πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§General Medical Council β€” GMC MLA

UKMLA AKT Preparation
2026 Question Bank

Over 1,000 practice SBAs for the UK Medical Licensing Assessment Applied Knowledge Test. Adaptive AI-powered question selection, spaced repetition, and detailed explanations aligned with the GMC MLA Content Map.

Comprehensive UK-focused clinical presentations β€” NICE, BNF, GMC Good Medical Practice

πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ UK Clinical Context·🎯 GMC MLA AlignedΒ·πŸ€– AI-PoweredΒ·πŸ“Š Performance Analytics
1,000+
Practice Questions
200
SBAs on Real Exam
3 hrs
Exam Duration
Pass/Fail
Scoring
πŸ›‘οΈ 30-Day Money-Back GuaranteeΒ·πŸ“± Works on Any DeviceΒ·πŸ”’ No Credit Card RequiredΒ·πŸ†• New Questions Added Daily

What Is the UKMLA AKT?

The UK Medical Licensing Assessment (UKMLA) is a national standardised examination introduced by the General Medical Council (GMC) in 2025. It replaced the old Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) test and is now mandatory for all medical graduates β€” both UK medical students and international medical graduates β€” who wish to obtain GMC registration to practise medicine in the United Kingdom.

The UKMLA consists of two parts: the Applied Knowledge Test (AKT) and the Clinical and Professional Skills Assessment (CPSA). The AKT is a computer-based examination that assesses whether candidates possess the clinical knowledge necessary for safe practice as a newly qualified doctor in the NHS.

The UKMLA AKT covers clinical presentations across all major medical and surgical specialties. Questions are mapped to the GMC's MLA Content Map, which is organised by clinical presentations rather than traditional organ systems. This reflects how patients present in real clinical practice.

For UK medical students, the UKMLA is integrated into the medical school curriculum and must be passed to obtain provisional GMC registration and enter Foundation Year 1 (FY1) training. For international medical graduates, passing both the AKT and CPSA is required for GMC registration, after which they can apply for Foundation Year 2 (FY2) posts or specialty training.

UKMLA AKT Exam Format in 2026

200 SBA questions over 3 hours. Know exactly what to expect.

Exam Structure

  • Total Questions: 200 Single Best Answer (SBA)
  • Duration: 3 hours
  • Delivery: Computer-based testing (CBT) at Pearson VUE centres
  • Question Format: Clinical presentation-based SBAs
  • Scoring: Pass/Fail (no numerical score reported)
  • Availability: Multiple test dates throughout the year
  • Negative Marking: No

Registration & Eligibility

UK Medical Students: The UKMLA is integrated into UK medical school curricula from 2025 onwards. Students register via their medical school and must pass both AKT and CPSA for provisional GMC registration.

International Medical Graduates (IMGs): Must apply through the GMC portal. Requires medical degree verification, English language proficiency (IELTS/OET), and passing both AKT and CPSA.

IMG Registration Steps:

  1. Apply for GMC registration online
  2. Submit degree verification and English test
  3. Book UKMLA AKT at Pearson VUE
  4. Pass AKT, then book CPSA

Source: gmc-uk.org. Verify details before registering.

UKMLA AKT Content Breakdown

Approximate weighting of clinical presentations per GMC MLA Content Map. AiMedQs covers all these areas.

~8%
Cardiovascular

Ischaemic heart disease, heart failure, arrhythmias, valvular disease, hypertension per NICE guidelines

~8%
Respiratory

Asthma, COPD, pneumonia, TB, pleural disease, lung cancer, pulmonary embolism per BTS/NICE

~8%
Gastroenterology & Hepatology

GORD, PUD, IBD, liver disease, GI bleeding, colorectal cancer screening per NICE

~10%
Neurology & Psychiatry

Stroke, epilepsy, headache, MS, mental health disorders, dementia per NICE/GMC Good Medical Practice

~6%
Musculoskeletal & Rheumatology

Arthritis, fractures, soft tissue injuries, osteoporosis, inflammatory arthropathies

~5%
Renal & Urology

Acute kidney injury, CKD, UTI, prostate disease, renal replacement therapy per NICE

~6%
Endocrine & Metabolic

Diabetes, thyroid disorders, adrenal disease, metabolic syndrome per NICE guidelines

~8%
Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Antenatal care, high-risk pregnancy, labour management, gynaecological conditions per RCOG

~8%
Paediatrics

Child development, paediatric emergencies, safeguarding, immunisations per RCPCH/NICE

~6%
Dermatology & ENT & Ophthalmology

Skin conditions, ear/nose/throat disorders, eye emergencies, visual impairment

~5%
Infectious Disease & Immunology

HIV, sepsis, tropical diseases, immunodeficiency, notifiable diseases

~5%
Haematology & Oncology

Anaemia, coagulopathies, haematological malignancies, cancer management

~8%
Ethics, Law & Professionalism

GMC Good Medical Practice, consent, confidentiality, Mental Capacity Act, safeguarding, Gillick competence

~5%
Public Health & Epidemiology

Screening programmes, health promotion, epidemiology, disease prevention per PHE/NICE

~4%
Pharmacology & Therapeutics

Prescribing per BNF, adverse drug reactions, drug interactions, therapeutic monitoring

UKMLA AKT Eligibility Requirements

πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ UK Medical Students

  • β€’ Enrolled in a GMC-recognised UK medical school
  • β€’ UKMLA integrated into curriculum from 2025
  • β€’ Must pass AKT and CPSA for provisional registration
  • β€’ Register via medical school

🌍 International Medical Graduates (IMGs)

  • β€’ Medical degree verified by GMC
  • β€’ English language proficiency (IELTS 7.5 overall, 7.0 each section; or OET Grade B)
  • β€’ Apply through GMC online portal
  • β€’ Pass both AKT and CPSA for full registration

For the most current eligibility criteria, visit gmc-uk.org.

How AiMedQs Helps You
Pass the UKMLA AKT

An intelligent study platform built for the UK Medical Licensing Assessment.

🎯

GMC MLA-Aligned Content

Questions mapped to the GMC Medical Licensing Assessment content map. Covers all tested clinical presentations with appropriate weighting.

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UK Clinical Context

Clinical scenarios reflect NHS practice β€” British English, UK units (mmol/L), BNF drug names (paracetamol, adrenaline), UK medicolegal framework.

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Adaptive AI Question Selection

Our AI engine identifies your weakest subjects and prioritizes questions in those areas. Study smarter, not just harder.

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NICE/BNF Guidelines Focused

Questions aligned with NICE, BNF, GMC Good Medical Practice, SIGN, RCOG, RCPCH, and other UK-specific clinical practice guidelines.

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Spaced Repetition

Missed questions return at scientifically optimized intervals. This evidence-based technique ensures long-term retention of high-yield concepts.

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Performance Analytics

Track accuracy by subject, identify trends, and see exactly where you need more practice before exam day.

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New Questions Added Daily

Our question bank is continuously growing. Fresh, high-quality SBAs are added regularly to keep your practice current and comprehensive.

Why UK-Specific Preparation Matters

The UKMLA AKT is not a generic medical knowledge test. It assesses clinical knowledge specifically in the context of NHS practice and UK healthcare. Generic international question banks miss these critical differences:

UK Clinical Guidelines

NICE, BNF, SIGN, RCOG, RCPCH, GMC Good Medical Practice β€” not AHA/ACC, USPSTF, or international WHO guidelines.

UK Medicolegal Framework

Mental Capacity Act, Mental Health Act, Gillick competence, Fraser guidelines, Children Act, safeguarding procedures specific to UK law.

British English & UK Units

Paracetamol (not acetaminophen), adrenaline (not epinephrine), UK units (mmol/L for glucose, not mg/dL), British spelling (colour, haemoglobin).

NHS Context

NHS structure, GP referral pathways, NICE Technology Appraisals, NHS screening programmes, notifiable diseases to PHE/UKHSA.

AiMedQs questions are specifically crafted to reflect UK clinical guidelines, British English medical terminology, UK units of measurement, and NHS healthcare context β€” ensuring your preparation matches what you'll actually encounter on exam day.

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UKMLA AKT Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UKMLA?

The UK Medical Licensing Assessment (UKMLA) is a national standardised examination introduced by the General Medical Council (GMC) in 2025. It replaced the old PLAB system and is now mandatory for all UK medical students and international medical graduates seeking GMC registration. The UKMLA consists of two parts: the Applied Knowledge Test (AKT) and the Clinical and Professional Skills Assessment (CPSA).

How did the UKMLA replace PLAB?

The UKMLA replaced the Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) test starting in 2025. While PLAB was only for international medical graduates, the UKMLA is required for both UK medical students and IMGs. The UKMLA AKT is similar in format to PLAB Part 1 (both are SBA-format written exams), but the content is aligned with UK medical school curricula and the GMC's MLA Content Map.

What is the format of the UKMLA AKT?

The UKMLA Applied Knowledge Test (AKT) consists of 200 Single Best Answer (SBA) questions delivered over 3 hours via computer-based testing at Pearson VUE centres. Questions are clinical presentation-based (not organised by organ system). The exam is pass/fail with no numerical score reported to candidates.

Who needs to take the UKMLA?

All UK medical students graduating from 2025 onwards must pass the UKMLA (both AKT and CPSA) to obtain GMC provisional registration. International medical graduates (IMGs) applying for GMC registration must also pass both components. The UKMLA is now the single licensing assessment for all doctors entering the UK medical register.

How is the UKMLA AKT different from USMLE or MCCQE1?

While all three assess clinical knowledge, the UKMLA AKT uses UK-specific clinical guidelines (NICE, BNF), British English medical terminology (paracetamol not acetaminophen, adrenaline not epinephrine), UK units (mmol/L for glucose, not mg/dL), and UK medicolegal frameworks (Mental Capacity Act, Mental Health Act, Gillick competence). The exam is also shorter (200 questions, 3 hours) compared to USMLE Step 2 CK (318 questions, 9 hours) or MCCQE1 (210 questions, 4 hours).

What is the UKMLA pathway for IMGs?

International medical graduates must: (1) have their medical degree verified by the GMC, (2) demonstrate English language proficiency (IELTS or OET), (3) pass the UKMLA AKT, (4) pass the UKMLA CPSA, and (5) apply for GMC registration. Once registered, IMGs can apply for Foundation Year 2 (FY2) posts or specialty training in the NHS.

How does AiMedQs help with UKMLA AKT preparation?

AiMedQs provides over 1,000 UKMLA AKT practice questions aligned with the GMC MLA Content Map. Our platform uses adaptive AI-powered question selection to focus on your weak areas, spaced repetition for long-term retention, and detailed performance analytics. Questions reflect UK clinical guidelines (NICE, BNF, SIGN), British English, UK units, and UK medicolegal context.

What is the pass rate for the UKMLA AKT?

The GMC has not published detailed pass rate statistics yet, as the UKMLA is newly introduced in 2025. However, the exam is criterion-referenced (not norm-referenced), meaning the pass standard is set at a defined level of competence rather than relative to other candidates. Thorough preparation using UK-specific resources is essential.

Can I retake the UKMLA AKT if I fail?

Yes, candidates can retake the UKMLA AKT. The GMC allows multiple attempts, though there may be waiting periods and additional fees. Check the GMC website for the most current retake policies.

How many questions does AiMedQs have for the UKMLA AKT?

AiMedQs currently offers over 1,000 UKMLA AKT-specific practice questions covering all clinical presentations tested on the exam. Our question bank is continuously updated with new content reviewed by UK-trained medical professionals and aligned with current UK clinical practice guidelines (NICE, BNF, GMC).

πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ Your NHS medical career
starts with the UKMLA AKT.

Over 1,000 practice questions with UK clinical context. AI-powered. Start studying today.

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AiMedQs is an exam preparation tool and does not guarantee exam results. Content is for educational purposes only. AiMedQs is not affiliated with or endorsed by the General Medical Council (GMC) or the Medical Licensing Assessment (MLA). For official exam information, visit gmc-uk.org.