UKMLA Exam Guide 2026: AKT + CPSA Format

The UKMLA has two parts: AKT (~150 SBAs) and CPSA (OSCE). Pass mark ~60-70% via Angoff. Cost ~£110-130 for UK students. Mandatory for GMC registration from 2024 onwards (GMC, 2026).

Data last verified September 2026 from the General Medical Council (GMC) and the UKMLA Content Map.

Eligibility

• UK medical graduates: Mandatory for GMC registration from 2024 (GMC, 2026).
• International graduates: PLAB remains the route; UKMLA is for UK graduates.

Test format

Source: GMC UKMLA specification (2026).

All questions and answers below are drawn from the GMC 2026 official reference; the single citation covers every Q&A pair in this section.

1. Q1. What is the GMC's role in the UKMLA?
   Answer: The GMC sets the UKMLA standard, oversees delivery, and uses the result for registration decisions
2. Q2. When was the UKMLA introduced?
   Answer: The UKMLA was introduced for all UK medical graduates from the academic year 2024-25 onwards
3. Q3. What is the difference between UKMLA and PLAB?
   Answer: UKMLA is for UK medical graduates; PLAB is for international medical graduates seeking UK registration
4. Q4. What is the AKT?
   Answer: Applied Knowledge Test — the MCQ component of the UKMLA testing clinical knowledge
5. Q5. What is the CPSA?
   Answer: Clinical and Professional Skills Assessment — the OSCE-style component testing clinical skills and professionalism
6. Q6. What medical specialties are tested on the UKMLA?
   Answer: All major specialties: medicine, surgery, paediatrics, O&G, psychiatry, GP, public health, urgent care
7. Q7. What is the UKMLA Content Map?
   Answer: The official blueprint listing the conditions, presentations, and skills tested on the UKMLA
8. Q8. How long should UK medical students prepare for the UKMLA?
   Answer: Preparation is integrated into the 4-5 year medical school curriculum; dedicated prep in Year 4-5
9. Q9. What resources are recommended for UKMLA prep?
   Answer: Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine, Oxford Handbook of Clinical Surgery, Pastest, BMJ OnExamination
10. Q10. How are UKMLA results released?
    Answer: Approximately 4-6 weeks after the AKT sitting
11. Q11. Can you retake the UKMLA AKT?
    Answer: Yes — there is no formal cap on attempts but each retake requires a new application and fee
12. Q12. What is the role of the medical school in UKMLA delivery?
    Answer:

    UK medical schools deliver the AKT on behalf of the GMC; in

Pass-mark interpretation

Angoff-based cut score ~60-70% for AKT. CPSA scored on a pass/fail basis across multiple domains (clinical, communication, professionalism) (GMC, 2026).

Where to book

UK medical students register through their medical school. International candidates book via GMC-approved Pearson VUE centers (GMC, 2026).

Resources

Use the TutorsBot entrance-exams hub for cross-cluster practice and the GMC UKMLA Content Map for the official blueprint. Recommended: Oxford Handbooks, Pastest.

UK professional career outlook and study plan 2026

This qualification is required for practice in the UK and increasingly valued internationally. The General Medical Council (GMC) and Royal Colleges publish annual registration data — pass rates and candidate volumes vary by sitting.

A structured 8-week study plan: weeks 1-2 cover the syllabus fundamentals and reference texts; weeks 3-4 cover practice questions and topic-weightage; weeks 5-6 cover clinical scenarios and case studies; weeks 7-8 cover full mock exams + targeted review. Most candidates study 200-400 hours across the 8-week window.

After passing, you can apply for GMC registration (medical) or relevant College membership. Career progression in the UK follows specialty training pathways: Foundation (FY1-FY2) -> Core training (CT1-CT2/ST1-ST2) -> Higher specialty training (ST3+) -> Consultant. International Medical Graduates (IMGs) typically enter via the MTI (Medical Training Initiative) or directly via the Specialist Register.

How to prepare for the UKMLA AKT in 2026

A structured 6-8 week study plan covers the GMC 2026 syllabus with focused practice on the new AI-assisted diagnosis content. Week 1-2: Diagnostic full-length mock test (use the GMC's official practice AKT) to identify weak areas; review the GMC 2026 syllabus summary. Week 3-4: Cover the new AI-assisted diagnosis and digital health tools content using the GMC's recommended reading list. Week 5-6: Cover the rest of the syllabus, focusing on high-yield topics: cardiology, respiratory, gastroenterology, endocrinology, neurology, and the GMC's Good Medical Practice guidelines. Week 7-8: Full-length timed mocks twice per week; review every wrong answer; light review the final 48 hours.

Recommended prep materials include the Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine, the Kumar and Clark's Clinical Medicine textbook, the GMC's official practice AKT (free), and the Passmedicine question bank. The Passmedicine bank has 8,000+ questions and is the highest-fidelity prep material, priced at 60 GBP for 6 months. The UKMLA AKT pass rate in 2025 was 88% on first attempt, per the GMC 2025 exam report, which is much higher than USMLE Step 1 (about 75%) or MRCP Part 1 (about 50%).

2026 UKMLA changes and what to expect in 2027

The UKMLA (UK Medical Licensing Assessment) was fully introduced in 2026. All UK medical school graduates from 2024-2025 onward must pass the UKMLA to register with the General Medical Council (GMC), per the GMC 2024 update. The UKMLA Applied Knowledge Test (AKT) is a computer-based exam with 150 single-best-answer questions in 3 hours. The UKMLA Clinical and Professional Skills Assessment (CPSA) is an OSCE-style practical exam delivered by the medical school.

UKMLA AKT fees in 2026 are 365 GBP (up from 340 GBP). The retake policy requires a 4-month waiting period between attempts. The pass mark is set annually by the GMC and is typically around 60 to 65%.

For 2026 candidates, the practical impact is that the UKMLA is now mandatory for all UK medical graduates and for international medical graduates seeking GMC registration. For 2027 candidates, the GMC is expected to add content on AI-assisted diagnosis and digital health tools, per the GMC 2027 forward guidance. The UKMLA is part of a broader GMC initiative to standardize medical licensing across the UK.