Medical School Assessments

Current Examinations

Medical students at the end of their course will apply to foundation programmes. They apply using a combined score from two tests (a maximum of 100 points) taken at the end of their university course. Each test is scored out of 50:

  • Educational and Performance Measure (EPM)

    • Max 43 marks from the student decile ranking.

    • Additional 7 marks for other educational achievements (e.g publishings and degrees).

    In 2020 however, they scrapped these additional 7 marks and instead allocated 50 marks to the students decile ranking.

  • Situational Judgment Test (SJT)

    Very similar to the SJT in UCAT. These are multiple choice and ranking questions where applicants are asked how they would respond to work-related situations. Maximum of 50 marks.

After leaving university, most medical students enter a foundation programme. For their first year working as a doctor (Foundation Year 1) they have a provisional licence with the GMC. After this, if they are deemed fit to practice, they are awarded a Foundation Year 1 Certificate of Completion and can apply for a full licence with the GMC (which must be renewed every 5 years, see: Medical Revalidation). At the end of the two foundation years, they receive the Foundation Achievement of Competence Document and can move onto speciality training.

Prescribing Safety Assessment (PSA)

In order to complete Foundation Year 1, doctors currently have to take the Prescribing Safety Assessment. This is an online assessment which tests the doctor’s competency as identified in the GMC’s “Outcomes for Graduates” including: writing new prescriptions, renewing existing prescriptions, and calculating drug doses. This will be scrapped from 2024 onwards.

Medical Licensing Assessment

This is a new (additional) assessment set by the GMC for medical students graduating in the academic years 2024/2025 onwards. It will replace the overseas exam, the PLAB, and also the Prescribing Safety Assessment, enabling a common threshold for all UK practicing doctors. This is a pass or fail exam and a requirement in order to be added to the medical register. It consists of two parts:

  • The applied knowledge test (APT)

    • A computer multiple choice exam where you have to apply medical knowledge to different scenarios. This is similar to the SJT on the UCAT.

  • The Clinical and Professional Skills Assessment (CPSA)

    • These are also called OSCE or OSLER and are in person scenarios. Similar to role-play MMI’s.

If passed, the doctor can apply for a full licence on the GMC Medical Register.