UKMLA (UK Medical Licensing Assessment (UKMLA / AKT)) — Free Online Mock Test
The new (2024-25 onwards) mandatory licensing exam for UK medical graduates — Applied Knowledge Test (AKT) computer-based. · Official language: English.
UKMLA exam at a glance
UKMLA full-length mock tests
Attempt 50 full-length UKMLA mock tests, each a distinct question set built on the real 200-question, 300-minute pattern — with instant scoring and section-wise analysis. The first 3 are free.
See all 50 UKMLA mock tests →UKMLA key facts & eligibility
| Conducting body | General Medical Council (GMC), UK |
|---|---|
| Official website | gmc-uk.org ↗ |
| Mode | The UK Medical Licensing Assessment (MLA) — a common threshold for safe practice required to join the UK medical register, applying to both UK medical graduates and international medical graduates (IMGs). It is being introduced through a phased rollout. |
| Frequency | Delivered on schedules set by medical schools (for UK graduates) and by the GMC (for IMGs). |
| Scoring & marking | The MLA has two components — the Applied Knowledge Test (AKT), a computer-based single-best-answer multiple-choice exam, and the Clinical and Professional Skills Assessment (CPSA), an OSCE-style practical assessment. For IMGs the MLA is delivered through the PLAB test, which is now MLA-compliant (PLAB 1 meets the AKT requirement and PLAB 2 meets the CPSA requirement); UK graduates take the AKT and CPSA within their medical schools. |
| Language | English. |
Who is eligible for UKMLA?
UK medical students take the MLA as part of their degree; IMGs take it as part of seeking GMC registration, and must separately evidence English-language competence.
Last verified July 2026 against GMC — Medical Licensing Assessment, GMC — PLAB and the MLA. Always confirm current details on the official website before you register.
UKMLA section breakdown
The UKMLA mock test on Wrexa Edge replicates the real exam's section structure — same names, same question count per section, same time limits. Inter-section breaks are enforced.
-
AKT Paper 1 (100 Q)
-
AKT Paper 2 (100 Q)
UKMLA scoring & marking scheme
Strategy: UKMLA has no negative marking. Attempt every question — blank answers cost you potential marks but cannot pull your score down.
Scale: UKMLA AKT (% accuracy, pass mark per cohort).
How UKMLA is conducted
- Mode
- Test format
- Backtracking
- Mark for review
Tools available during the UKMLA exam
-
Lab Values
Wrexa Edge renders these tools inside the mock test exactly as they appear on the real UKMLA exam — same shortcuts, same behaviour.
UKMLA time strategy
With 200 questions in 300 minutes, you have about 90 seconds per question on average. Successful candidates aim for the following pacing on each section:
- AKT Paper 1 (100 Q)
- AKT Paper 2 (100 Q)
Wrexa Edge's analytics show your actual time-per-question after every mock so you can spot which sections you're losing time on.
UKMLA topics covered
Across the 50 Wrexa Edge variants of UKMLA, the following topics appear most often (sample distribution from one variant):
AKT Paper 1 (100 Q)
- Obstetrics · 10
- Respiratory · 7
- Neonatology · 7
- Schizophrenia & Psychosis · 7
- Hepatobiliary · 6
- Gastroenterology · 4
- Trauma · 4
- Growth & Development · 4
AKT Paper 2 (100 Q)
- Obstetrics · 10
- Respiratory · 7
- Neonatology · 7
- Schizophrenia & Psychosis · 7
- Hepatobiliary · 6
- Gastroenterology · 4
- Trauma · 4
- Growth & Development · 4
UKMLA difficulty calibration
Advanced tier. Advanced-level: high-stakes exam with rigorous content depth. Expect 4-8 months of structured prep.
The new (2024-25 onwards) mandatory licensing exam for UK medical graduates — Applied Knowledge Test (AKT) computer-based. · Official language: English.
Verified content — Wrexa Edge's UKMLA bank has been deeply curated with real exam-aligned content (estimated 100% syllabus coverage).
How Wrexa Edge prepares you for UKMLA
- Real test-day interface
- 50 distinct variants
- Detailed analytics
- Spaced repetition (Notebook)
- Optional proctoring
- Free to start
Expert take: what UKMLA really tests
The UK Medical Licensing Assessment (MLA), run by the General Medical Council, sets a common threshold for safe practice to join the UK medical register, for both UK graduates and international medical graduates. It has two components — the Applied Knowledge Test (AKT), a computer-based single-best-answer exam, and the Clinical and Professional Skills Assessment (CPSA), an OSCE-style practical. UK students take the MLA within their degrees; for IMGs it is delivered through the PLAB test, now MLA-compliant (PLAB 1 meets the AKT, PLAB 2 meets the CPSA). The rollout is phased.
Preparation tips
- Base preparation on the GMC MLA content map.
- Practise single-best-answer questions for the AKT.
- Rehearse OSCE stations for the CPSA.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming the MLA simply replaced PLAB — PLAB was aligned to the MLA for IMGs.
- Neglecting the practical CPSA component.
UKMLA study plan
A phase-by-phase roadmap from your first concept to test-ready. Stretch or compress each phase to fit the time you have before your attempt.
- GMC MLA content map
- Common and important conditions
- Applied clinical knowledge
- Single-best-answer practice
- Diagnosis and management
- Data interpretation
- History-taking stations
- Examination and procedures
- Communication and professionalism
Where UKMLA can take you
A strong UKMLA result opens up these careers and higher-study paths:
- UK medical registration
- UK graduates & IMGs
Best books & official prep for UKMLA
- MLA content map — GMC
- AKT & CPSA preparation resources — Various
Official practice: Prepare using the GMC MLA content map for the Applied Knowledge Test and OSCE-style practice for the Clinical and Professional Skills Assessment; IMGs prepare through the MLA-compliant PLAB test.
Previous-year papers: The GMC publishes the MLA content map and sample AKT questions.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the UKMLA exam pattern?
- UK Medical Licensing Assessment (UKMLA / AKT) contains 200 questions across 2 sections: AKT Paper 1 (100 Q), AKT Paper 2 (100 Q). Total duration is 300 minutes (about 90 seconds per question).
- Does UKMLA have negative marking?
- No — UKMLA has no negative marking. Each correct answer is worth 1 mark, so attempt every question.
- How is UKMLA scored?
- Scaled score range: 0 to 100. UKMLA AKT (% accuracy, pass mark per cohort).
- How can I practise UKMLA online for free?
- Wrexa Edge gives you 3 free full-length UKMLA mock tests — with instant scoring, detailed explanations and analytics — plus 47 more with Pro. Start practising in under a minute, no card required.
- What is the difficulty level of UKMLA?
- UKMLA is rated Advanced difficulty on Wrexa Edge. Advanced-level: high-stakes exam with rigorous content depth. Expect 4-8 months of structured prep. The new (2024-25 onwards) mandatory licensing exam for UK medical graduates — Applied Knowledge Test (AKT) computer-based. · Official language: English.
- How long is the UKMLA exam?
- UKMLA runs for 300 minutes total across 2 sections. On Wrexa Edge the timer is enforced exactly as on the real exam — including mandatory inter-section breaks.
- What topics are covered in UKMLA?
- UKMLA is split into: AKT Paper 1 (100 Q), AKT Paper 2 (100 Q). Each section is timed and weighted separately. The new (2024-25 onwards) mandatory licensing exam for UK medical graduates — Applied Knowledge Test (AKT) computer-based. · Official language: English.
- What tools or aids are allowed during UKMLA?
- Built-in lab values reference table (USMLE-style).
- Is the UKMLA test adaptive?
- No — UKMLA is a fixed-form (linear) test. Every candidate sees the same number of questions per section.
- How many UKMLA mock tests does Wrexa Edge offer?
- Wrexa Edge generates 50 distinct UKMLA variants — each with different question content, not just shuffled options — the first 3 free for everyone and 47 more with Pro. That's 10000 unique practice questions in the real test-day interface.
- Is there a free UKMLA test series 2026?
- Yes. The Wrexa Edge UKMLA test series for 2026 gives you 3 free full-length mock tests (50 in total) plus subject-wise and topic-wise tests — instant scoring and detailed analysis, no card required.
- Are UKMLA previous year question–style papers included?
- Every UKMLA mock is modelled on the official exam pattern and the style of previous years' papers — the same 200-question structure, sections and marking — so your practice mirrors the real paper you'll sit.
- Which is the best free UKMLA mock test online?
- Wrexa Edge's UKMLA mock test replicates the real exam interface, timing and marking scheme, with instant score, section-wise analysis and 50 fresh variants — a strong free choice for 2026 preparation.
- Can I take the UKMLA mock test on mobile?
- Yes. UKMLA mock tests run in any browser on mobile, tablet or desktop — no app or download needed. Start on your phone and your progress and analytics sync when you sign in.
- What is the UKMLA syllabus?
- The UKMLA syllabus maps to its 2 sections: AKT Paper 1 (100 Q), AKT Paper 2 (100 Q). Wrexa Edge's mock tests cover the complete syllabus topic by topic — see the topics-covered breakdown above — so you practise every area at real exam difficulty.
- What is the eligibility for UKMLA?
- UK medical students take the MLA as part of their degree; IMGs take it as part of seeking GMC registration, and must separately evidence English-language competence. Wrexa Edge focuses on realistic UKMLA practice: 3 free full-length mocks in the exact exam pattern, ready whenever you are.
- When is the UKMLA exam and how should I prepare?
- Official UKMLA exam dates are announced by the conducting body for each cycle — check the latest notification for the current schedule. To be ready, follow a phased study plan and take full-length timed mocks; Wrexa Edge gives you 3 free UKMLA mocks with instant scoring so you can track your readiness week by week.
Related exams & practice tests
Candidates preparing for UKMLA also practise these on Wrexa Edge:
Browse more: All Medical Licensing exams → · All United Kingdom exams → · Full exam catalog →
Ready to ace UKMLA?
Join thousands of candidates practising on Wrexa Edge. Free signup, 50 variants per exam, instant scoring.
Start practising free →