MLA Questions

The Medical Licensing Assessment (MLA), also known as the UKMLA, is a standardised medical licensing exam in the United Kingdom. It's designed to assess the knowledge and skills of medical graduates to ensure that they meet the required standards for safe and effective practice as doctors.

The MLA is taken by all medical graduates who wish to practise medicine in the UK, regardless of whether they trained in the UK or abroad. This includes international medical graduates (IMGs), or IMGs and those who are completing their medical degrees in the UK.

For medical students in the UK, you will sit the UKMLA around the time you have your finals exams. For International medical graduates, it will eventually replace the PLAB and you can consider the terms interchangeable for the purposes of this video (especially when we get to the format of the exam).

The MLA consists of two main components: the Applied Knowledge Test (AKT) and the Clinical and Professional Skills Assessment (CPSA). The AKT is a written exam that assesses your knowledge of medical science, clinical reasoning, and professional practice. This will be two 100 SBA question exams, taken on a computer, with each exam will be 2 hours long. The CPSA evaluates your clinical and professional skills through a series of practical assessments. This part of the exam can take place at various clinical sites and is designed to reflect real-life scenarios

The GMC have produced dedicated Content Maps for each specialty that will be examined in the MLA, consisting of core presentations and conditions for each. Although a long document, please don’t be alarmed - in the UK this is very much aligned with your medical school curricula and similarly if you have trained abroad this is likely to be the case too.

At Quesmed, our questions and knowledge library are fully aligned to the MLA content map, covering exactly what you need to know for the exam. We also have an integrated content map to help you tick off conditions as you go along.

The best way to prepare for the MLA is by doing as many practice questions as possible, supplemented by targeted reading to develop your knowledge.

Here are some more detailed tips:

Practice Questions: Engage with a large number of practice questions covering all areas of the content map. This helps in familiarising yourself with the format and types of questions you will encounter.

Mock Tests: Take simulated mock exams under conditions similar to the actual MLA AKT to help you prepare for the actual exam

Review Explanations: After completing practice questions, spend time understanding both correct and incorrect answers. This analysis is crucial for identifying areas that need more attention.

Targeted Reading: Based on your question reviews, read relevant topic chapters on online knowledge libraries to identify any knowledge gaps

Pace yourself: Ensure your study plan includes breaks and time for relaxation, especially with busy clinical schedules.

The best way to prepare for CPSA or OSCE exams is through a combination of practical skills practice, clinical knowledge enhancement, and communication skill development.

Here are some more detailed tips:

Practical Skills Practice: Regularly engage in hands-on practice of clinical skills, such as physical examinations, procedures, and history taking. This helps in familiarising yourself with the practical aspects of clinical care.

Mock OSCE Stations: Participate in simulated OSCE stations under conditions similar to the actual exam. This practice will help you adapt to the format and time constraints of the OSCE.

Communication Practice: Focus on improving your patient interaction skills by praticing with real patients or with your friends are role players. Engage in role-playing scenarios to enhance your ability to communicate effectively and empathetically with patients.

Time Management: Practice pacing yourself during each station to efficiently manage your time and complete tasks within the allocated period.

Feedback and Reflection: Seek feedback from peers, mentors, or through self-assessment on both your clinical and communication skills. Reflect on this feedback to identify areas for improvement.

Remember, success in OSCEs is not just about medical knowledge, but also about demonstrating practical skills and effective communication. Regular practice and self-evaluation are key to performing well in these exams.