If practising medicine in the UK has always been on your vision board, the UKMLA exam is now your gateway. Whether you’re a final-year medical student in the UK or an international medical graduate (IMG) dreaming of working in the NHS, the United Kingdom Medical Licensing Assessment (UKMLA, also known as PLAB) is something you can’t ignore anymore. From 2024 onwards, UKMLA became mandatory for anyone who wants to join the GMC medical register. Simply put, no UKMLA, no licence to practise in the UK. Sounds intimidating? Don’t worry. Once you understand the exam structure, eligibility rules, and how to prepare smartly, the UKMLA becomes very achievable. Let’s break it all down.
What Exactly Is the UKMLA?
The UK Medical Licensing Assessment (UKMLA) is a national licensing exam introduced by the General Medical Council (GMC). Its goal is simple but important:
to ensure every doctor entering UK practice meets the same standard, no matter where they studied.
Earlier, international doctors took the PLAB exam. That era is over.
UKMLA has officially replaced PLAB and now applies to:
- UK medical graduates
- International Medical Graduates (IMGs)
Once fully implemented, the UKMLA is the only route to get on the GMC medical register.
Who Needs to Take the UKMLA?
Short answer? Almost everyone who wants to practise medicine in the UK.
You must take the UKMLA if:
- You’re an international medical graduate (IMG) applying for GMC registration
- You’re a UK medical student graduating from 2024 onwards
- You want a licence to practise medicine in the UK
You don’t need UKMLA if:
- You’re already fully registered and licensed with the GMC
- You already hold GMC registration with a licence to practise
UKMLA Exam Structure: How the Exam Is Designed
The UKMLA is not just about memorising textbooks. It tests how you think, decide, communicate, and act as a doctor.
The exam has two core components:
1. Applied Knowledge Test (AKT)
Think of the AKT as your clinical decision-making test.
Key highlights:
- Computer-based MCQ exam
- Around 200 Single Best Answer (SBA) questions
- Duration: ~3 hours
- Conducted at approved centres worldwide
- Available in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, London, and more
What does AKT assess?
- Clinical reasoning
- Application of medical knowledge
- UK-specific guidelines (NICE, NHS protocols)
- Ethics, professionalism, and patient safety
This is not a “rote learning” exam. Questions are scenario-based and mirror real hospital or GP situations.
2. Clinical and Professional Skills Assessment (CPSA)
The CPSA is where theory meets reality. It’s a practical exam, similar to an OSCE, designed to see how you perform as a doctor in real-world situations.
Key highlights:
- In-person exam
- OSCE-style clinical stations
- Conducted in Manchester, UK
- Taken only after passing the AKT
What does CPSA assess?
- History taking and physical examination
- Clinical reasoning and diagnosis
- Communication with patients and colleagues
- Ethics, empathy, professionalism
- Managing emergencies and difficult conversations
In short, CPSA answers one big question:
“Can this doctor safely work with patients in the UK healthcare system?”
UKMLA Eligibility Criteria for IMGs
If you’re an international medical graduate, eligibility is one of the first things you should confirm.
You are eligible for UKMLA if you:
- Hold a Primary Medical Qualification (PMQ) from a university listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools and accepted by GMC
- Meet English language requirements
- Have completed the required internship or clinical experience
English Language Requirements
You must prove English proficiency through:
- IELTS Academic
- Overall score: 7.5
- Minimum 7.0 in each section
OR
- OET (Medicine)
- Minimum Grade B in all four components
When Is the UKMLA Exam Conducted?
The UKMLA is offered multiple times a year, especially for the AKT.
AKT (Applied Knowledge Test)
- Conducted globally
- Multiple sittings per year (Feb, June, Nov)
- Results usually declared within 3 weeks
CPSA (Clinical Exam)
- Booked after passing AKT
- Conducted in the UK
- Dates vary depending on availability
Pro tip: Always start planning 6–8 months in advance to avoid last-minute stress.
UKMLA Syllabus: What You Actually Need to Study
The syllabus is officially called the MLA Content Map, published by the GMC. It applies equally to UK graduates and IMGs and is divided into three domains:
1. Readiness for Safe Practice
- Professionalism and ethics
- Patient safety
- Teamwork and communication
- Legal and ethical responsibilities
2. Areas of Clinical Practice
- General medicine and surgery
- Mental health
- Women’s health
- Child health
- Care of older adults
- Acute and chronic conditions
- Public health and prevention
3. Clinical and Professional Capabilities
- History taking and examination
- Making diagnoses
- Prescribing safely
- Managing emergencies
- Evidence-based decision-making
If you align your preparation with these domains, you’re already halfway there.
UKMLA Preparation Tips That Actually Work
Preparing for the UKMLA isn’t about reading everything under the sun or memorising bulky textbooks. It’s about studying smart, understanding the UK system, and training yourself to think like a doctor working in the NHS. Below are preparation tips that actually work because they’re based on how the UKMLA is designed.
1. Start with the MLA Content Map
If there’s one document you absolutely must know inside out, it’s the GMC MLA Content Map.
This content map is not just a syllabus—it’s the blueprint of the entire UKMLA exam. Every AKT question and every CPSA station is built around it. Instead of guessing what to study, the content map clearly tells you:
- What knowledge is expected from a UK doctor
- What clinical skills must you demonstrate
- What professional behaviours does the GMC value
What you should do:
- Download the latest version from the GMC website
- Read it once fully without studying, just to understand the structure
- Revisit it while planning your study schedule
- Use it as a checklist during revision
If something is in the content map, it’s exam-relevant.
If it’s not there, it’s probably not a priority.
2. Follow UK Guidelines Religiously
The UKMLA does not test “global medicine.”
It tests how medicine is practised in the UK.
That means your preparation must be rooted in UK clinical guidelines, not what you learned during MBBS or internship in your home country.
The most important resources are:
- NICE guidelines – for diagnosis and management
- NHS protocols – for real-world patient care
- BNF (British National Formulary) – for prescribing, doses, contraindications
3. Practice MCQs
The AKT is not about recalling facts. It’s about applying knowledge under exam pressure and MCQs are the best way to train your brain for that.
Aim for 2,000 to 3,000 UKMLA-style MCQs before your exam. But here’s the key:
Quality review matters more than speed.
How to practice MCQs effectively:
- Attempt questions in timed blocks
- Treat each question like a real patient scenario
- Read the explanation carefully, even when you get it right
- Note down guidelines you didn’t know
The goal isn’t just to score, it’s to learn how the GMC thinks.
Over time, you’ll start recognising patterns:
- What the exam expects you to prioritise
- How ethical dilemmas are framed
- How patient safety influences decisions
That’s when you know your preparation is working.
4. Don’t Ignore CPSA Preparation
One of the biggest mistakes candidates make is over-focusing on AKT and underestimating CPSA.
The CPSA tests things you can’t cram at the last minute:
- Communication skills
- Professional behaviour
- Clinical reasoning in real-time
You might know the diagnosis, but can you:
- Explain it clearly to a patient?
- Take consent properly?
- Break bad news with empathy?
How to prepare for CPSA:
- Practice OSCE-style stations regularly
- Rehearse history taking and examinations out loud
- Focus on communication, not just answers
- Practice ethics and consent scenarios
Study groups are extremely helpful here. Practising with peers exposes you to different approaches and helps you gain confidence.
5. Track Your Weak Areas
Studying without self-evaluation is like driving without a GPS. Instead of blindly revising everything, identify your weak areas early and fix them gradually.
How to track your progress:
- Maintain a simple error notebook
- Note recurring weak topics (e.g., ethics, prescribing, psychiatry)
- Review mistakes weekly
- Adjust your study plan accordingly
This approach reduces anxiety close to the exam because you already know where you stand. Remember, most candidates don’t fail because they didn’t study enough. They fail because they didn’t study strategically.
Final Thoughts
Preparing for the UKMLA isn’t about studying harder; it’s about studying right. The exam rewards candidates who understand UK clinical practice, follow GMC and NICE guidelines, and can confidently apply knowledge in real-life scenarios. That’s exactly where structured guidance makes a difference.
Our Preparation Course is designed to mirror the real exam, covering the GMC Content Map in depth, training you with UKMLA-style MCQs, and building strong CPSA and OSCE skills through practical, exam-focused learning. Instead of juggling multiple resources and guessing what’s important, you get a clear roadmap, expert support, and focused preparation tailored for both UK graduates and international medical graduates.
If your goal is to practise medicine in the UK with confidence, the right preparation can turn uncertainty into clarity and effort into results.
Your UKMLA journey doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right strategy and the right support, it can be the start of your NHS career.