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UKMLA pass mark: how it is set

There is no single percentage that passes the UKMLA AKT. See how the pass mark is set, what it means for revision and where the GMC explains it.

3 minute read · reviewed 27 October 2026

Candidates often ask for “the UKMLA pass mark” as a percentage. The honest answer is that there is no fixed percentage to aim for, and sites that quote one are guessing.

How the standard is set

  • The AKT is judged pass or fail against a standard, not against a fixed percentage.
  • Standards for exams like this are usually set by panels of clinicians who judge how a newly qualified doctor who is just safe to practise would perform on each question.
  • Because questions differ between papers, the number of marks that meets the standard can differ too.
  • The GMC explains its method on its Medical Licensing Assessment pages. Read that, not a forum rumour.

The CPSA

The CPSA is run and marked by your medical school against criteria that meet GMC requirements. Ask your assessment office how stations are scored and how the overall result is decided.

What this means for your revision

  • Aim to be consistently safe across the whole content map, not to hit a magic score.
  • Treat every weak area as a risk: a pass depends on breadth, not on being brilliant in one system.
  • Use full, timed papers near the end of your preparation to judge readiness, and review every error.

Quick answers

What is the UKMLA pass mark?
There is no fixed percentage. The AKT is judged against a standard set by a formal process, so the number of marks needed can vary between papers. The GMC explains the method on its website.
Is the pass mark the same for the AKT and the CPSA?
No. The AKT is a central written test judged against a standard. The CPSA is run and marked by each medical school, which decides how its stations are scored within GMC requirements.
Can I find out my percentage score?
That depends on how your school or the GMC reports results. Ask your assessment office what feedback you will receive.
How should I revise if there is no target percentage?
Cover the whole content map, practise mixed timed question blocks, and learn from every mistake. Breadth and safe judgement matter more than any single score.

General education, reviewed 27 October 2026. Guidance changes: confirm with the official sources. Not medical, legal or immigration advice.