The UK Medical Licensing Assessment (UKMLA) is a new exam introduced by the General Medical Council (GMC) to standardise the medical degree across the country.
Whether you are a medical school applicant or currently studying medicine in the UK, having familiarity with the UKMLA will improve your chances of succeeding at medical school.
UKMLA Summary: What You Need To Know About The New Finals
If you’re short on time, this summary will tell you everything you need to know about the UKMLA:
The UKMLA is a new medical licensing exam
Students in their final or penultimate year will sit the UKMLA from 2024/25 onwards.
Every UK medical school will use the UKMLA as their final exam.
The UKMLA contains 2 components; the Applied Knowledge Test (AKT) and the Clinical and Professional Skills Assessment (CPSA)
The PLAB will be updated to reflect the content of the UKMLA for international medical graduates who wish to practise medicine in the UK.
MLA - What is the UKMLA Medical Licensing Assessment?
The UK Medical Licensing Assessment (UKMLA) is a new, mandatory exam introduced by the General Medical Council (GMC) to ensure that all medical students graduating in the UK meet a consistent standard of knowledge and skills.
From 2024, all UK medical students will be required to pass the UKMLA before they can graduate as doctors.
The UKMLA will be required for both UK and international medical graduates who wish to practice in the UK, and it will replace traditional medical school final exams and the Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) exam.
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When Is The UKMLA Exam?
The UKMLA exam date is set by the medical school. The exam period runs from January to July, and students in their final or penultimate year may sit in the UKMLA.
For more details, we recommend contacting your medical school.
UKMLA: Who Needs To Sit The UK Medical Exam?
The UKMLA is required by all medical schools in the UK.
The PLAB examination for international medical graduates hoping to gain registration to work as a doctor in the UK will also become UKMLA compliant in 2024.
Graduates from the EU do not need to take the UKMLA exam.
When Was The UKMLA Introduced By The GMC?
The UKMLA was officially introduced in 2024, and all students graduating in the years 2024-2025 will be required to sit the exam.
For some UK medical schools, the UKMLA could be used as a pilot exam in the years prior to its official introduction. At these medical schools, the students sat the first component of the UKMLA, known as the Applied Knowledge Test (AKT). The UKMLA pilot ended in the academic year of 2023/24.
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Why Was The UKMLA Introduced For Medical Students and International Medical Graduates?
The UKMLA was introduced to ensure that all doctors in the UK are fit to practice and can provide a suitable standard of care to patients.
Previously, each medical school set their own final exams, and students were required to pass these before graduating as a doctor.
International medical graduates wishing to work in the UK were required to sit the Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) exam.
The GMC decided that a more streamlined assessment was required, which would allow all UK medical graduates and international medical graduates to be compared to the same criteria.
Although the exam sat by international medical graduates is still called the PLAB, the exam content was updated in 2024 to be compliant with the UKMLA standards.
What Is The Difference Between The UKMLA, PLAB And Old Finals?
The difference between the UKMLA and traditional medical school finals is the involvement of the GMC.
The final medicine exams will still be set and delivered by the medical school, however, this process will be closely governed by the General Medical Council (GMC) and Medical School’s Council (MSC).
Previously, the content and format of medical school exams in the UK were determined by individual medical schools.
In contrast, the UKMLA provides a standardised assessment across all medical schools. Every UKMLA exam will have a common format, delivery and content.
In 2024, the PLAB examination will be updated to reflect the content of the UKMLA content map. PLAB 1 reflects the AKT exam, and PLAB 2 reflects the CPSA.
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What Is The Format Of The UK Medical Licensing Assessment?
The UKMLA is structured into two main components to assess medical knowledge and clinical skills:
The Applied Knowledge Test (AKT)
The Applied Knowledge Test (AKT) consists of multiple-choice questions that test students' understanding of medical principles, clinical knowledge, and decision-making.
The AKT includes 2 exam papers of 100 questions each, testing topics across the medical curriculum.
The Clinical and Professional Skills Assessment (CPSA)
The Clinical and Professional Skills Assessment (CPSA) is a performance-based assessment, which mirrors the style and format of the OSCE or OSLER exams that medical students may have sat.
The CPSA will assess each student’s practical skills in professional communication and applied clinical knowledge.
What Is The MLA Content Map?
The UKMLA content map sets out the medical knowledge content covered in the UKMLA’s AKT and CPSA exams.
This document contains a framework for the practical skills, procedures, presentations and conditions that medical students must be familiar with in order to succeed in the UKMLA exam, and practice as a safe doctor.
The UKMLA content map reflects the GMC’s Outcomes for Graduates document, which describes the “knowledge, skills and behaviours” expected of new UK medical graduates.
How much will the UKMLA cost?
The UKMLA will be free to sit for all UK medical school applicants.
It is currently unclear whether students will need to pay for additional resit attempts if they do not pass the UKMLA first time. This will be at the discretion of the university’s medical school.
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How To Prepare for the UKMLA
To prepare for the UKMLA, the GMC recommends using the same teaching resources from your university institute, guided by the new UKMLA content map.
Common revision methods which we endorse include active recall through practice questions and flashcards, use of memory devices, reflective practice and teaching.
How to revise for the AKT:
Understand the Content Map: Familiarize yourself with the UKMLA content map, focusing on key areas like basic sciences, clinical knowledge, ethics, and healthcare systems.
Practice MCQs: Regularly complete multiple-choice question (MCQ) banks, simulating the format and style of AKT questions to sharpen your test-taking skills.
Study Key Textbooks: Use recommended medical textbooks and online resources that align with the UKMLA syllabus for comprehensive coverage of topics.
Focus on Weak Areas: Identify and target areas where your knowledge is lacking, reviewing complex topics or conditions that commonly appear in exams.
Use Clinical Guidelines: Stay updated with clinical guidelines (e.g., NICE guidelines) to ensure your answers reflect the most current practices.
Take Mock Exams: Complete timed mock exams to build confidence, manage time effectively, and get used to the pressure of the actual test.
How to revise for the CPSA:
Practice Clinical Skills: Regularly practical essential clinical procedures, such as taking histories, performing examinations, and handling equipment during your clinical placement.
Simulate OSCE Scenarios: Practice mock OSCEs with friends, focusing on common scenarios and getting feedback on your performance.
Use Checklists: Review OSCE checklists to ensure you cover all key steps during examinations or procedures in a structured manner.
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Which Medical Schools Will Sit The UKMLA?
Starting in 2024, the UK Medical Licensing Assessment (UKMLA) will be a requirement for all medical graduates in the UK, regardless of the medical school they attend.
This means that every UK medical school will use the UKMLA in their final medical school assessments.
As such, it will be incorporated into the curricula of all UK medical schools, including but not limited to:
Each medical school will align its teaching and assessment methods with the requirements of the UKMLA to best prepare students.
UKMLA: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UK-MLA, and why was it introduced?
The UK Medical Licensing Assessment (UKMLA) is a new exam introduced by the General Medical Council (GMC) to ensure that all medical graduates in the UK meet a consistent standard of knowledge and skills. The UK-MLA aims to ensure safe medical practice
Who is required to take the UKMLA?
All UK medical students graduating from 2024 onwards, as well as international medical graduates who wish to join the medical register in the UK, will be required to pass the UKMLA.
What are the components of the UKMLA?
The UKMLA consists of two parts: the Applied Knowledge Test (AKT), which assesses clinical knowledge, and the Clinical and Professional Skills Assessment (CPSA), which evaluates practical skills and the student's ability to apply medical knowledge to different scenarios.
Both components ensure that students graduating from UK medical schools meet the threshold for safe medical practice.
When will the UKMLA be held?
The UKMLA exam period runs from January to July, with specific dates set by individual medical schools. UK students typically take it in their final or penultimate year.
How does the UKMLA differ from traditional medical school finals and the PLAB?
Unlike traditional finals, the UKMLA is a standardised national exam. The PLAB for international graduates has also been updated to align with the UKMLA content.
Is the UKMLA free to sit for UK medical students?
Yes, the UKMLA is free for UK medical students, although it is unclear whether additional fees will be required for resits.
Likewise, the cost of the UKMLA will remain the same as the PLAB cost for international students.
What study materials are recommended for the UKMLA?
The GMC recommends using medical school resources and the UKMLA content map. Practice questions, flashcards, clinical guidelines, and mock exams are useful for preparation.
To pass the exam, we recomend using UKMLA AKT question banks and UKMLA CPSA question banks.
Can international medical graduates still take the PLAB, and how does it relate to the UKMLA?
Yes, international medical graduates will continue to take the PLAB, but its content has been updated in line with UKMLA standards since the introduction of the UKMLA in 2024.
The format of the UKMLA and PLAB will remain the same
Which UK medical schools will incorporate the UKMLA?
All UK medical schools will include the UKMLA in their final assessments, therefore all students at UK medical schools will need to sit the UKMLA, and will have UKMLA preparation.
How can I best prepare for the Clinical and Professional Skills Assessment (CPSA)?
In preparation for the UKMLA CPSA, students should practice clinical skills, participate in mock OSCEs, and use checklists to ensure they cover key procedures during assessments.
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