The Ultimate 3-Month Study Plan for the UKMLA & PLAB 1 Exam (2025/2026 Edition)

Written By Medrevisions Contact

Category: Exam Preparation / Study Tips. Reading Time: 6 Minutes

Achieving a passing score in the PLAB 1 or the new UKMLA (Medical Licensing Assessment) requires more than just hard work—it requires a strategic, focused game plan.

If you have just three months until your exam date, you cannot afford to waste time on low-yield topics. You need an efficient approach that maximises your retention while ensuring comprehensive coverage of the GMC MLA Content Map.

Based on feedback from thousands of successful candidates who used MedRevisions to pass on their first attempt, we have designed this Streamlined 3-Month Study Plan. Looking for a longer-term strategy? Check out our 6-Month Study Plan.

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The Philosophy: "Study Smart, Not Just Hard"

This plan is built on three core principles:

  1. High-Yield First: Focus on the topics that appear most frequently.

  2. Active Recall: Use questions to learn, not just to test yourself.

  3. Spaced Repetition: Revisit weak areas at specific intervals to beat the "forgetting curve."

Step 1: Establish Your Starting Point (Month 1)

Your first month is about building a solid foundation. You need to cover the core material efficiently.

We highly recommend using our Study Essential Mode. This feature filters our 5,000+ question bank down to the 1,800 most essential questions. Each question in this mode comes with an expanded explanation that covers the entire topic, so you learn the high-yield concepts for a disease (like Asthma or Heart Failure) from just one single question.

Choose Your Strategy:

Option A: The "Question-First" Approach (Recommended)

Best for active learners who learn by doing.

  • Daily Goal: Tackle 75 high-yield questions per day.

  • Method: Don't just click an answer. Read the detailed explanation for every option. Understand why the correct answer is right according to NICE guidelines, and why the distractors are wrong.

  • Supplement: If you get a question wrong, read the relevant study note attached to that question immediately.

Option B: The "Notes-First" Approach

Best for those who prefer reading before testing.

  • Daily Goal: Read the highlighted sections of our study notes for a specific topic (e.g., Cardiology: ECG note, focus on the highlighted sections with red or yellow).

  • Method: After reading, immediately practice 50-75 questions on that specific topic to cement your knowledge.

Start Your Month 1 with Study Essential Mode

Why PLAB 1 & UKMLA Candidates choose us?

We are not just a question bank; we are a complete revision ecosystem designed by doctors who understand the exam with over a decade of experience with exams conducted by the GMC. Since 2019, thousands of doctors have passed the exam with our services.

Step 2: Expansion & Testing (Month 2)

Now that you have covered the essentials, it is time to broaden your knowledge and start simulating exam conditions.

1. Complete the Non-Essential Questions

Switch off "Study Essential Mode" and tackle the remaining questions in the bank. These "non-essential" questions often test finer details or less common presentations. Completing them ensures you have no blind spots and also covered past exam questions.

2. Introduce Daily Mini-Mocks

You need to build stamina. The real exam is a mental marathon.

  • Action: Use our customizable mock feature to create daily 75-question tests.

  • Time Limit: Set a strict timer of 75 minutes. This trains you to answer questions in under 60 seconds, which is crucial for the real exam.

Step 3: Mastery & Simulation (Month 3)

The final month is about refining your technique and fixing your weak areas.

1. Full-Length Mock Exams

You should aim to complete at least 2-3 full mock exams per week.

  • The Task: 180 questions in 3 hours. No breaks.

  • The Goal: Initially, focus on finishing on time. By the last two weeks, aim for a consistent score of 70%+.

  • Review: Spend as much time reviewing the mock as you did taking it. Analyse every mistake. Was it a knowledge gap? Or a silly reading error?

2. The "Smart Revision" Tool

Stop wasting time on what you already know.

  • Our Smart Revision Tool automatically tracks the questions you answered incorrectly.

  • Daily Task: Spend 30 minutes every day clearing your "Incorrect Questions" pile. This ensures you never make the same mistake twice.

Advanced Time Management Tips for IMGs

Most candidates are working full-time while studying. Here is how to fit this plan into a busy schedule:

  • The "Commute" Session: Use the MedRevisions mobile-friendly interface to do 10-15 questions during your commute.

  • The "Lunch Break" Sprint: Do a quick 20-question block during your break.

  • The "Weekend" Marathon: Save your full-length mock exams for your days off when you can focus for 3 uninterrupted hours.

Your Path to Success

By following this 3-month plan, you will:

  • Complete over 5,000 exam-style questions.

  • Master the GMC MLA Content Map.

  • Build the mental stamina required to pass the exam comfortably.

Ready to start your 3-month journey? Join thousands of doctors who passed on their first attempt.

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Why PLAB 1 & UKMLA Candidates Choose MedRevisions

We are not just a question bank; we are a complete revision ecosystem designed by doctors who understand the exam.

With over a decade of combined experience in GMC assessments and a track record of helping thousands of doctors pass since 2019, we provide the most reliable path to registration.

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How to Prepare for PLAB 1 or UKMLA Exam: A Comprehensive Guide