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Exam Date: August 17, 2025
The PLAB exam is a two-part assessment conducted by the General Medical Council (GMC) to evaluate the medical knowledge and clinical skills of international medical graduates (IMGs) seeking to practice medicine in the UK. The exam ensures that candidates possess the necessary competencies to work safely and effectively within the UK healthcare system.
Eligibility Criteria
For International Medical Graduates (IMGs):
• Primary Medical Qualification (PMQ): Must hold a medical degree from a university listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools.
• English Language Proficiency: Achieve the required scores in one of the following:
o IELTS Academic: Overall score of 7.5, with a minimum of 7.0 in each component.
o OET (Medicine): Grade B or higher in each component.
• Postgraduate Clinical Experience: At least 12 months of supervised postgraduate clinical experience in a hospital setting.
• GMC Registration: Create a GMC Online account and submit the necessary documents for verification.
For UK Medical Graduates:
• Medical Degree: Graduation from a medical school accredited by the GMC.
• English Language Proficiency: Typically assessed during medical education; however, additional testing may be required.
• Clinical Experience: Completion of the Foundation Year 1 (F1) training.
Exam Pattern Overview
Part 1: PLAB 1
• Format: Multiple-choice questions (MCQs).
• Number of Questions: 180 Single Best Answer (SBA) questions.
• Duration: 3 hours.
• Content: Based on the Medical Licensing Assessment (MLA) content map, covering areas such as:
o Reproductive Health
o Renal and Urology
o Neurosciences and Senses
o Musculoskeletal
o Mental Health
o Gastrointestinal
o Endocrine, Metabolic, and Clinical Haematology
o Child and Adolescent Health
o Cardiorespiratory
o Ethics and Other
• Scoring: Each correct answer earns one mark; total score reflects the number of correct responses.
• Passing Score: Determined using the Angoff method to ensure consistency over time.
Part 2: PLAB 2
• Format: Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE).
• Number of Stations: 18 clinical scenarios.
• Duration: Approximately 3 hours.
• Content: Simulated patient encounters assessing clinical skills, communication, and professionalism.
• Location: Conducted in Manchester, UK.
Detailed Syllabus
The PLAB exam assesses knowledge and skills in the following areas:
• Clinical Medicine: Diagnosis and management of common medical conditions.
• Clinical Pharmacology: Understanding of drug mechanisms, indications, and side effects.
• Medical Ethics: Application of ethical principles in medical practice.
• Communication Skills: Effective interaction with patients and healthcare teams.
• Professionalism: Adherence to professional standards and behavior.
• Clinical Procedures: Competence in performing common medical procedures.
Understand the Exam Format: Familiarize yourself with the structure and content areas of both PLAB 1 and PLAB 2.
Utilize Official Resources: Refer to the GMC MLA content map for a detailed syllabus.
Practice with Mock Exams: Engage in practice questions and mock OSCE scenarios to simulate exam conditions.
Join Study Groups: Collaborate with peers to discuss complex topics and share resources.
Focus on Communication Skills: PLAB 2 heavily evaluates communication; practice with actors or in front of peers.
Time Management: Develop strategies to manage time effectively during both written and practical exams.
Stay Updated: Regularly check the GMC website for any changes in exam patterns or requirements.
The PLAB 1 exam is conducted four times a year:
• February
• May
• August
• November
Booking deadlines for overseas exams are approximately six weeks prior to the exam date, while UK bookings close two weeks before the exam.
PLAB 1: Candidates can attempt PLAB 1 up to four times.
PLAB 2: If you fail PLAB 2 four times, you must retake PLAB 1 before attempting PLAB 2 again.
Yes, passing both PLAB 1 and PLAB 2 allows you to apply for full registration with the GMC, enabling you to work as a doctor in the UK.
PLAB 1 is available in various countries, including India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Egypt, and Dubai. The exam is also conducted in several UK cities such as London, Manchester, and Edinburgh.
Yes, candidates are allowed a maximum of four attempts for PLAB 1.
