By Karin Abrena Sam Kingston
The United Kingdom Medical Licensing Assessment (UKMLA) Applied Knowledge Test (AKT) is one part of the two-part exam introduced by the General Medical Council (GMC) for all medical students graduating from 2025 onwards. The AKT is an on-screen exam consisting of single best answer (SBA) questions taken under invigilation. Your medical school will inform you of your exam date. The AKT is divided into two papers, each consisting of 100 questions with a two hour time limit. The exam blueprint outlines conditions and presentations that can be accessed from the official UKMLA website.
Having passed the AKT, here are my top tips:
Master your learning material. Ensure you understand the pathophysiology, signs and symptoms, differential diagnosis, investigations and management for each of the conditions mentioned on the UKMLA content map. This knowledge forms the foundation of the AKT.
Retain information effectively. While I used ANKI for spaced repetition, do what works for you. Some may prefer re-reading notes, while others might benefit from drawing mind maps. Creating an effective revision strategy based on pattern recognition with a focus on high yield questions yields optimal results.
Make the most of placements. Review patient notes and actively think through why patients present the way they do and how they can be treated. This will help bridge theory and practice.
Follow your medical school’s guidance. The AKT is embedded within your school’s curriculum, therefore your medical school will support you throughout. Follow their guidance and utilise the resources they offer.
My favourite study resources:
PassMedicine was my holy grail. The UKMLA content map available was incredibly useful. I would suggest doing as many questions you could as possible and focus on understanding the rationale behind why each option is right or wrong.
Quesmed. This was quite similar to PassMedicine, but had longer question stems and a wider variety. It’s a great complementary resource.
NICE CKS. Always cross check your learning with CKS. It ensures you are working with the most up-to-date and accurate information.
Geekymedics. I mainly used this to read up on the pathophysiology to get a better insight on the conditions as a whole.
Oxford handbook of Clinical Medicine and Oxford handbook of Clinical Surgery. These are the only 2 books I used. They provide the perfect balance of detail for studying and revision.
Official UKMLA Practice Papers. Worth doing them to familiarise yourself with the style of questioning and the depth of knowledge you require for the conditions. Set up a timed mock test using these papers to simulate exam conditions.
Tips for exam day:
Rest well. Ensure you have had a good night’s sleep before the exam and have a nutritious meal on the day.
Try to refrain from any last-minute revision. This will only lead to unnecessary anxiety, instead
Pack the night before. Gather all essential items (as specified by your medical school- mine asked us to bring student ID, water in a clear bottle and calculator) the day before to avoid any last-minute hassle. Stationery is provided on the day of the exam and can be used to perform any calculations/work out answers, by drawing Punnett diagrams for genetics etc. This will be collected at the end of the exam to scan and send back.
Dress comfortably.
After your exam:-
All is done now. Take the well-deserved break that you have earned before going back to your busy schedule. Your results should be available within 4-6 weeks, and you will receive both a cumulative score for the two papers and a breakdown of the percentage you have scored in individual domains. You are expected to achieve an overall pass mark.
Final thoughts:
Finals can be daunting, but good organisation will help you stay on track. Create a study timetable that includes regular breaks, plenty of sleep and time for self-care to prevent burnout. Remember that at the end of the day this is just an exam, and the important thing is that you are shaping to be a safe doctor.
All the best!!!
Resources:
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