What is the UKMLA? UK Medical Licensing Assessment Guide
Everything you need to know about the UK Medical Licensing Assessment (UKMLA) exam format, AKT structure, MLA content map, pass mark, key dates, and how to prepare with MLA AKT practice questions.
UKMLA AKT At a Glance
200
Questions
2
Days
4 Hours Total
2 Hours Per Day
SBA Format
5 Options Per Question
Computer-based
Administered by
UK Med Schools
What is the UKMLA?
The UK Medical Licensing Assessment (UKMLA) is a national exam introduced by the General Medical Council (GMC) that all UK medical students must pass to obtain a licence to practise medicine in the United Kingdom. From the academic year 2024–2025, passing the UKMLA became a mandatory requirement for joining the UK medical register.
The UKMLA ensures a consistent standard of clinical knowledge and professional competence across all UK medical graduates, regardless of which medical school they attended. It is based on the MLA content map, which outlines the core knowledge and clinical skills expected of newly qualified doctors.
The Two Parts of the UKMLA
Part 1
Applied Knowledge Test (AKT)
Computer-based written exam. 200 Single Best Answer questions across two papers, taken over two consecutive days.
Paper 1: 100 questions - 2 hours
Paper 2: 100 questions - 2 hours
Computer-based SBA format
Exam dates vary between medical schools
Part 2
Clinical and Professional Skills Assessment (CPSA)
Practical clinical skills assessment in a structured setting. Format varies between medical schools and may be called OSCE or OSLER.
Structured clinical examination
GMC-set standards
Delivered by medical schools
Both parts must be passed to complete the UKMLA and join the UK medical register.
UKMLA Syllabus and Content Map
The UKMLA is based on the MLA content map published by the GMC. It covers all clinical conditions, presentations, investigations, and management principles expected of newly qualified doctors. Key topic areas include:
Acute and Emergency
Biomedical Sciences (Includes Anatomy)
Breast Surgery
Cancer (Oncology)
Cardiology
Child Health (Paediatrics)
Clinical Imaging (Radiology)
Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics
Critical Care
+ 27 more
Who Needs to Take the UKMLA?
UK Medical Students
All students graduating from a UK medical school must pass both the AKT and CPSA to join the UK medical register.
International Medical Graduates (IMGs)
IMGs wishing to practise in the UK typically take PLAB rather than the UKMLA. Both the PLAB and MLA examinations are based on the MLA content map; however, our questions are developed differently for each exam. For PLAB preparation, please visit www.plabable.com
UKMLA vs PLAB 1 - Key Differences
UKMLA AKT
PLAB 1
Who takes it
UK medical students
International Medical Graduates
Administered by
UK medical schools (GMC standards)
GMC directly
Format
200 SBAs over 2 days (4 hours total)
180 SBAs in 3 hours
Calculator availability
On-screen basic calculator
No calculator is provided, and its use is not permitted
Despite being separate exams, the UKMLA AKT and PLAB 1 share very similar clinical content. PLABABLE's question bank serves both.
Preparing for the UKMLA AKT?
5,000+ GMC-aligned SBA questions, written by NHS doctors. Free 1-month trial with your university email. Offer ends 31 May 2026
SBA practice questions are the most effective revision method. PLABABLE's question bank has 5,000+ high-yield questions aligned to the GMC MLA content map, with detailed explanations for every answer.
2
Revise by topic
Work through the full UKMLA syllabus topic by topic. Use PLABABLE's question categories, Gems (high-yield notes), and revision guides to cover every area of the MLA content map.
3
Test under exam conditions
Take the PLABABLE Big Mock 200 exam-style questions not in the main question bank to simulate the real AKT and identify any remaining gaps before your sitting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Plabable is designed to go beyond a traditional question bank. While most platforms provide questions and explanations, Plabable adds a strong community learning layer, including in-question discussions and WhatsApp groups, allowing candidates to learn from shared reasoning.
In addition, Plabable offers webinars and courses to support preparation for the UKMLA AKT, providing guidance beyond self-directed study. Our focus is on helping candidates pass the AKT, not simply on answering questions for the sake of knowledge.
All questions are written in line with the MLA content map and are regularly reviewed to reflect current exam expectations. We place particular emphasis on high-yield topics, writing more questions in these areas so candidates can focus their time where it is most likely to give them an advantage in the AKT.
Yes. Plabable is used by both UK medical students and international medical graduates, but the content is tailored separately for each group. Although both are based on the MLA content map, the questions are written differently to reflect the needs of each audience. That is why there are two dedicated websites and two separate apps, ensuring each group gets the most relevant preparation.
Many candidates use more than one resource during medical school. However, for the UKMLA AKT, a single well-used question bank is often sufficient.
Plabable for MLA is built specifically with the AKT in mind. Rather than covering general medical knowledge broadly, the focus is on what matters most for the exam, helping candidates revise in a more targeted and efficient way.
There is no single fixed timeline, as it depends on baseline knowledge and consistency. However, most candidates preparing with us complete their revision within around 12 weeks. What matters most is doing questions daily and making sure to revisit flagged ones to strengthen weaker areas.
