UK Medical Student Finals have evolved significantly with the introduction of the UK Medical Licensing Assessment (UKMLA) from 2024-2025. All UK medical students graduating from academic year 2024-25 onwards must pass the UKMLA as part of their medical degree before joining the GMC medical register and starting work as Foundation Year 1 doctors.
The UKMLA consists of two components: the Applied Knowledge Test (AKT) and the Clinical and Professional Skills Assessment (CPSA). This standardized assessment ensures all UK medical graduates meet consistent standards for safe medical practice, replacing the previous system of individual medical school finals.
The UK Medical Licensing Assessment (UKMLA) is a new mandatory two-part exam introduced by the GMC for all UK medical students graduating from 2024-25 onwards. It replaces traditional medical school finals and ensures all graduates meet consistent standards for safe medical practice before joining the medical register.
The UKMLA Applied Knowledge Test (AKT) contains 200 single best answer (SBA) questions split across two papers of 100 questions each. Students have approximately 3 hours to complete both papers, covering comprehensive medical knowledge across all specialties.
The Situational Judgement Test (SJT) for Foundation Programme applications was discontinued in 2024, replaced by Preference Informed Allocation (PIA). The Prescribing Safety Assessment (PSA) continues as a separate requirement alongside the UKMLA, focusing specifically on prescribing competencies.
The UKMLA is typically taken during final year (4th or 5th year) as part of medical school finals, between January and July. Your medical school will determine the specific dates within this window. Both AKT and CPSA must be passed to graduate.
The UKMLA is free for UK medical students as it's integrated into their medical degree. Medical schools cover all costs associated with the assessment. Only international medical graduates pay fees for the UKMLA-aligned examinations.
The Clinical and Professional Skills Assessment (CPSA) is the practical component of the UKMLA, equivalent to traditional OSCEs. It assesses clinical examination skills, communication, professional behavior, and practical procedures through structured clinical stations.
No additional study is required beyond your medical school curriculum. The GMC has confirmed that the UKMLA only covers topics already taught in UK medical degrees. Your medical school education is the best preparation for the assessment.
Yes, the Prescribing Safety Assessment (PSA) remains a separate requirement for UK medical students. It's a pass/fail computer-based test focusing on prescribing skills, drug calculations, and medication safety that all final-year students must complete.
Ready to ace your UK medical finals? Access our comprehensive question banks with UKMLA-style AKT questions, PSA practice materials, and OSCE preparation resources designed specifically for the new assessment format.