Everything you Need to Know About the UKMLA

What is the UKMLA?

The UK Medical Licensing Assessment (UKMLA) is a medical licensing examination introduced by the General Medical Council (GMC). Medical graduates who wish to train and work in the UK are required to complete this assessment as part of their GMC registration, including doctors graduating from the UK and international medical graduates. The aim of the assessment is to ensure that newly graduated doctors possess the knowledge, skills, and professional behaviours required to provide safe, effective, and patient-centred care.

The Structure of the UKMLA

The UKMLA consists of two parts, namely, the Applied Knowledge Test (AKT), and the Clinical and Professional Skills Assessment (CPSA). Both of these examinations are delivered in medical schools, and are designed to align with the MLA content map, and the GMC requirements. 

The AKT is an on-screen examination, presented using a single best answer (SBA) format. It includes 2 papers, with 100 questions each. 

A typical AKT question will present with the following format: 

• A clinical scenario – a short patient case
• Lead-in question – asking the candidate a question in relation to the clinical scenario
• Five answer options – from which the candidate is required to choose the best single answer

The CPSA, is the second component of the UKMLA, and it is a practical examination that allows candidates examination that allows candidates to demonstrate their ability to interact with patients, perform clinical assessments, and apply clinical reasoning in realistic clinical scenarios. The structure of this assessment is similar to that of an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). 

The MLA Content Map

The content assessed in the UKMLA is based on the MLA Content Map, developed by the General Medical Council (GMC). This MLA Content Map is separated into six domains that include essential components that demonstrate professional competence and medical knowledge that newly qualified medical doctors must embody. 

The domains include: 

1. Areas of clinical practice
2. Areas of professional knowledge
3. Clinical and professional capabilities
4. Practical skills and procedures
5. Patient presentations
6. Conditions

When is the UKMLA taken?

UK medical schools integrate both examinations, the AKT and CPSA, into their university assessments. These examinations are usually completed during the final years of medical school, to ensure that students have adequate knowledge to apply to the clinical scenarios given in the examination. As previously stated, the AKT is done as an on-screen examination, and the CPSA is done practically as an OSCE. 

International medical graduates that would like to practice in the UK must complete the UKLMA as a part of their registration with the GMC. 

How is the UKMLA graded?

The grading of the UKMLA is done on a pass or fail basis. For the AKT, each question has a single best answer, and candidates are rewarded one mark for each correct response. It is important to note that there is no negative marking, and candidates are not penalised for incorrect answers. For the CPSA, candidates attend a number of clinical stations, and are evaluated on their clinical skills and reasoning, as well as their communication and professionalism. 

In the event of failing one or both of the components of the examination, candidates may be given the opportunity to retake the assessment. For UK medical graduates, the timing and the number of resits granted can differ depending on the university policies. For international medical graduates, the GMC may also offer opportunities to retake the examination, depending on their respective exam policies and regulations. 

How to prepare for the UKMLA?

To be able to successfully pass the UKMLA, one must have a strong clinical knowledge and reasoning, and practical clinical skills. For the Applied Knowledge Test (AKT), it is necessary to study core medical topics, and test your knowledge through answering SBA questions. For the Clinical and Professional Skills Assessment (CPSA), candidates must focus on practicing their clinical and communication skills. Revision must be based on the MLA Content Map, as it shapes the basis and the core of the examination.

Through assessing clinical knowledge through AKT, and practical clinical skills through the CPSA, the UKMLA ensures that the doctors entering medical practice in the UK, are competent, and are ready to provide safe, patient-centered care. It is essential to understand the UKMLA structure and the MLA content, in order to prepare for the assessment with clarity and complete the examinations with confidence.