Are you a medical student or doctor seeking opportunities in the UK? The Professional and Linguistics Assessment Board, PLAB, is your ticket to making that dream come true. By taking the PLAB exams, you prove that you have the medical and communication skills required for a doctor hoping to practice medicine in the UK.
PLAB consists of two parts: PLAB 1, a written exam, and PLAB 2, a more practical assessment of your medical knowledge. Just like every medical exam, PLAB can appear daunting, and it doesn’t help that there is so much to know about the exam and so much to prepare for. However, in this article, we’ll be offering a comprehensive guide that will provide you with all the information you need.
Is PLAB Being Replaced With MLA?
For years now, aspiring doctors within and outside the UK have been required to take PLAB before obtaining a medical license. However, the General Medical Council, GMC, introduced a new assessment program, the Medical Licensing Assessment, MLA or UKMLA. With this new assessment in place, all medical students graduating from UK universities are required to take MLA as part of their degree before they can join the medical register. The case is slightly different for international doctors or medical students who hope to practice in the UK.
For foreigners, instead of changing the entire assessment program from PLAB to MLA, the GMC proposed that the PLAB syllabus and requirements become compliant with MLA. So, international applicants will not take MLA but will continue with PLAB, with just a few modifications. This way, both international and UK-trained doctors are assessed based on the same topics and requirements.
So, starting in 2024, the PLAB blueprint will be replaced by the MLA content map. All PLAB 1 tests sat for on and after August 8th, 2024, will be based on the MLA content map, as will all the PLAB 2 tests taken on and after May 17th, 2024.
Click here to find out more about the MLA content map.
What is the PLAB Exam Pattern?
As mentioned above, the PLAB exam is divided into two categories. PLAB 1 is a written multiple-choice exam that consists of 180 questions. The time allotted to this section is 3 hours, and for each question, a short scenario will be painted, followed by a question and five possible options, of which you’ll be required to pick the best answer.
The questions are centered around a wide range of medical topics related to current best practices in the UK. This part of the exam is designed to assess your ability to apply your knowledge to the care of patients. You can see a more detailed breakdown of the questions in our PLAB 1 question bank.
Overall, you’d find that these questions test you under the following domains:
- Knowledge, skills, and performance
- Safety and Quality
- Communication, partnership, and teamwork
- Maintenance of trust with the patient
PLAB 1 also tests your medical knowledge under the following categories:
- Basic Sciences – i.e., human anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, microbiology, and pathology.
- Clinical Sciences – i.e., communication skills, medical ethics, and medical law.
- Applied Clinical Sciences – i.e., general practice, specialized medicine, etc. This section assesses your theoretical ability to diagnose, manage, and treat patients in various clinical settings.
PLAB 2 is slightly different. It is a practical objective structured clinical examination, OSCE, which is meant to assess your ability to offer quality medical care in a real-life scenario. You will be presented with 16 scenarios, each lasting eight minutes. These scenarios may be presented in an acute ward or mock consultation. Check out our PLAB 2 question bank to get familiar with past questions.
Both exams are taken separately on different dates, but you need to pass both before being eligible to join the UK medical register.
What are the Requirements for PLAB?
To register for the PLAB exams, you must meet a few essential requirements:
- Proof of Medical Degree: You must provide evidence of your medical degree from a recognized medical school. If you’re still studying, you need to submit proof of your current status as a medical student at a recognized institution.
- English Proficiency: For non-native English speakers, evidence of your English proficiency is required. This can be demonstrated through exams like IELTS or OET.
For more details about the specific eligibility criteria and documents you need to submit, refer to the official GMC website.
What Are the Dates for the PLAB Exam in 2025?
There are scheduled dates for both PLAB 1 and PLAB 2 throughout the year, and the GMC holds these exams in several locations across the UK and at some overseas locations.
Here are the scheduled dates for PLAB 1 in 2025:
- 13th February 2025
- 22nd May 2025
- 7th August 2025
- 6th November 2025
Find more about the exam locations here.
PLAB 2 exams are held throughout the year, so you can schedule a date once you’ve gotten your PLAB 1 results. You are advised to schedule a date as early as possible because the demand for PLAB 2 is higher, and the exam is held in only 2 locations, both in Manchester. Click here to find out more about the location of the two clinical assessment centers.
How Much Do Both PLAB Exams Cost?
PLAB exams are a significant financial commitment, so it’s essential to be aware of the fees:
- PLAB 1: From April 1, 2025, the fee will be £268.
- PLAB 2: From April 1, 2025, the fee will be £981.
Cancellation Fees:
- PLAB 1:
- Cancellation more than 42 days before the exam: £26.80 (10% of the fee)
- Cancellation less than 42 days before the exam: 100% of the fee (£268)
- PLAB 2:
- Cancellation more than 42 days before the exam: £98.10 (10% of the fee)
- Cancellation between 42 and 28 days before the exam: £490.50 (50% of the fee)
- Cancellation less than 28 days before the exam: 100% of the fee (£981)
Conclusion
While the PLAB exam can feel overwhelming, it is completely achievable with the right preparation. At CanadaQBank, we offer a range of resources to help you pass the PLAB exam on your first try. Whether you’re preparing for PLAB 1 or PLAB 2, our study materials are designed to help you succeed.
Good luck on your journey toward becoming a doctor in the UK!