The PLAB exam – Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board assesses a candidate from outside the UK’s ability and knowledge to practice medicine in the United Kingdom. The test aims to check and prove to the GMC (General Medical Council) whether overseas doctors possess the skills required to work in the NHS (National Health Service).
In this article, we aim to discuss the different parts, entry criteria, fees, syllabus, test centres and various other facets for students looking to appear for the PLAB exam.
PLAB Exam Requirements
Following are the eligibility criteria for students who wish to appear for the PLAB exam:
- The candidate’s PMQ – Primary Medical Qualification must be awarded by an institution listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools.
- It is mandatory for the candidate to have passed the IELTS (English Language Test). A minimum 7.5 overall score is required and a minimum 7.0 score is required in the four language modules.
- A minimum of 12 months’ postgraduate medical practice is required in a teaching hospital recognised by the medical registration authorities in the respective country.
Segments Of The PLAB Exam
Before appearing for the PLAB, you need to create an account on the GMC website where you have to upload the respective documents pertaining to your Primary Medical Qualification (PMQ) and your English Language Proficiency Test scores which will further be verified by the authorities to check if you meet their requirements.
PLAB Part I – The Part I exam is an MCQ (multiple choice question) type exam and the candidate is required to answer 180 questions over the span of three hours. Each question is framed such that a short scenario is presented and the candidate has to choose the right answer from the five options provided. The Part I exam can be taken from various countries including India, Pakistan, Dubai and Egypt among others as well as from the UK.
PLAB Part II – Part II of the PLAB exam is an objective structured clinical exam that aims to assess candidates on their practical knowledge by creating simulated scenarios including a mock consultation or an acute ward. The exam includes 18 scenarios lasting 8 minutes each. You have to take the Part II exam in the UK from their clinical assessment centres.
Upon clearing both the parts, you have to apply for your license to work in the UK. Further, the approval of your application can take up to two years after which you gain registration to work as a doctor in the UK.
PLAB Exam Syllabus
Appearing for the PLAB Part I exam is easy and you can manage your preparation for that exam solely by revising the material you used for your previous medical exams.
The Part II exam takes a lot more planning and preparation in advance owing to the fact that you have to apply for your UK Visitor Visa which lasts 6 months. The prep for the Part II exam is more rigorous and in-depth as compared to the Part I exam. Plus, candidates try to clear their Part II exam in sync with their UK Visitor Visa drawing to an end so they don’t have to bear the cost of applying for the visa again.
PLAB Exam Fees
The fee for the Part I exam is £239 which equals ₹24,416 and the fee for the Part II exam is £875 which comes up to ₹89,426.
Items To Be Brought To The Exam
To gain entry to the examination centre, the authorities will require you to carry either of the identification mentioned below:
- Passport
- UK Immigration and Nationality identification document
- Home Office Travel document
- Booking Confirmation
- The booking confirmation which includes your GMC registration number needs to be mandatorily carried
PLAB Exam Results
- The PLAB Part I exam results are announced after 4 weeks of taking the exam.
- The PLAB Part II exam results are announced 2 weeks after taking the exam.
For the exact dates, make sure to check the GMC website as the timetable released includes the dates of the result declaration along with the dates of the exam.
Number Of Attempts
- The Part I exam can be attempted a total of four times. In case you are unable to clear the exam upon 4 attempts, you can retry after completing 12 months’ clinical practice or postgraduate qualification.
- You are only eligible to take the Part II exam if you have successfully cleared the Part I exam. You have four attempts at the PLAB Part II exam too. The candidate has to clear the Part II exam within 2 years of clearing the Part I exam.
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