Dr Kola Tytler (MBBS CertHE MBA MRCGP)|21 April 2026|5 min read
This is the most confusing topic in UK medical exam preparation for international medical graduates. The short answer: PLAB 1 and the UKMLA AKT now test the same clinical knowledge. The longer answer involves branding, eligibility, transition timelines, and resource implications.
The Alignment
Since August 2024, all PLAB 1 exams have been compliant with the GMC's MLA Content Map — the same blueprint that underpins the UKMLA AKT. This means that whether your booking confirmation says "PLAB 1" or "UKMLA AKT," the questions you face are drawn from the same content specification and test the same clinical knowledge.
The GMC implemented this alignment as part of a phased transition. The intention is for the PLAB brand to eventually be replaced entirely by the UKMLA brand, creating a single national licensing assessment for all doctors entering UK practice — regardless of where they qualified.
What Is Actually Different
Despite the content alignment, several practical differences remain.
Eligibility differs. PLAB is for IMGs only. The UKMLA covers both UK graduates and IMGs. UK medical students sit the UKMLA AKT as part of their final year; IMGs sit it under the PLAB name.
Branding differs. IMGs still book exams under the PLAB name through the GMC. UK graduates sit the UKMLA through their medical school. The exam experience and content are aligned, but the booking process and branding are separate.
Part 2 differs. PLAB 2 consists of 16 OSCE stations. The UKMLA's clinical component is the CPSA (Clinical and Professional Skills Assessment), which is being phased in. The format and station structure may differ, though both test clinical and communication skills.
The September 2026 MLA Content Map update will bring changes. Both PLAB and UKMLA will reflect these changes. Candidates sitting after September 2026 should ensure their resources are updated.
What Hasn't Changed
The clinical knowledge required to pass is the same. UK-specific guidelines (NICE, CKS, BNF) remain the foundation. The exam is SBA-based. International test centres remain available for Part 1. The difficulty level is comparable.
What This Means for Study Resources
PLAB-branded resources and UKMLA-branded resources are interchangeable for Part 1 preparation. The clinical content is aligned.
PLABable, MedRevisions, and Pastest's PLAB modules are all applicable. PassMedicine, Quesmed, and Geeky Medics — branded as UKMLA resources — are equally applicable.
iatroX covers both PLAB and UKMLA for free within the same platform. Since the content is aligned, one Q-bank serves both exams. The AI-adaptive algorithm does not distinguish between them — it targets your clinical weak areas regardless of which exam name you are preparing under.
For a more detailed side-by-side comparison, see the PLAB vs UKMLA compare page.
Practical Advice for IMGs
Do not get caught up in the branding distinction. Focus on these priorities instead.
Use UK-specific resources. The UKMLA/PLAB tests UK guideline knowledge. A Q-bank aligned to NICE, CKS, and BNF is more relevant than one aligned to Harrison's or UpToDate's US-centric recommendations.
Ensure your resources are updated. Older PLAB resources (pre-August 2024) may not fully align with the MLA Content Map. Check that your Q-bank has been updated for the post-alignment format.
Prepare for UK clinical context. Many questions are set in UK primary care or NHS hospital settings. Understanding the UK healthcare system, referral pathways, and prescribing conventions is as important as clinical knowledge.
Use iatroX's clinical AI for UK guideline lookup. When you encounter a question where the management differs from what you learned in your home country, query the AI for the UK-specific guideline recommendation. This builds the UK-specific knowledge layer that the exam tests.
Information based on GMC publications as of 21 April 2026. Trademarks belong to their owners.