The Ultimate Guide to the UKMLA (MLA) & PLAB: Everything You Need to Pass in 2025/2026
If you are an International Medical Graduate (IMG) planning to work in the UK, the path to GMC registration has changed. The Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) exam is transitioning to the Medical Licensing Assessment (UKMLA or MLA).
This guide is your complete roadmap. Whether you are confused about the timeline, worried about the MLA Content Map, or just looking for the best study strategy, we have you covered.
Table of Contents
1. What is the UKMLA?
The UK Medical Licensing Assessment (UKMLA) is a new, standardised exam introduced by the General Medical Council (GMC).
The Goal: To create a single threshold for safe medical practice in the UK. Previously, international graduates took the PLAB, while UK graduates took their medical school finals. Now, everyone—regardless of where they graduated—will eventually meet the same standard via the MLA framework. Even though the current PLAB exam is still called PLAB, it is now based on the new MLA content map (previously it was based on the PLAB blueprint)
The Two Parts of the UKMLA
Just like the PLAB, the MLA is a two-part assessment:
The AKT (Applied Knowledge Test): A computer-based multiple-choice exam testing medical knowledge. (Equivalent to PLAB 1).
The CPSA (Clinical and Professional Skills Assessment): A practical clinical exam. (Equivalent to PLAB 2).
2. PLAB vs. UKMLA: What Has Changed?
This is the most common question we receive. Don't panic. The changes are structural, not fundamental.
| Feature | Old PLAB 1 | New UKMLA (AKT) |
|---|---|---|
| Format | 180 Single Best Answer (SBA) questions | 180 Single Best Answer (SBA) questions |
| Time | 3 Hours | 3 Hours |
| Syllabus | PLAB Blueprint | MLA Content Map |
| Difficulty | Foundation Year 2 (FY2) level | Foundation Year 2 (FY2) level |
| Scoring | ~60-65% to pass (variable) | ~60-65% to pass (variable) |
Key Takeaway: If you are preparing for "PLAB 1" using high-quality, updated materials, you are effectively preparing for the UKMLA. The core medicine (cardiology, respiratory, ethics, etc.) remains the same. The main difference is that the MLA Content Map is more detailed and specific about what can be tested.
3. The Timeline: Does This Affect Me?
The GMC has implemented a phased rollout.
From August 2024 Onwards: All PLAB 1 exams are now compliant with the MLA Content Map. Even if your booking confirmation says "PLAB 1," the questions you face will be based on the MLA syllabus.
2025 & Beyond: The transition will continue until the term "PLAB" is eventually phased out entirely for the term "UKMLA."
What you need to do: Ensure your question bank is updated for the August 2024+ changes. Older books and outdated question banks will miss specific topics now emphasised in the MLA Content Map.
Note: MedRevisions was one of the first platforms to fully align our question bank with the MLA Content Map. Check our updates here.
4. The UKMLA Exam Structure
Part 1: The AKT (Applied Knowledge Test)
This is what most people refer to when they say "UKMLA."
Format: 180 multiple-choice questions.
Style: Single Best Answer (SBA). You will see a clinical scenario, a question (e.g., "What is the most appropriate investigation?"), and five options (A-E).
Logic: You must choose the best answer. Often, 2 or 3 options might be partially correct, but one is the definitive step according to NICE Guidelines.
Part 2: The CPSA (Clinical and Professional Skills Assessment)
For international graduates, this is currently fulfilled by the PLAB 2 exam. It involves an 18-station OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) held at the GMC's assessment centre in Manchester.
Check out some November 2025 exam questions here:
PLAB 1 & UKMLA Clinical Scenario: Mastering Hypertension Management (November 2025 Recall)
PLAB 1 & UKMLA Clinical Scenario: Hair Loss in Gender-Affirming Therapy (November 2025 Exam Recall)
5. Decoding the MLA Content Map
The MLA Content Map is the "bible" for the exam. It lists every topic, condition, and professional skill you are expected to know. It is divided into three overarching themes:
1. Areas of Clinical Practice (AoCP)
These are the medical specialties. The exam covers:
Acute and Emergency Medicine (High Yield!)
Cardiovascular Health
Respiratory Health
Child Health (Paediatrics)
Mental Health (Psychiatry)
Sexual and Reproductive Health (O&G)
Surgery & Orthopaedics
...and more.
2. Clinical Presentations
Instead of just listing diseases, the MLA focuses on presentations.
Example: Instead of just "Meningitis," the syllabus lists "Headache," "Fever," and "Neck Stiffness." You must know how to differentiate the causes.
3. Professional Capabilities
This covers GMC Good Medical Practice.
Consent and Capacity (Mental Capacity Act)
Confidentiality
Safeguarding (Children and Vulnerable Adults)
Duty of Candour (Being open about mistakes)
Expert Tip: Do not ignore the "Professional Capabilities" section. Ethics and Law make up a significant portion of the exam and are often the easiest marks to lose if you rely on "common sense" rather than GMC guidance.
6. How to Study for the UKMLA AKT
Preparing for the UKMLA is a marathon, not a sprint. Here is the strategy we recommend to the thousands of doctors who use MedRevisions:
Phase 1: The Foundation (Months 1-2)
Focus on learning, not just testing.
Go through the question bank topic by topic.
Read the detailed explanations for every question, even the ones you get right. Understand why the distractors are wrong.
Use our Study Essential Mode: This filters the bank to the 1,800+ most high-yield questions, helping you grasp core concepts quickly.
Phase 2: The Reinforcement (Month 3)
Switch to Mixed Mode. The real exam jumps from Psychiatry to Surgery to Ethics. You need to train your brain to switch gears instantly.
Use Spaced Repetition: Our smart dashboard tracks your weak areas. If you struggle with "Renal Medicine," the system will serve you those questions more often until you master them.
Phase 3: The Simulation (Final 4 Weeks)
Do Full-Length Mocks. We provide 30+ full mock exams.
Sit these under timed conditions. Stamina is key. Answering 180 questions in 3 hours is mentally exhausting; you need to train for the fatigue.
Prefer a structured plan?
7. Why MedRevisions is the #1 Choice for UKMLA and PLAB
We didn't just update an old PLAB bank; we built a platform specifically for the modern exam format.
🔹 Realistic Exam Experience
MedRevisions’ questions mirror the style, length, and complexity of the recent 2024/2025 exams. We focus on the "clinical vignette" style used by the GMC.
🔹 Continuously Updated (NICE & MLA Aligned)
Medicine changes. Guidelines update.
Did you know the hypertension guidelines changed recently?
Are you aware of the new asthma management protocols? Our team updates our questions and notes constantly to reflect the latest NICE guidelines, so you never learn outdated medicine.
🔹 Comprehensive Ecosystem
5000+ Questions: Covering every inch of the MLA Content Map.
Integrated Notes: No need for external textbooks. Our "Read Notes" feature gives you a concise summary of the topic right inside the question.
Smart Analytics: We visualize your progress, showing you exactly which AoCPs (Areas of Clinical Practice) are your strongest and weakest.
8. Free UKMLA / PLAB Questions
Want to see where you stand right now? We have curated a selection of high-yield questions that are representative of the actual exam difficulty.
Test yourself on topics like Acute Asthma, Cervical Screening, ECG Interpretation, and Ethical Consent.
9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is the UKMLA harder than PLAB 1? A: The difficulty level is designed to be the same (FY2 level). However, the questions are becoming more clinical and less about simple fact recall. You need to understand management steps, not just diagnosis.
Q: Do I need to read the Oxford Handbook? A: While a good reference, it is often too dense for revision. MedRevisions notes are condensed specifically for the exam, focusing only on what you need to score points.
Q: How long should I study for the UKMLA? A: Most candidates require 3 to 5 months of consistent study alongside their work.
Q: Can I use MedRevisions on my phone? A: Yes! Our platform is fully responsive. You can do questions on your commute, on the wards, or anywhere you have internet.
Ready to Pass on Your First Attempt?
Join the community of thousands of doctors who have successfully secured their GMC registration with MedRevisions. Stop guessing what to study and start following a proven, MLA-aligned roadmap.
Dr Waqar Mehmood
How did he pass the First PLAB exam that was based on the MLA content map in August 2024
How helpful was MedRevisions for the PLAB 1 exam and how did he use MedRevisions to prepare for the PLAB 1 exam?
“Very helpful. Not only did it boost my knowledge for plab but revolutionised my concepts and knowledge as a medical practitioner. It changed the whole plab game for me. Amazing study resource. Used their notes first and then solved the mcq bank. Highlighted the wrong ones and did them again in the end. Bookmark option is also very helpful and saves a lot of time.”