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Medicine student practicing ophthalmology skills in clinical skills at Castle Hill Hospital

Assessment and feedback

Our assessments and ongoing feedback support you to fulfil your potential by ensuring that you develop the skills needed to practise medicine safely and confidently.

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Providing a supportive environment where you can succeed

We are committed to helping you reach your full potential by providing numerous opportunities to receive constructive feedback and to monitor your progress.

Assessment is a broad process that extends beyond formal examinations. It includes a variety of approaches, such as tutor assessments both in clinical placements and at the university, peer assessment, and even self-assessment.

How will you be assessed?

We use both formative and summative assessments throughout the programme.

Formative assessments

Formative assessments are intended to provide feedback on how you are progressing. Their purpose is to help you and your tutors identify your strengths, so that you can build upon them, and the areas in which you can develop.

There are many ways you can be formally assessed, such as written assignments, online tests or examinations, clinical assessments, or practical assessments.

Formative assessments do not count towards your progression or final qualification, but are designed to provide you with constructive feedback to help you build upon what you have already learned. 

They also help to ensure you are familiar with the format and methods used for later summative assessments that you will take. 

Summative assessments

Summative assessments are used to measure progress and to determine whether you have achieved the level of attainment required to progress through the programme, and to graduate as a doctor.

Medicine student Vassili Crispi

HULL YORK MEDICAL SCHOOL Stories

Throughout the curriculum, you are supported to achieve your full potential. One-to-one meetings with your tutors and supervisors help you improve your academic skills and prepare you for exams, and there are numerous opportunities to receive feedback on your development. You will also validate your knowledge and skills with every patient you encounter; every day is a new challenge, and every challenge is a new learning experience!
2021 graduate

Dr Vassili Crispi

Types of assessments

We use a variety of assessment types. You may be familiar with many of these already such as written assignments, online tests, presentations and examinations.

However, you may encounter types of assessment you may not be familiar with, such as anatomy ‘spotter’ examinations, clinical examinations and our online portfolio.

Anatomy 'spotter' examination

During anatomy spotter examinations, students rotate around 'stations', with each station comprising one or more anatomical specimens with tagged, flagged or otherwise labelled anatomical structures.

Students are required to answer questions relating to the labelled structures. Each question will typically assess your ability to identify the structure, or assess your knowledge about anatomical relationships or the function of a single labelled anatomical structure.

Clinical examinations

Clinical examinations are arranged as a circuit of stations in which you will be required to complete one or more tasks. They are usually assessed by direct observation by a trained and impartial examiner.

The stations are designed to assess your level of competence across a range of clinical competencies.

In the earlier years of the MB BS course, these stations are shorter and include assessment of communication skills, physical examination and problem-solving skills using simulated patients or healthy volunteers.

In later years, you will consult with real or simulated patients to inform your clinical reasoning about what the possible diagnoses may be, and how to manage the patient.

Online portfolio

The online portfolio enables monitoring of your progress throughout the programme, and supports the development of your reflection skills, clinical expertise and professionalism.

National Assessment

Medical Licensing Assessment (MLA)

The UK Medical Licensing Assessment (MLA) was introduced in 2024 by the General Medical Council (GMC) to ensure that all doctors practicing in the UK meet the same standards of core knowledge, skills, and professionalism, regardless of where they obtained their medical degree. The MLA is a standardised, national examination which is mandatory for all UK medical graduates seeking to practice medicine in the UK. It aims to provide an agreed standard of proficiency for entry into UK medical practice and to enhance public confidence in the quality and consistency of doctors entering the NHS workforce.

The MLA consists of a two-part assessment framework; an online written Applied Knowledge Test (AKT) and a practical Clinical and Professional Skills Assessment (CPSA), focusing on the knowledge and skills relevant to modern medical practice, including professionalism, communication, and patient-centred care. From academic year 2024/25 all medical students graduating from UK medical schools must pass the MLA before they can join the medical register and practice medicine in the UK.

Visit the General Medical Council website for more information about the MLA.