PLAB Exam tests your capacity to utilize your information to supply persistent care will be assessed within the exam. It doesn’t survey your capacity to review and recount data. Questions concern current UK best hones and gear that’s habitually on hand in UK clinics. You must react to the questions based on distributed prove, not on the traditions in your range.PLAB Exam tests your capacity to utilize your information to supply persistent care will be assessed within the exam. It doesn’t survey your capacity to review and recount data. Questions concern current UK best hones and gear that’s habitually on hand in UK clinics. You must react to the questions based on distributed prove, not on the traditions in your range.
Highlights
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Purpose | Assessment for foreign medical professionals seeking to practice in the UK |
| Conducting Authority | General Medical Council (GMC) |
| Exam Levels | PLAB 1 and PLAB 2 |
| PLAB 1 Format | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
| PLAB 2 Format | Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) |
| Eligibility | Medical qualification recognized by GMC |
| Test Locations | Various international centers |
| Language Proficiency | English language proficiency required |
| Passing Score | Varies for PLAB 1 and PLAB 2 |
| Validity of Exam Scores | PLAB 1: 2 years, PLAB 2: 3 years |
| Exam Frequency | Multiple times a year |
| Importance | Essential step for medical registration in the UK |
| Application Process | Online registration and scheduling |
| Exam Fee | Varies based on exam and location |
| Preparation Resources | GMC resources, study materials, coaching |
Important Dates
| Exam date | Overseas closing date | UK closing date |
| 25 May 2023 | 13 April 2023 | 11 May 2023 |
| 10 August 2023 | 29 June 2023 | 27 July 2023 |
| 2 November 2023 | 21 September 2023 | 19 October 2023 |
| 15 February 2024 | 4 January 2024 | 1 February 2024 |
PLAB Exam Centres and Countries
- Bangalore
- Chennai
- Hyderabad
- Kolkata
- Mumbai
- New Delhi
Countries
- India
- Egypt
- Bulgaria
- Dubai
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for the PLAB (Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board) exam vary based on whether you’re applying for PLAB 1 or PLAB 2. Here’s a breakdown of the eligibility criteria for each exam:
PLAB 1 Eligibility:
- Medical Qualification: You need to hold a primary medical qualification that’s acceptable to the General Medical Council (GMC). This qualification should be awarded by an institution that’s listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools.
PLAB 2 Eligibility:
- Medical Qualification: You need to meet the same criteria as for PLAB 1, holding a primary medical qualification that’s acceptable to the GMC.
- Passing PLAB 1: You must have passed PLAB 1 within the eligibility time limit. At the time of writing, this limit is two years from the date of passing PLAB 1.
- English Language Proficiency: If your primary medical qualification was not taught and examined in English, you need to provide evidence of your English language skills. Accepted tests include IELTS, OET, or an approved English language test.
- Internship/Residency: Some candidates may need to have completed at least 12 months’ internship or postgraduate clinical experience in medicine.
Syllabus
The syllabus for PLAB 1 and PLAB 2 is usually based on the standard medical textbooks used in UK medical schools. Students can also refer to the GMC booklet ‘Advice to Candidates’. There are separate booklets for Part 1 and Part 2.
| Test | Fees in GBP | Fees in INR |
| PLAB 1 | 239 | 24k |
| PLAB 2 | 875 | 89k |
Exam Pattern
The PLAB test consists of 2 parts :
- PLAB 1 – This exam is conducted in MCQ format consisting of 180 questions that have to be solved in 3 hours.
- PLAB 2 – this part comprises an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) which consists of 18 clinical stations. Each station is 18 minutes long with 2 minutes of reading time. The exam is set at the level of competence of a doctor at the start of Foundation Year 2 (F2) in the Foundation Programme.
FAQs
The cost of PLAB 1 is 24,416 and PLAB 2 is 89,426.
In order to be eligible to take PLAB 1 exam, you need to have passed the final exam which awards you that degree. You don’t need to have the decorative dipoma at hand. You need to have your results out that you have passed the final exams for your PMQ degree.
Many individuals struggle to answer all 180 questions within the 3-hour time limit. In 2019, roughly 64% of individuals who took the PLAB Part 1 passed. For Part 2 the percentage was a bit higher at 66%. To improve the odds of passing this exam, individuals should use proper time management.
Whilst comparing the above information might make one think that the USMLE exams are easier because they have higher pass rates than the PLAB exam, the fact that the Step 1 and 2 CK exams both provide a numeric score that plays a big part in your strength as a future applicant.
