The Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board test, also known as the PLAB test, is an exam that helps the GMC make sure that doctors who have qualified abroad have the knowledge and skills to practise medicine in the UK.
- What is the PLAB exam?
- Who needs to take the PLAB test?
- PLAB exam structure
- Entry requirements
- PLAB exam dates and fees
- PLAB preparation
- Results and applying for full GMC registration
What is the PLAB exam?
The PLAB is a two part exam that determines whether doctors who have qualified abroad have the right knowledge and skills to practise medicine in the UK, and are at least as capable as a doctor starting their second year of foundation training.
Passing the PLAB test is a route which international doctors can take to obtain their licence to practise with the GMC.
Who needs to take the PLAB test?
Doctors who have graduated outside of the UK, EEA or Switzerland will most likely need to take the PLAB test.
Doctors who have either graduated from a medical school within the EEA or Switzerland or who hold a GMC approved postgraduate qualification are not required to take the PLAB test, as they will already hold the necessary credentials required by the GMC.
PLAB exam structure
Doctors taking the PLAB exam will need to pass two tests: PLAB 1 and PLAB 2.
PLAB 1
- This is a written exam
- The test comprises of 180 multiple choice questions
- Each question begins with a short scenario followed by a related question
- There are 5 possible answers for each question
- You will have 3 hours to complete the exam
The PLAB 1 test can be taken in several locations worldwide. Please click here to see the nearest location for you.
PLAB 2
- This is an objective structured clinical exam
- The test has 18 scenarios
- Each scenario lasts 8 minutes, giving you a total exam time of 2 hours 24 minutes
- The aim of the exam is to reflect real life settings, including an acute ward or mock consultation
The GMC Clinical Assessment Centre, based in Manchester, hosts PLAB 2 tests. You can view the available dates under the ‘My Tests’ section of GMC Online. You can only do this once you have your PLAB 1 results.
Entry requirements
The GMC require applicants for the PLAB exam to have:
- A primary medical qualification from an Institution listed in the World Health Organisation Directory of Medical Schools
- IELTS or OET: you must have obtained the required scores for either
- 12 months of postgraduate clinical experience within a teaching hospital, or an approved hospital by the medical registration authorities in the appropriate country
To book your PLAB 1 exam you’ll need to have a GMC online account to submit your primary medical qualification and English language evidence onto.
Note that the required score for IELTS is 7.5 overall, with a minimum score of 7 points in each category. For the OET, it’s a grade B in each category.
PLAB exam dates and fees
Dates
To book your PLAB test, please go to your GMC online account. You’ll find the dates and locations available under the ‘My tests’ section of the page.
PLAB costs
The PLAB 1 fee is £240 from 1 April 2021
The PLAB 2 exam fee is £879 from 1 April 2021
PLAB preparation
Here are some tips to help you prepare for the PLAB tests:
- Read the PLAB Blueprint: This covers the topics and skills that you need to pass PLAB 1, as well as setting out the knowledge, skills and behaviours that you are expected to demonstrate in the exam and beyond.
- Read the Foundation Programme curriculum: The topics and skills in the PLAB Blueprint match those typically faced by doctors starting the second year of their UK Foundation Programme training.
- The PLAB blueprint is mapped against Good medical practice. You can build and test your knowledge of Good medical practice using this online tool.
- Look into practice courses: Many doctors opt to attend a course for their PLAB 1 and PLAB 2 exams.
Results and applying for GMC registration
PLAB 1 results will be available six weeks after you sit the exam under the ‘My Tests’ section of your GMC online account.
When your PLAB 2 results are available the GMC will contact you via email to give you access to your results. Again, these will be under the ‘My Tests’ section of your account.
Once you’ve passed both of your PLAB exams, you’ll be ready to apply for GMC registration. Note that you’ll have two years from when you pass your PLAB 2 test to apply – If you apply after this, then you’ll need to provide further evidence of your recent medical experience.
If you’re interested in working in the UK and would like to discuss the positions available in your specialty, and how we can assist you, please contact our team.
