Section outline
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The Medical School has developed and designed an assessment system weighted towards educational impact that drives learning of all students. The assessment system does not just identify academic progress but drives deep, contextual and constructive learning that will last a lifetime.
The University of Buckingham Medical School is committed to ensuring that methods of assessment are effective in measuring student attainment of the intended learning outcomes and that assessment policy and practices are effective in monitoring the validity, equality and reliability of assessment.
The primary purpose of summative assessment at the University of Buckingham Medical School is to assure the Medical School, the individual student, future employers, the General Medical Council and the public that each student has achieved all of the 'outcomes for graduates' defined in 'Tomorrow's Doctors' (2009) by the end of the course and that students earlier in the course are making satisfactory progress towards those outcomes.
As most students will reach the outcomes through consistently satisfactory performance in assessments, however, the other main purpose of the assessment system is to drive the learning of all students, and the medical school has therefore chosen to place a high weight on educational impact in the design of the assessment system. The aim is to assess students in ways that will drive deep, contextual & constructive learning that will last into life-long practice, not just to identify those few students who are not reaching the outcomes.
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Summative Assessments
In Phase 1, there will be an Applied Knowledge Test (AKT) at the end of each term 2, 3, 5, 6. In Phase 2, there will be an AKT at the end of each rotation. In Phase 1, there will be a Clinical and Professional Skills Assessment (CPSA) at the end of each year. In Phase 2, there will be a CPSA at the end of each rotation. The Key Assessment dates are below. Results will be posted shortly after the exam board has met.
2026 Academic Year
Year 1 MED26 Buckingham Date Day Exam Board Mock AKT 1 CRB 08/04/2026 W n/a AKT 1A CRB 21/07/2026 T 13/08/2026 Mock CPSA CRB 25/08/2026 T n/a ARPP1 n/a 04/10/2026 Su n/a AKT 1B CRB 27/10/2026 T 18/11/2026 AKT 1C CRB 28/10/2026 W 18/11/2026 CPSA 1A CRB 03/11/2026 T 18/11/2026 CPSA 1B CRB 04/11/2026 W 18/11/2026 AKT QE1A CRB 14/12/2026 M 14/01/2027 AKT QE1B CRB 15/12/2026 T 14/01/2027 CPSA QE1 CRB 17/12/2026 TH 14/01/2027 Year 2 MED25 Buckingham Date Day Exam Board Mock AKT2 CRB 09/04/2026 TH n/a AKT 2A CRB 22/07/2026 W 13/08/2026 ARPP2 n/a 18/10/2026 Su n/a AKT 2B CRB 29/10/2026 TH 19/11/2026 AKT 2C CRB 30/10/2026 F 19/11/2026 CPSA 2A CRB 05/11/2026 TH 19/11/2026 CPSA 2B CRB 06/11/2026 F 19/11/2026 QE 2A CRB 14/12/2026 M 27/01/2027 QE 2B CRB 15/12/2026 T 27/01/2027 CPSA QE2 CRB 18/12/2026 F 27/01/2027 Year 3 MED24 Buckingham Crewe Date Day Exam Board ARPP3 Sub D/L tbc tbc 2027 tbc tbc AKT 3A tbc tbc 2027 tbc tbc AKT 3B tbc tbc 2027 tbc tbc CPSA 3A tbc tbc 2027 tbc tbc CPSA 3B tbc tbc 2027 tbc tbc ARPP3 Resub D/L tbc tbc 2027 tbc tbc AKT QE 3A tbc tbc 2027 tbc tbc AKT QE 3B tbc tbc 2027 tbc tbc CPSA QE 3A tbc tbc 2027 tbc tbc CPSA QE 3B tbc tbc 2027 tbc tbc Year 3 MED23 Buckingham Crewe Date Day Exam Board ARPP3 Sub D/L n/a n/a 04/01/2026 SU 02/02/2026 AKT 3A CRB GYM 12/01/2026 M 02/02/2026 AKT 3B CRB GYM 13/01/2026 T 02/02/2026 CPSA 3A CRB FW 15/01/2026 TH 02/02/2026 CPSA 3B CRB FW 16/01/2026 F 02/02/2026 ARPP3 Resub D/L n/a n/a 01/03/2026 SU 24/03/2026 AKT QE 3A MKUH A/C GYM 23/02/2026 M 24/03/2026 AKT QE 3B MKUH A/C GYM 24/02/2026 T 24/03/2026 CPSA QE 3A MKUH A/C MKUH A/C 26/02/2026 TH 24/03/2026 CPSA QE 3B MKUH A/C MKUH A/C 27/02/2026 F 24/03/2026 Mock AKT 4 UoB tbc 25/11/2026 W n/a Year 4 MED22 Buckingham Crewe Date Day Exam Board Mock AKT UoB tbc 13/11/2025 TH n/a PSA1 UoB SEL / DEL 29/01/2026 TH n/a ARPP4 Sub D/L n/a n/a 15/02/2026 SU 01/04/2026 CPSA 4A CRB FW 02/03/2026 M 01/04/2026 CPSA 4B CRB FW 03/03/2026 T 01/04/2026 AKT 4A UoB tbc 04/03/2026 W 01/04/2026 AKT 4B UoB tbc 05/03/2026 TH 01/04/2026 PSA2 tbc tbc 26/03/2026 TH n/a PSA3 tbc tbc 23/04/2026 TH n/a AKT QE 4A UoB tbc 02/06/2026 T 25/06/2026 AKT QE 4B UoB tbc 03/06/2026 W 25/06/2026 CPSA QE 4A CRB CRB 04/06/2026 TH 25/06/2026 CPSA QE 4B CRB CRB 05/06/2026 F 25/06/2026 PSA4 tbc tbc 04/06/2026 TH n/a ARPP4 Resub D/L n/a n/a 03/05/2026 SU 25/06/2026 ARPP5 INTERIM n/a n/a 10/05/2026 SU 25/06/2026 ARPP5 FINAL n/a n/a 21/06/2026 SU 25/06/2026 FPSO n/a n/a 25/06/2026 TH 25/06/2026 2027 Academic Year
Year 1 MED27 Buckingham Date Day Exam Board mAKT1 CRB 06/04/2027 T n/a AKT1A CRB 13/07/2027 T 28/07/2027 mCPSA CRB 24/08/2027 T n/a ARPP1 Submission n/a 26/09/2027 SU n/a CPSA 1A CRB 19/10/2027 T 11/11/2027 CPSA 1B CRB 20/10/2027 W 11/11/2027 AKT1B CRB 26/10/2027 T 11/11/2027 AKT1C CRB 27/10/2027 W 11/11/2027 AKT QE1A CRB 06/12/2027 M 13/01/2028 AKT QE1B CRB 07/12/2027 T 13/01/2028 CPSA QE1A CRB 13/12/2027 M 13/01/2028 CPSA QE1B CRB 14/12/2027 T 13/01/2028 Year 2 MED26 Buckingham Date Day Exam Board Mock AKT2 CRB 07/04/2027 W n/a AKT2A CRB 14/07/2027 W 28/07/2027 ARPP2 Submission n/a 10/10/2027 SU n/a CPSA 2A CRB 21/10/2027 TH 11/11/2027 CPSA 2B CRB 22/10/2027 F 11/11/2027 AKT2B CRB 28/10/2027 TH 11/11/2027 AKT2C CRB 29/10/2027 F 11/11/2027 AKT QE2A CRB 08/12/2027 W 14/01/2028 AKT QE2B CRB 09/12/2027 TH 14/01/2028 CPSA QE2A CRB 15/12/2027 W 14/01/2028 CPSA QE2B CRB 16/12/2027 TH 14/01/2028 Year 3 MED25 Buckingham Crewe Date Day Exam Board ARPP3 Sub D/L tbc tbc 2028 tbc tbc AKT3A tbc tbc 2028 tbc tbc AKT3B tbc tbc 2028 tbc tbc CPSA 3A tbc tbc 2028 tbc tbc CPSA 3B tbc tbc 2028 tbc tbc ARPP3 Resub D/L tbc tbc 2028 tbc tbc AKT QE3A tbc tbc 2028 tbc tbc AKT QE3B tbc tbc 2028 tbc tbc CPSA QE3A tbc tbc 2028 tbc tbc CPSA QE3B tbc tbc 2028 tbc tbc Year 3 MED24 Buckingham Crewe Date Day Exam Board ARPP3 Sub D/L n/a n/a 20/12/2026 SU 21/01/2027 AKT3A CRB CH 06/01/2027 W 21/01/2027 AKT3B CRB CH 07/01/2027 TH 21/01/2027 CPSA 3A CRB WPH 12/01/2027 T 21/01/2027 CPSA 3B CRB WPH 13/01/2027 W 21/01/2027 ARPP3 Resub D/L n/a n/a 14/02/2027 SU 04/03/2027 AKT QE3A MKUH A/C WPH 16/02/2027 T 04/03/2027 AKT QE3B MKUH A/C WPH 17/02/2027 W 04/03/2027 CPSA QE3A MKUH A/C MKUH A/C 18/02/2027 TH 04/03/2027 CPSA QE3B MKUH A/C MKUH A/C 19/02/2027 F 04/03/2027 Year 4 MED23 Buckingham Crewe Date Day Exam Board Mock AKT CRB WPH 25/11/2026 W n/a PSA1 CRB WPH 28/01/2027 TH n/a ARPP4 Sub D/L n/a n/a 14/02/2027 SU 01/04/2027 AKT 4A CRB WPH 03/03/2027 W 01/04/2027 AKT 4B CRB WPH 04/03/2027 TH 01/04/2027 CPSA 4A CRB WPH 09/03/2027 T 01/04/2027 CPSA 4B CRB WPH 10/03/2025 W 01/04/2027 PSA2 MKUH A/C WPH 18/03/2027 TH n/a PSA3 MKUH A/C WPH 15/04/2027 TH n/a CPSA QE4A MKUH A/C MKUH A/C 24/05/2027 M 17/06/2027 CPSA QE4B MKUH A/C MKUH A/C 25/05/2027 T 17/06/2027 AKT QE4A MKUH A/C WPH 26/05/2027 W 17/06/2027 AKT QE4B MKUH A/C WPH 27/05/2027 TH 17/06/2027 PSA4 MKUH A/C WPH 03/06/2027 TH 17/06/2027 ARPP4 Resub D/L n/a n/a 02/05/2027 SU 17/06/2027 ARPP5 INTERIM n/a n/a 09/05/2027 SU 17/06/2027 ARPP5 FINAL n/a n/a 13/06/2026 SU 17/06/2027 (All dates and venues are provisional and may be subject to change)
CRB = Chandos Road Building (Buckingham)
WPH = Wychwood Park Hotel (Crewe)
CH = Crewe Hall (Crewe)
MKUH A/C = Milton Keynes University Hospital Academic Centre
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Dates are indicative only and may be subject to change.
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Written exams may be in the morning or afternoon.
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Times and location will be confirmed two weeks before the exam by email.
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Results are usually released within two working days of the Exam Board meeting.
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Results of assessment maybe withheld if a student has outstanding tuition fees.
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Students need to be available for the whole day for OSCEs.
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Students who do not meet the requirements to progress automatically, can take the qualifying exam (QE).
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Further detail regarding assessment arrangements are described in the Assessment Code Of Practice.
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For information on Mitigating Circumstances, please click here
Formative Assessments
In Phase 1 there will be a formative exam in week 9 of each term.
In Phase 2 there will be a formative exam in week 5 of each block
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This version of the Code of Practice For Assessment will apply to all students from May 2026.
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A summary of information about medical school examinations
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UBMS uses a list of presentations to ensure that students are exposed to all the presentations that a doctor will experience multiple times in their course both in teaching and assessment. Summative assessments are planned, so that students will revisit these presentations multiple times.
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The medical school bases its procedures on those of the University of Buckingham. All students sitting examinations need to be familiar with them.
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There is an appendix to the UoB Academic Integrity Policy and Procedures that explains the position regarding the use of AI.
This is a link to the declaration including the use of AI to be used by students as a cover page when submitting work for marking.
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This is a webinar from the MSCAA about the AKT which will form part of the finals for all medical students from now on.
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This is the presentation from the briefing about the process for submitting your files to your SSC Lead / Supervisor.
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Examsoft is a system that enables you to take exams on various devices. The simple set up process is outlined below.
When you are registered as an examtaker in Examsoft, you will get an automated email asking you to download the Examsoft app (called Examplify) from the app store. Ignore any references to paying a fee and system requirements.
Only update to a new operating system when Examsoft announce that they have completed their compatibility checks on it.This link is to the Minimum System Requirements to run Examplify on your device.
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This presentation explains how to prepare your device to take a digital exam.
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This linked page provides a video demonstrating Examplify. It shows: how to login, download an exam, enter an exam, navigate the app, the different types of question used, and how to exit and upload an exam. It is demonstrated first on a personal computer (laptop) and then on on an iPad (from about 8 minutes).
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In Year 3 of the course students rotate around 6 Blocks (Junior Rotation). This guidance describes how to prepare for the examinations at the end of the year.
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You need to bear in mind infection control and patient safety. Even if your exam is not in a clinical area, the people you are in contact with will be going into clinical areas. For these reasons the MKUH Staff Health and Wellbeing Department provides the following guidance, based on the information in the MKUH document "Precautions for Specific Infections":
Diarrhoea (with an unknown cause): do not attend until asymptomatic for 48 hours if stools are watery (see the Bristol Stool Chart)
Vomitting (with an unknown cause): do not attend until asymptomatic for 48 hours.
Diarrhoea and/or vomitting (with known cause that is not infectious, e.g. IBS or motion sickness): you may attend if you feel well enough.
By starting the exam you are declaring yourself fit to sit and you will not be able to submit MCs on health grounds. If you do not think you are fit you should notify Student Support as normal FMHS-StudentSupport@buckingham.ac.uk
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The UK Medical Licensing Assessment (UK MLA) will be a demonstration that those UK graduates who obtain registration with a licence to practise medicine in the UK meet a common threshold for safe practice. It will go live for students graduating in the academic year 2024-25 or beyond.
The UK MLA will consist of two parts:
- The Medical Schools Applied Knowledge Test (MS AKT): a written assessment of applied clinical knowledge which will be taken by all students at UK medical schools as part of the final set of exams leading to graduation.
- The Clinical and Professional Skills Assessment (CPSA): the clinical examination run by medical schools for students in the final stage of their medical degree.
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A link to the resources about the MLA on the Medical School Council (MSC) website
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A student guide is now available on the MSC website. The guide is designed to provide a general overview of the processes relating to the MS AKT. The guide will be updated yearly.