UKMLA CPSA and PLAB 2: how they differ

What the UKMLA CPSA is

The Medical Licensing Assessment has two parts: the applied knowledge test and the clinical and professional skills assessment. UK medical schools set and deliver the CPSA for students in their penultimate or final year. The GMC does not run a national CPSA. It checks each school's assessment against published requirements.

Each school sets its own format, so the number of stations and timing can differ. We do not state a fixed CPSA station count because none is published.

Difference between PLAB and UKMLA

Both draw on the same MLA content map. The route differs.

The GMC states that PLAB meets the MLA requirements. The pages on PLAB 2 stations list and PLAB 2 mark scheme cover PLAB 2 itself.

Practising for either

The skills overlap: history, examination, explaining, management, ethics. If you are a student, treat PLAB 2 style practice as extra OSCE practice, and check your school's format. A free PLAB 2 practice station needs no sign-up. See what an OSCE is for the format basics.

Common questions

What is the UKMLA CPSA?

The clinical and professional skills assessment, the practical part of the Medical Licensing Assessment, run by each UK medical school.

What is the difference between PLAB and UKMLA?

PLAB is the GMC route for international doctors. The UKMLA is taken by UK medical students, with the CPSA run by their schools.

Is the UKMLA CPSA the same as PLAB 2?

No. They share a content map, but PLAB 2 is a GMC exam with a set format and the CPSA is set by each school.