Both lead to GMC registration with a licence to practise, and the GMC builds both on the same content map and standard. They are still different exams for different people.
| UKMLA | PLAB | |
|---|---|---|
| Who sits it | UK medical students (from 2024–25, check your school) | Most international medical graduates |
| Part one | AKT: 200 single-best-answer questions across two papers | PLAB 1: a written single-best-answer exam |
| Part two | CPSA: stations run by your medical school | PLAB 2: a stations-based clinical exam run by the GMC |
| Who runs it | The GMC sets the AKT; each school runs its CPSA | The GMC |
| Fees | Ask your medical school what applies to you | PLAB 1 £283 and PLAB 2 £1,036 (from 1 April 2026) |
Are they the same exam?
- No. They share a content map and standard, but the papers, booking, fees and venues differ.
- The GMC has said PLAB is being aligned with the UKMLA. Check its latest announcement for what that means for you.
- Pass the one that applies to your route. Preparing for the wrong one wastes time.
Which one applies to me?
- Studying at a UK medical school: the UKMLA, through your school.
- Qualified overseas and applying to the GMC: usually PLAB, unless another route fits your qualification. See UKMLA for international graduates.
Quick answers
- What is the difference between the UKMLA and PLAB?
- The UKMLA is the licensing assessment for UK medical students: an AKT and a school-run CPSA. PLAB is the GMC’s two-part test used by most international graduates. Both are built on the same content map and standard.
- Does the UKMLA replace PLAB?
- Not entirely. The GMC has said PLAB is being aligned with the UKMLA rather than simply abolished, and international graduates should check the GMC’s latest announcement.
- Is PLAB easier than the UKMLA?
- They are designed to the same standard, so neither is meant to be easier. They differ in format, booking and who runs them.
- Can a UK medical student take PLAB instead of the UKMLA?
- UK students normally meet the requirement through their medical school’s UKMLA assessments. Ask your school if your situation is unusual.
General education, reviewed 27 October 2026. Guidance changes: confirm with the official sources. Not medical, legal or immigration advice.