What is the PLAB 1 exam?
PLAB 1 is a written exam made up of 180 multiple choice questions which you must answer within three hours. Each starts with a short scenario followed by a question. You need to choose the right answer out of the five possible answers given. You can sit part 1 in a number of countries, as well as in the UK. Have a look at the available locations and dates when you log in to GMC Online.
A guide to the PLAB test
The Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board test – known as the PLAB test – helps us to make sure doctors who qualified abroad have the right knowledge and skills to practice medicine in the UK.
Do you need to take the PLAB test?
If you graduated from a medical school outside of the UK, European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you’ll probably need to take the PLAB test. The PLAB test will check that you know and can do the same as a doctor starting the second year of their Foundation Programmed training in the UK.
What does the PLAB test involve?
There are two parts to the test. Part 1 is a written multiple choice exam, with 180 single best answer questions. Part 2 is a practical objective structured clinical exam, known as an OSCE. You’ll need to pass both parts before you can apply for registration with a license to practice medicine in the UK.
What do you need before you can take PLAB?
Before you can take the PLAB test, you’ll need to set up a GMC Online account and show us that your medical qualification and knowledge of English are acceptable. Once you’ve done that, you can book your place on part 1 of the PLAB test.
PLAB part 1
PLAB 1 is a written exam made up of 180 multiple choice questions which you must answer within three hours. Each starts with a short scenario followed by a question. You need to choose the right answer out of the five possible answers given. You can sit part 1 in a number of countries, as well as in the UK. Have a look at the available locations and dates when you log in to GMC Online.
PLAB part 2
PLAB 2 is an objective structured clinical exam. It's made up of 18 scenarios, each lasting eight minutes and aims to reflect real life settings including a mock consultation or an acute ward. Part 2 tests run throughout the year at our clinical assessment centre.
What happens after you’ve passed PLAB 1 and PLAB 2?
Once you’ve passed both parts, you can apply for registration with a licence to practise. Your application must be approved within two years of passing part 2 of the test. Once we approve your application and you gain registration you can work as a doctor in the UK.
The PLAB blueprint
The blueprint is a guide to what the exam covers and can help you to prepare. It sets out the knowledge, skills and behaviours you are expected to demonstrate in the exam and beyond. All the topics and skills needed to pass are covered in the blueprint.
The Foundation Programme curriculum
All the topics and skill areas covered by the PLAB blueprint match those typically faced by doctors starting the second year of their UK Foundation Programme training. This is how we make sure doctors who pass the PLAB test are at the same level as UK-qualified doctors.
Read the Foundation Programme curriculum.
Guidance and interactive tools
Good medical practice is our core advice to doctors on the standards we expect of them. You will be expected to demonstrate the professional values and behaviours set out in Good medical practice when you take the exam and when you practise as a doctor in the UK. The PLAB blueprint is mapped against Good medical practice.
You can build and test your knowledge of Good medical practice using:
-
Good medical practice in action interactive online tool
-
Welcome to UK practice interactive online tool.
Courses
You do not need to attend a study or coaching course to pass, but many candidates choose to do so. We don't offer courses and we do not endorse or monitor the quality of courses given by others.
