and COPD. Step-wise treatment, inhaler technique assessment, exacerbation management, when to use oral corticosteroids, oxygen prescribing in COPD.
6. Community-Acquired Pneumonia. CURB-65 scoring, antibiotic selection by severity, atypical pathogens, when to admit.
7. Stroke and TIA. FAST recognition, thrombolysis criteria, secondary prevention (antiplatelet, statin, antihypertensive), ABCD2 score for TIA risk stratification.
8. Sepsis. NEWS2 scoring, Sepsis Six bundle, antibiotic timing (within 1 hour), lactate monitoring, fluid resuscitation.
9. Pre-eclampsia and Hypertension in Pregnancy. Diagnostic criteria, labetalol first-line, magnesium sulfate for seizure prophylaxis, aspirin prophylaxis from 12 weeks, delivery as definitive treatment.
10. Depression. NICE stepped care model, SSRI first-line, when to refer, risk assessment, treatment in pregnancy and breastfeeding.
11. Consent and Capacity. Mental Capacity Act five principles, two-stage capacity test, Montgomery principle for informed consent, advance decisions.
12. Safeguarding. Recognition of non-accidental injury in children, adult safeguarding referral triggers, duty to report, documentation requirements.
13. Prescribing Safety. Drug interactions, renal/hepatic dose adjustment, drugs in pregnancy, monitoring requirements (lithium, methotrexate, warfarin, DMARDs).
14. Cancer Referral. NICE NG12 red flag symptoms for 2-week-wait referral, safety-netting advice, common presentations by cancer type.
15. Acute Kidney Injury. KDIGO staging, pre-renal vs intrinsic vs post-renal causes, initial management, when to refer, nephrotoxic drug review.
16. Childhood Vaccination Schedule. Updated for MMRV, catch-up schedules, contraindications, parental refusal management.
17. Ectopic Pregnancy. Risk factors, presentation, investigation (hCG + ultrasound), management options (expectant, medical, surgical), when to suspect.
18. Epilepsy. Classification, first-line anticonvulsant by seizure type, driving restrictions (DVLA rules), status epilepticus management, pregnancy considerations.
19. Atrial Fibrillation. CHA2DS2-VASc scoring, DOAC vs warfarin, rate vs rhythm control, when to anticoagulate, cardioversion criteria.
20. Mental Health Act. Section 2, 3, 5(2), 136 — who can apply, duration, patient rights, nearest relative role.
How to Use This List
For each topic, verify your knowledge against the current NICE guideline using Ask iatroX. Test yourself through the iatroX Q-Bank — the adaptive algorithm will identify which of these 20 areas you already know and which need intensive work. Use the Knowledge Centre for structured, condition-by-condition guideline review.
These 20 topics will not cover every question. But they represent the core that every passing candidate knows well. Master them first, then expand outward.