As a medical student or junior doctor, do you find yourself contemplating the future and envisioning pursuing a postgraduate degree abroad? Are the UK, USA, or other countries on your radar for furthering your education in medicine? Are you a medic planning to settle in the UK? Interested in practicing medicine in Britain? Wondering do you have the right knowledge and skills? Don’t worry, you will be tested for them through the PLAB exam.
Do you know?
If you have graduated from a medical college outside of the UK, European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland, you’ll need to take the PLAB test. Hundreds of MBBS students from India take this test. In fact, out of all overseas locations, India is where the highest number of applications come in from.
The full form of the PLAB exam is “The Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board” Exam. It is conducted to assess the necessary skills of an international medical professional. The test is conducted to check the eligibility of the candidate to practice medicine in the UK. Applicants from outside the European Economic Area and Switzerland must normally take the PLAB test. The PLAB test is organized by the General Medical Council of Great Britain and administered by the British Council.
Come along to learn more about the PLAB exam! But before moving further let’s first have a look…
Topics covered
Highlights of the PLAB Exam
Here are some of the highlights of the PLAB exam:
- To clear PLAB, you need to be as competent as a UK doctor in her 2nd year of foundational training. PLAB exam puts this to the test.
- There are 2 segments to the test. PLAB Test 1 and PLAB Test 2. Once you’ve cleared both segments, you can apply for registration with a doctor’s license to practice in the UK.
Your application for a license must be approved within 2 two years of passing the 2nd exam. Once your application is approved and you are granted registration, you can work as a doctor in the UK.
| Particulars | Highlights |
| Exam Name | PLAB |
| PLAB full form | The Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board Exam |
| Authority | GMC (General Medical Council), UK |
| Mode of Exam | Aptitude Exam – Multiple Choice Questions |
| Exam Duration | 3 hours |
| Number of Questions | 180 questions |
| PLAB Exam Fees | £268 for PLAB 1 and £981 for PLAB 2 |
| PLAB is for which countries | Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Dubai, Ireland, Scotland, Qatar, United Kingdom, and Saudi Arabia |
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Significance of the PLAB Exam
The PLAB exam stands as a critical milestone for international medical graduates aspiring to practice medicine in the UK. Its rigorous testing standards and wide recognition signify the UK’s dedication to upholding patient safety and healthcare quality.
- The PLAB test ensures that international medical graduates meet the UK’s stringent standards for medical competence and linguistic proficiency.
- Healthcare employers in the UK highly value the PLAB qualification, making it a vital credential for securing employment as a doctor.
- Consisting of PLAB 1 and PLAB 2, the exam evaluates medical knowledge, clinical skills, and communication abilities.
- Candidates have a maximum of four attempts for each part of the PLAB exam, with PLAB 2 requiring completion within three years of passing PLAB 1.
- Over the past five years, the pass rate for PLAB 1 has ranged from 69% to 71%, highlighting the exam’s challenging yet achievable nature.
PLAB Exam Eligibility
Eligibility criteria for the PLAB exam require that a medical graduate:
- Your primary medical qualification must be in the field of allopathic medicine and must meet all the following criteria.
- It must be awarded after a program of study involving at least 5,500 hours over a minimum period of three years.
- You can read more about the basic medical training requirements that your qualification must meet if you do not have a UK or equivalent European qualification.
- Qualifications that meet these criteria are considered acceptable for taking the PLAB test or applying for registration with us. This does not mean that such a qualification will always be acceptable, as the criteria may change. The criteria applicable at the time of passing the PLAB or applying for registration with us apply.
World Directory of Medical Schools
Your qualification must be awarded by an institution listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools.
If a qualification is not listed in the catalog, we may still accept it if the reason it is not listed is:
- the qualifying country is not recognized by the UN, or
- the institution that awarded the qualification no longer exists or no longer provides medical education and we are confident that the qualification is valid.
- In each of these circumstances, the qualification must meet all other criteria for the foreign qualification to be acceptable.
Where appropriate, the institution listed in the directory must have sufficient contact information (address or email address, fax or telephone number) to enable the qualifications issued by it to be verified.
Clinical rotations
As part of your basic medical qualification, you must complete a clinical rotation (clinical placement) that has given you relevant clinical experience. This means clinical rotations:
- had to be of acceptable duration
- exposure to medicine and surgery is included
- were supervised or approved by the institution you attended
- is part of your overall training program.
If you studied at more than one institution
If you studied at more than one institution and the research contributed to your underlying medical qualification, we need to be sure that:
- the institution is part of a recognized twinning program or a recognized campus of another institution, or
- it was not possible to get a qualification in one institution for valid reasons.
- Course credits that contributed to your qualification must not include credits transferred from another institution where you failed.
European medical qualification
If you have a medical qualification awarded in the EEA or Switzerland, it can be classified as a corresponding European qualification, unless it has been designated by the General Council.
Note: The GMC may from time to time issue notifications to change the PLAB eligibility criteria.
Apart from the above the candidate must meet the following:
Requirements for the PLAB exam
Before aspiring, doctors take the PLAB exam, they must meet specific eligibility criteria and follow a structured application process. Here are the key requirements for the PLAB exam:
- The PMQ must be obtained from a medical institution recognized and listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools.
- Candidates should have clinical experience as part of their PMQ or during a pregraduate internship.
- A competent score is required on an English language proficiency test such as IELTS, with a band score of at least 7.5.
Application Process
Once eligible, candidates can proceed with the PLAB exam application process:
- Set up an account on the official website of the General Medical Council (GMC).
- Upon account creation, a unique reference number will be generated for use throughout the application process.
- Log in to the GMC account, fill in the required details, and apply for the PLAB exam.
Following these steps ensures that aspiring doctors meet the requirements and successfully apply for the PLAB exam to progress in their medical careers.
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PLAB Exam Fees
You should know that the PLAB test costs more than any other exam you have taken before, except the USMLE. It’s like a financial investment. An investment with a positive return. Anyway, here is the breakdown of all the PLAB costs for you.
You’ll need to pass both parts 1 and 2 of the PLAB test if you’re required to take it to register. Here’s the overview of the cost of the PLAB Exam:
| Particulars | Fees |
| Part 1 of the PLAB test | £268 |
| Part 2 of the PLAB test | £981 |
| PLAB 1 – cancellations over 42 days before the exam | £26.80 |
| PLAB 1 – cancellations 42 days or less before the exam | £268 |
| PLAB 2 – cancellations over 42 days before the exam | £98.10 |
| PLAB 2 – cancellations between 42 and 29 days before the exam | £490.50 |
| PLAB 2 – cancellations 28 days or less before the exam | £981 |
PLAB Exam Dates
In this section, we will provide you with an overview of PLAB exam dates.
Exam and result dates for recent and upcoming PLAB 1 tests
| Exam date | Result date |
| 23 May 2024 | 4 July 2024 from approximately 4 pm |
| 8 August 2024 | 19 September 2024 by 4 pm |
| 7 November 2024 | 19 December 2024 by 4 pm |
| 20 February 2025 | 3 April 2025 by 4 pm |
Dates for the PLAB 2 Exam
For medical professionals aspiring to work in the UK, passing the PLAB 2 exam is a crucial step. Knowing the dates and locations for this exam is essential for successful planning and preparation.
The PLAB 2 exam is conducted at two assessment centre sites in Manchester, UK.
- GMC Clinical Assessment Centre, 3 Hardman Square, Manchester, M3 3EB
- GMC Clinical Assessment Centre, 3 Hardman Street, Manchester, M3 3AW
Important Points to Consider
- Your booking confirmation will specify the test centre you should attend, along with the address. Ensure to double-check this information before your exam day.
- The PLAB 2 test is available throughout the year. You can check the available dates on the PLAB booking service via GMC Online, provided you have your PLAB 1 results.
- Due to high demand, there may be a wait for a test date. It’s recommended to plan and book your exam well in advance to secure your preferred date.
- If you have a UK job offer in the NHS requiring GMC registration or holding UK refugee status, you can contact [email protected] for assistance in securing a test place promptly.
Syllabus of PLAB Exam
Before moving to the syllabus, the test takers must understand the PLAB exam pattern. Here’s the overview of the same – PLAB is divided into two components. PLAB 1 is a three-hour multiple choice exam consisting of 180 questions (1 minute/Qns). PLAB 2 is a 2-hour OSCE test that includes 18 real-life situations (10 minutes per case and 2 rest points).
PLAB 1 exam
Here is the detailed syllabus for PLAB 1.
Blood and Lymph
- Pallor
- Generalized enlarged lymph nodes
- Bruising/ bleeding/ purpura
- Abnormal blood film
Breast
- Breast lump and pain
Cardiovascular
- Peripheral venous problems
- Peripheral edema, breathlessness
- Peripheral arterial disease
- Palpitations
- Hypertension
- Heart murmur
- Fatigue
- Chest pain
Child Health
- Failure to thrive (Physical, Psychological, and social)
- Developmental problems (Physical, Psychological, and social)
- Congenital abnormalities
Digestive
- Upper GI symptoms
- Nutrition
- Lower GI symptoms
- Jaundice
- Facial pain and swelling
- Anorexia and weight loss
- Abdominal pain
- Abdominal mass
Endocrine
- Thyroid abnormalities
- General endocrine disorder
- Abnormal blood sugar
ENT
- Vertigo
- Nasal symptoms
- Hoarseness and/or stridor
- Hearing problems
- Earache
Ethical and Professional
- Drawing from GMC explanatory guidance
- Drawing from Good medical practice (2013) Duties of a doctor
Eye
- Visual impairment
- Red-eye
- Orbital swelling
- Eye pain
Genitourinary
- Vaginal discharge
- Urethral discharge
Homeostatic
- Electrolyte abnormalities
- Acid-base imbalance and blood gas abnormalities
Infectious diseases
- Viral infections
- Travel medicine and tropical infections
- Serious infection
- Hospital-acquired infection
Mental Health
- Psychosis
- Personality and behavioral disorders
- Mood (affective) problems
- Medically unexplained physical symptoms
- Legal frameworks
- Learning and communication problems
- Eating problems
- Deliberate self-harm
- Confusion
- Anxiety
- Alcohol and drug use disorder and dependence
Muscul skeletal
- Back and neck problems
- Connective tissue disorders
- Foot and ankle problems
- Hand and wrist problems
- Hip problems
- Knee problems
- Rheumatological problems
- Shoulder/upper limb problems
- Skeletal problems, including fractures
Neurological
- Blackouts and faints (funny turns)
- Cranial nerve problems
- Falls
- Headache
- Movement disorders, including tremors and gait problems
- Peripheral nerve problems and abnormalities of sensation
- Seizures
- Speech and language disorder
- Weakness and fatigue
Older adults
- Confusion
- Symptoms of terminal illness
Pharmacological
- Clinical pharmacology (Antimicrobial stewardship, Prescribing safety)
Renal
- Abnormalities of the urine
- Renal problems
- Urinary excretion
Reproductive
- Contraception
- Fertility problems
- Normal pregnancy and care
- Problems in pregnancy, including bleeding
- Irregular vaginal bleeding
- Cervical smear/ colposcopy
- Pelvic mass
- Pelvic pain
- Vulval and vaginal lumps/lesions
- Prolapse
- Urinary incontinence
Respiratory
- Breathlessness
- Chest pain
- Cough and hemoptysis
- Wheeze/ Stridor
Seriously ill patients
- Collapse
- Fever/ Infection
- Multiple trauma
- Shock
Skin
- Bites and stings
- Bullous
- Dermatological manifestations of systemic disease
- Extremes of temperature
- Hair and nail problems
- Itchy and scaly rashes
- Infections
- Lumps
- Moles and pigmented lesions
- Ulcers
Urological
- Groin/scrotal pain and swelling
- Urinary tract obstruction
- Abnormalities of the urine
- Urinary symptoms (UTI & Prostatic cancer)
PLAB 2 Exam Syllabus
As stated earlier, PLAB 2 is an OSCE test. As a result, there is no prescribed curriculum or diseases to study. The PLAB 2 exam will consist of 18 scenarios to be completed. Your abilities to diagnose, investigate, manage, and treat will be tested.
PLAB Exam Preparation Tips
Preparing for the PLAB exam can be both challenging and rewarding. The Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) test is a crucial step for international medical graduates aspiring to practice medicine in the UK. Here are some effective tips to help you prepare for the PLAB exam:
- Familiarize yourself with the exam structure, including the number of questions, timing, and types of questions.
- Utilize trusted study materials such as textbooks, online courses, and practice exams specifically designed for the PLAB.
- Develop strategies to manage your time effectively during the exam to ensure you can answer all questions within the allotted time.
- Identify your weak areas and dedicate more time to studying those topics to improve your overall performance.
- Collaborate with other PLAB aspirants to share resources, discuss difficult concepts, and gain different perspectives.
- Create a study schedule and stick to it consistently to cover all necessary topics before the exam.
- Regularly take mock exams to simulate the actual testing environment and evaluate your progress.
By following these tips and staying dedicated to your preparation, you can increase your chances of success in the PLAB exam.
Suggested Reading: Masters in the UK
What after the PLAB exam?
Now the question comes what to do after the PLAB exam? or How to join as a Doctor in the UK? Here is the answer- In the UK there is a complex system of different doctors depending on their experience, competence, and knowledge. Let’s put it.
- Let’s say you have completed primary medicine (MBBS in India) with four and a half years of courses and one year of compulsory internship (this may vary from country to country).
- But in the UK, this MBBS or primary medicine degree is obtained immediately after 4-6 years of study.
- They will intern as Foundation Doctors for two years (FY1 and FY2). During this period, they will rotate between the departments of general surgery, general medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, geriatrics, emergency medicine, and psychiatry.
- After passing the PLAB exam, when you enter the UK, you will be at the same level as the FY2 Foundation Doctors.
After PLAB, there will be several options for further action. They are:
- Starting FY1 without training is NOT recommended (because you are doing the same thing again and wasting your time)
- Starting with a non-training level of FY 2 is highly recommended
- It is recommended to start training at the CT1 / ST1 level
- You will complete 2 to 3 years of basic or specialized training depending on your major (Completion of CT 1,2,3 or ST 1,2,3)
- At this level, you will need to pass the MRCP/MRCS exams
- Then there will be specialty training from ST 3+ to ST9
- You will now be recognized as a general practitioner or consultant
Final Thoughts!
PLAB is pretty straightforward with countless resources available to help you get ready. Starting the preparation as early as 6 months is a great idea! Take as many mock tests as you can. 4 groups of skills will be tested: diagnosis, investigations, management, and treatment.
Use the links given below to access the PLAB guides. That’s about it. You have all the information you’ll need and important links for the PLAB exam.
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Also read,
- Guide for PLAB test 1
- Guide for PLAB test 2
- How are PLAB tests running during COVID?
- Ready to book your PLAB test?
- Career Options in Medicine
- Recurring fees for registered doctors in the UK
FAQs
The Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) exam is primarily recognized in the United Kingdom (UK) for medical licensing purposes. Medical professionals from various countries, including India, Pakistan, Nigeria, and Egypt, among others, take the PLAB exam to practice medicine in the UK and gain registration with the General Medical Council (GMC).
No, the PLAB exam is specifically designed for doctors seeking to practice medicine in the UK. It consists of two parts: PLAB 1, which assesses theoretical knowledge, and PLAB 2, which evaluates clinical skills through practical assessments. The exam structure aligns with the requirements of the General Medical Council (GMC) in the UK.
Many people find it difficult to answer all 180 questions in the 3-hour time limit. Leaving questions unanswered means automatic failure. Although you can take the exam four times, it is best to pass it on the first try. This can save time and money.
PLAB 1 – This exam is conducted in MCQ format consisting of 180 questions to be solved in 3 hours. PLAB 2 – This part includes an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) consisting of 18 clinical stations. Each station is 18 minutes long with 2 minutes of reading time.
USMLE is the licensing test for America and PLAB is for the UK. USMLE has 3 stages and PLAB has 2 stages. After completing or passing one of the tests, you will receive an MD degree, which is equivalent to our MBBS degree. A student’s choice for USMLE or PLAB depends on several factors, which include the choice of residence, financial situation, relatives living in the US or UK, the culture and environment of the country to which they can easily adapt, and several other factors.
Anushree Rastogi is a Senior Content Writer at iDreamCareer, bringing over 5 years of expertise to the field of career counseling. She has done a PGDM in Marketing and Finance and possesses a unique blend of skills that allows her to craft engaging and informative content. She is passionate about helping individuals navigate their career paths and has dedicated her career to providing valuable insights through her content. Her commitment to excellence and keen understanding of the career landscape make her a trusted guide for those seeking professional direction. With a flair for clear and engaging writing, Anushree is on a mission to empower others to make informed and fulfilling career choices.
