When you choose to undertake a medical profession in another country, you will always be required to take examinations to demonstrate your clinical understanding and practical abilities. The Professional and Linguistic Assessment Boards, or PLAB tests, are one route to getting a job in the United Kingdom.

The PLAB test (Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board) ensures that doctors who received their training outside of the UK have the necessary understanding and abilities to perform healthcare in the UK. The PLAB test is the primary way for international medical grads to show that they have the competence and expertise required to practice medicine in the United Kingdom.

The exam is split into two halves. PLAB 1 is an online test, whereas PLAB 2 is a clinical examination. You can seek a licence to practise medicine in the UK and be a legal healthcare professional after passing both phases.

What is the PLAB exam?

The PLAB test, or Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board, evaluates international medical graduates' learning and abilities in order to properly practise healthcare in the United Kingdom. It determines if you have sufficient knowledge as a doctor beginning in the second year of foundation programme training in the United Kingdom.

This is a two-part exam that should be repeated every two years. You must pass PLAB part 2 within two years of passing PLAB part 1.

After passing both parts of the PLAB, you can apply for a licence to practise medicine in the United Kingdom.

Who is required to sit the exam?

To become a qualified doctor in the United Kingdom, every International Medical Graduate (IMG) must complete the PLAB test. Anyone who has studied outside of the United Kingdom, the European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland is excluded. If taken away from the UK, the PLAB exams are administered by the British Council, on behalf of the GMC.

Simply defined, the examination ensures that doctors who received their training outside of the United Kingdom have the necessary understanding and abilities to practice medicine in the United Kingdom. You'll almost certainly need to take the PLAB test if you graduated from a medical school outside of the United Kingdom, the European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland. The PLAB test will verify that you understand and can perform the same tasks as a doctor beginning their second year of Foundation Programme training in the United Kingdom.

Entry requirements for the PLAB test

Every student studying medicine overseas must create an account with the GMC in order to take the exam. You must demonstrate that your knowledge and English abilities are sufficient. This can be accomplished by submitting a linguistic competence exam or taking an online GMC test.

After that, you can register for the PLAB part 1 exam.

You must first create a GMC Online account and demonstrate that your medical qualifications and English language skills are satisfactory before taking the PLAB test. Your data will be validated, and if it matches the GMC standards, you will be able to register for the PLAB test's first section.

What does the PLAB test entail?

The test is divided into two halves. Part 1 consists of 180 single-best-answer problems in a textual multiple-choice format. Part 2 is an OSCE or objectively standardized clinical examination. You must pass both portions before you may apply for certification with a licence to practice medicine in the UK.

PLAB 1

PLAB 1 is concerning the implementation of medical expertise in clinical practice. The queries are more diagnostic and management-oriented. After spending so very many years learning medicine, you will undoubtedly possess the essential expertise to succeed.

Part 1 of the PLAB is an online test with 180 multiple-choice questions that must be answered in three hours. Each problem starts with a brief clinical narrative that will help you grasp the problem quickly and clearly. You must choose the correct response (answer) from the five options after reading the question. You must select the correct answer from the five options provided. Part 1 can be taken in a number of nations, including the United Kingdom. When you sign in to GMC Online, have a look at the accessible venues and dates.

You can find out more details about PLAB 1 here.

The test is held four times a year in the United Kingdom and in a variety of other countries. To find out where the examinations are being offered and if they are still accessible, create a GMC Online account and go to the 'My Tests' feature.

A restricted number of examination spots are available, and they are in scarce supply. Demand is continuously checked over the year to guarantee that access is distributed equitably and appropriately.

Exam schedules in the coming, as well as the UK and international closure dates, are shown here. Please keep in mind that the information below can only be used as a reference, and GMC maintains the right to close exam reservations earlier if space and demand need it. You can take this exam up to four times, in case of failure.

PLAB 2

PLAB section two is a pragmatic clinical test that takes place at GMC medical evaluation locations around the UK over the course of the year. There are 18 questions in all, each spanning 8 minutes. Your job for the next 8 minutes is to examine the individual and establish an appropriate diagnosis. The exam's goal is to see how well you can apply what you've learned to real-life settings and circumstances involving patient care. This isn't an exam in which you'll be assessed on your ability to recall and regurgitate facts.

There are a few examination sites in Cambridge and London, with the primary test facility in Manchester.

More about the PLAB 2 examination can be found here. You may repeat PLAB 2 up to four times if you fail it the first time.

The cost of completing both PLAB 1 and PLAB 2

Because part one is online, it is only £240.

Since part 2 should be completed in person in the United Kingdom, the cost is greater: £875

The PLAB test would cost you around £1120 in full.

Furthermore, you may discontinue your PLAB part 1 test for free via the website of the General Medical Council.

Nevertheless, you will be charged £120 if you withdraw from the PLAB part 2 test.

What should you and shouldn't you bring to the PLAB test?

Apart from the usual examination requirements such as pencils, erasers or sharpeners, you must also bring a form of identification with you. This can be your UK driver's license, EU identity card, passport, or any other formal document that can certify your identity.

You are not allowed to bring smartwatches, calculators, coats, telephones, or other electronic devices and bags to the examination centre.

Steps to take after passing the PLAB test

After passing both stages, you can file for certification and a practising permit. Your request must be granted within two years after completing part 2 of the examination. You can practice as a doctor in the UK when the GMC approves your request and you are registered.