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PLAB 1 and PLAB 2 Exam Details 2025

PLAB 1 and PLAB 2 Exam Details 2025

The Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) is the main route for international medical graduates who lack a relevant European qualification but are seeking to migrate to the United Kingdom to practice medicine. It tests if candidates have the necessary skills and knowledge to interact with UK citizens and ensures that all who seek to practice meet the high standards required to provide safe and effective patient care within the NHS (National Health Service).

The exam is organized by the General Medical Council of the United Kingdom, and it takes inspiration from the Medical Licensing Assessment (MLA) content map to design the questions and stations used to test candidates. The MLA content map identifies the core knowledge, skills, and behaviors needed for UK practice. The realignment of the PLAB exam creates a balanced field for doctors trained in the UK and those trained abroad. PLAB also follows the GMC’s good medical practice syllabus, which lists the core guiding principles all doctors seeking to practice in the UK must follow. They are:

  • Knowledge, skills, and performance
  • Safety and Quality
  • Communication, partnership, and teamwork
  • Maintaining trust

Those who pass will do so secure in the fact that they possess the same depth of knowledge of British hospital ethics and culture as a native doctor. PLAB exams are divided into two, PLAB 1 and PLAB 2. Passing both is necessary to obtain GMC registration, which is a prerequisite for practicing within the UK healthcare system.

PLAB 1

The PLAB 1 is a written exam in a multiple-choice format with 180 SBAs (One Hundred Eighty Single Best Answer questions with five options and one SBA) lasting 3 hours. The exam is an applied knowledge test that goes beyond your ability to memorize and recite facts; it tests if you can apply that knowledge when dealing with patients. The questions require you to be familiar with the current best practices and equipment routinely available in UK hospitals. You’ll need to be aware of the UK’s best practices and published evidence to answer the questions and not according to how things are done in your local arrangements.

According to the GMC, the exam assumes that you have as much knowledge as a doctor appointed to a Foundation Programme Year 2 (F2) role and asks questions covering any common, important, or acute conditions (those common in emergency departments) and the management of long-term conditions seen in primary care. PLAB is offered in select locations in the UK and a number of countries around the world, including Australia, Canada, Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Pakistan, Nigeria, and Sri Lanka.

PLAB 2

PLAB 2 is an Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE); you are presented with 16 clinical stations and are given 8 minutes to go through each of them, meeting the actor, simulating a patient, and achieving the task required. You have 2 minutes to go through the instructions and patient information outside each room before you enter the exam cubicle and complete the task outlined. There will be a timer that announces when to move on.

Unlike PLAB 1, PLAB 2 is only available in Manchester and is offered year-round. It tests your clinical knowledge, skills, and behaviors around patients. Your ability to apply this knowledge to the care of patients will be assessed against three domains: Data gathering, technical and assessment skills, Interpersonal skills, and Clinical management skills. This exam is designed to see how you interact with patients and if you can balance maintaining a professional persona while expressing empathy. It also checks how you perform maneuvers and physical examinations on patients, whether you sought consent, and properly introduced yourself. Some stations may require you to write a prescription or consult through a phone call.

Requirements to register for the exam

To qualify for the exam, you must meet three criteria. First, you must have a primary medical qualification endorsed by the GMC. This could be a degree from a medical school listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools or an equivalent qualification. Secondly, you must demonstrate your grasp of the English language by passing the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Occupational English Test (OET) exam. The minimum score required for PLAB is an overall score of 7.5 and a minimum score of 7.0 in each of the four language skills for the IELTS exam or a Grade B in the Medicine OET exam. Finally, you must have completed atleast one year of internship training in the country you obtained your degree with atleast 3 months in Medicine and three in surgery.

How to schedule the exam

Before you can qualify for PLAB 2, you must have completed PLAB 1. PLAB 1 is offered only four times a year in February, May, August, and November, and exam places are limited and in high demand. To secure an appointment, you must open an account on the GMC website by filling in the requested personal information. When completed, you’ll receive an email asking you to verify your account, and then you’re in. Under the ‘My Test’ section, you’ll be able to choose a date and location from the available selection; we recommend you start your bookings early to ensure you get the date and time you prefer.  To have your application filed and your preferred date and place secured, you have to pay the required exam fees. For PLAB 1 exam, that is £255, while PLAB 2 costs £934; the exact amount might vary depending on your home country.

If you’ve secured a booking at a UK or EU location, you’ll receive confirmation of your venue address within 7 days of your exam. This information will be sent to you by the GMC-approved supplier VICTVS, which is responsible for delivering and invigilating UK and EU-based PLAB 1 exams on behalf of the GMC. If your booking is for an exam outside of the UK and EU, you’ll receive details of the venue address directly from the British Council.

As mentioned before, PLAB 2 can only be taken after you complete PLAB 1. Available dates are shown on your GMC account but may be limited due to the high demand for the PLAB 2 exam.

Tips when registering

  • Before selecting a date, ensure you have your travel logistics sorted out. Securing your visa and all the necessary documentation required of you is of utmost importance.
  • For PLAB 1, begin your search for a location and date early enough that spots will still be available. For PLAB 2, look for a date that is free of personal and professional commitments, as you may be occupied for up to a week, accounting for travel and rest time.
  • If you fall ill or cannot go for the exam due to circumstances, you can contact the GMC, and they will provide you with a full refund of your fee but may ask you to provide some evidence, depending on the situation.
  • When selecting a date, you should give yourself enough time to prepare for the exam. Most experts recommended at least 6 months of dedicated revision guided by a well-constructed study schedule.
  • A question bank such as the CanadaQBank for PLAB 1 and PLAB 2 will be an invaluable ally in your preparation for the PLAB exams. It covers essential clinical knowledge and offers real-time feedback on your performance per test, making it an ideal preparation tool for both parts of PLAB. The questions have been continuously updated to reflect the latest changes to the PLAB exams. You can generate customizable tests that accurately reflect the real exam or tests that quiz you on the areas you struggle with most.
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PLAB Guide 2025

PLAB Guide 2024

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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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!

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Ultimate Guide to the PLAB 1 Exam

The UK beckons, its hospitals humming with opportunity. But before you don your stethoscope and join the ranks of its esteemed doctors, one hurdle stands tall: the PLAB 1 exam. This isn’t just any test; it’s the gateway to a new chapter in your medical career, a chance to hone your skills on some of the world’s most advanced healthcare stages. But fear not, intrepid medical graduates! This comprehensive guide is your roadmap to PLAB 1 mastery, packed with insights, strategies, and the confidence to conquer every question and claim your place in the UK medical landscape.

Unveiling the PLAB 1 Exam: A Deeper Dive

Unpacking PLAB 1: An Overview

The PLAB 1 exam unfolds as a written odyssey divided into two parts. The first is a journey through 180 best-of-five Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) designed to gauge your aptitude in managing clinical scenarios akin to an FY2 doctor in UK hospitals. The second has 42 Extended Matching Items (EMIs) testing your ability to apply medical knowledge to clinical scenarios.

The challenge lies not just in the quantity but in the demand for a nuanced understanding of clinical knowledge.

Decoding the Question Format

Each question crafts a clinical vignette, vividly depicting patient demographics, presenting complaints, medical history, and relevant exam findings. Your role? To decipher probable diagnoses, choose appropriate investigations, and outline management strategies. Mastery of this format is your key to navigating the intricate terrain of PLAB 1 questions.

PLAB 1 Curriculum: The Roadmap

Aligned seamlessly with the Foundation Programme Curriculum, PLAB 1 touches on general medicine, surgery, gynecology, obstetrics, psychiatry, general practice, and medical ethics. The wisdom lies in focusing your revision on bedrock concepts, as the exam consciously avoids delving into specialist-level content.

Navigating Eligibility and GMC Online

Before plunging into the exam whirlpool, ensure you tick the eligibility boxes. PLAB 1 is exclusively for medical graduates with an acceptable Primary Medical Qualification (PMQ). It would be best to meet the good character and fitness to practice requirements.

Your gateway to PLAB 1 bookings and essential account management lies in creating a GMC Online account. Online application through the GMC website involves submitting documents, paying fees, and providing references. The process can take several months, so it’s crucial to start well in advance of your desired test date. Check the General Medical Council (GMC) website for the latest list of eligible qualifications.

English Proficiency: A Prerequisite

Demonstrate your linguistic prowess by passing the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic test with a score of 7.0 in all bands. Specific score benchmarks apply, necessitating thorough preparation. If your medical alma mater echoes English, let your degree speak as the eloquent proof.

Booking Your PLAB 1 Odyssey

With English language evidence endorsed, embark on booking your PLAB 1 expedition. The current financial toll for this venture rests at £255, a sum payable through international-friendly debit or credit cards.

Navigating PLAB 1 Logistics

Dates and Venues: The Scheduling Saga

PLAB 1 dances to a quarterly beat, gracing both UK and international centers, with applications opening in February and August of each year. Keep your compass aligned with the GMC website, a treasure trove of exam dates and venues. The UK provides a home ground with venues in Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff, Edinburgh, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Oxford, and Sheffield. Internationally, choose from 24 locations spread across 15 countries.

Deciphering Results and the Art of Passing

Results unveil themselves approximately six weeks post-exam, accessible through your GMC Online account. Each MCQ in Part 1 carries one mark, and a minimum of 114 marks (63%) is required to pass. While the EMIs are scored on a scale of 0-5, and a minimum total score of 180 is necessary to pass Part 2. The passing score, a product of the meticulous Angoff method, reflects the competence anticipated from doctors entering Foundation Training. It is best to aim for the sweet spot within the 60-65% range.

The Passing Rate Enigma

The passing rate, a chameleon in constant flux, responds to factors like resource accessibility, candidate influx, and the unpredictable dance with external elements such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the past five years, the average passing rate stands at 69.4%, a figure poised for further evolution with the impending alignment with UK MLA requirements in 2024.

Strategies for Triumph

Art of Exam Techniques

Unlock your potential with strategic insights:

  • Identifying Weaknesses and Focusing on Targeted Revision: Analyze your strengths and weaknesses through practice questions and mock exams. Prioritize revising areas where you struggle, but don’t neglect your strengths entirely.
  • Time Management Mastery: Create a realistic study schedule that balances dedicated study time with breaks and other commitments. Utilize tools like calendars and planners to stay organized and on track. Don’t linger on challenges.
  • Mock Exams and Self-Assessment Techniques: Regularly take mock exams under timed conditions to simulate the real exam experience and identify areas for improvement. Analyze your performance on mock exams and use them to refine your study approach. CanadaQBank is a platform that offers all these features to aspiring doctors.
  • Building Mental Resilience and Managing Stress: The PLAB 1 can be stressful. Practice relaxation techniques like meditation or deep breathing exercises to manage anxiety and maintain focus during exam preparation and the exam itself.
  • Utilizing Different Learning Resources: Diversify your learning methods to cater to your preferred learning style. Textbooks, online platforms, video lectures, and practice questions all have their strengths.
  • Read the Question thoroughly: Discern essential information swiftly as you watch for trigger words. Remember, nuances matter, so try to pick up on subtle language cues.
  • Avoid Blank Answers: Tentative answers are better than blanks; revise if time permits.

Remember a thorough understanding of the PLAB 1 structure, content, and expectations is crucial for developing a successful study plan and tackling the exam with confidence.

Tips for Specific Question Types

  • Best-of-Five (MCQs): Carefully read the question stem and all answer choices before selecting the most likely answer. Eliminate obviously incorrect options and rely on your medical knowledge to make an informed guess if necessary.
  • Extended Matching Items (EMIs): These questions present clinical scenarios with multiple options for diagnosis, investigation, and treatment. Read the scenario carefully, analyze the information, and choose the most appropriate response based on your medical knowledge and clinical reasoning skills.
  • Station Tests (OSCEs): These practical assessments involve demonstrating your clinical skills in simulated scenarios. Practice role-playing with colleagues or instructors to refine your communication skills, physical examination techniques, and decision-making abilities.

PLAB in the UK MLA Era

PLAB and UK MLA: A Symbiotic Coexistence

As the curtain rises on the UK Medical Licensing Assessment (UK MLA), PLAB holds its ground for International Medical Graduates (IMGs) in 2024. While the exam structure undergoes minimal metamorphosis, the focus of the quality assurance process ensures alignment with the MLA content map. The PLAB blueprint might witness tweaks, but your current PLAB preparation remains a steadfast companion.

The Final Stretch

Crafting a Journey Beyond PLAB 1

Success isn’t merely about accumulating knowledge; it’s a tapestry woven with strategic preparation threads. Stay attuned to updates, master your time, and step into the PLAB 1 arena with unwavering confidence. Your passage into the UK healthcare system commences here. May the journey be as enriching as the destination. Best of luck!

Resources and Information Sources

  • The GMC website provides comprehensive information about the PLAB 1, including application forms, eligibility criteria, and past exam papers.
  • Reputable online resources like CanadaQBank offer preparation materials, practice questions, and mock exams. Be sure to utilize them as you prepare to write your exams.
  • Consider attending PLAB preparation courses or joining online study groups for additional support and guidance.
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List of Countries Accepting PLAB

PLAB stands for the Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board, and it is a test administered by the General Medical Council (GMC) of Great Britain to determine if you have the clinical knowledge and skills to treat and communicate with their citizens.

The PLAB can be a strenuous exam, but it has its perks, and people who pass it are well on their way to being granted a medical license. A big advantage of passing your PLAB is that it is also accepted in other countries, especially those that are part of the Commonwealth.

So, in this article, we’ll look at the different stages of PLAB in some of these countries and how you can use your PLAB results to immigrate, as well as some of the processes to do so.

PLAB

PLAB is a two-step exam separated into PLAB 1 and PLAB 2.

PLAB 1 consists of 180 multiple-choice questions where you have to select the best answer under a time limit of 3 hours. PLAB 1 tests your ability to apply clinical knowledge based on proper patient care. A clinical scenario is described briefly before the question is given. The topics covered in the multiple-choice questions include basic medical sciences, obstetrics, gynecology, pediatrics, pathology, pharmacology, microbiology, and general clinical medicine. The pass mark for PLAB 1 varies but lies in the range of 120-126.

PLAB 2 is an objective structured clinical examination that lasts for about three hours. The exam will have you moving around 18 stations, spending 8 minutes at each unit. The goal is to test your information-gathering skills, how you interpret the information and draw differential diagnoses; PLAB 2 also tests your interpersonal skills.

To learn more about PLAB, take a trip down to CanadaQBank.

Countries Accepting PLAB

According to the GMC, here are some of the countries that accept PLAB:

  1. New Zealand
  2. Australia
  3. Ireland
  4. Qatar
  5. Sri Lanka

New Zealand

In addition to having your PLAB result, New Zealand requires you to pass their English Language requirements, hold a primary medical qualification from a school listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools, and your PLAB result must not be older than five years. Finally, you must also write and pass the New Zealand Registration Exam (NZREX) clinical. It is an exam similar to PLAB 2, which assesses history taking, clinical examination, investigation, management, and clinical research.

Passing the NZREX clinical allows you to be registered by the Medical Council of New Zealand, which is required for every doctor who wants to practice in Aotearoa, New Zealand. You should also have at least one year of postgraduate experience, as it will help you with the exam. If you don’t do it before the exam, you must undergo one year of clinical supervision.

Ireland

The Pre-registration examination system(PRES) is Ireland’s test to see if Immigrant Medical Graduates(IMG) can practice medicine there. People with a pass result for PLAB 1 dated within three years of applying can submit their result as an alternative to the PRES level 2 exam, which assesses a doctor’s clinical knowledge. They will be eligible to advance to the PRES level 3 exam, which evaluates communication, interpretation, and clinical skills through an Objective Structured Clinical Examination.

Australia

Australia has a Competent Authority Pathway that allows immigrating doctors provisional registration with the Medical Board of Australia. This means that there are some foreign authorities that the Board trusts to assess the clinical skill and knowledge of IMGs, so if you have a primary medical qualification awarded by a university recognized by both the World Directory of Medical Schools and the Australian Medical Board and have completed a minimum of 12 months of post-training experience either in Australia or in a country with a trusted system.

Other countries that accept PLAB include:

  • Saudi Arabia
  • Dubai
  • United Kingdom
  • Scotland
  • Canada

Working Abroad After Acing PLAB

Here’s a deep dive into the processes of getting work in different countries after passing your PLAB.

  1. United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia: For the dazzling realms of UAE and Saudi Arabia, having passed the PLAB exam, obtaining GMC registration, and practicing medicine in the UK for a year or more opens doors to potential practice in these nations.

 

  1. United Kingdom (UK): After passing the PLAB exam, your journey continues with a two-year Foundation Programme, followed by specialized training. Upon completing your training, you become eligible to apply for a medical license to practice in the UK.

 

  1. Canada: The Great White North allures medical practitioners with PLAB success, GMC registration, completion of General Practitioner training, and 3-5 years of relevant UK experience. Meeting these prerequisites might grant you eligibility for licensure through the Medical Council of Canada (MCC). However, like other destinations, additional criteria such as the MCC Qualifying Examination (MCCQE) or an approved residency program may apply.

 

  1. Australia: Aiming to practice medicine in Australia? Having passed the PLAB exam and obtained GMC registration while gaining a year’s experience in the UK, you may qualify for registration with the Medical Board of Australia. Nonetheless, keep in mind that additional criteria, such as the Australian Medical Council (AMC) examination or an approved internship, might also be necessary.

 

  1. New Zealand: If New Zealand beckons, having passed the PLAB exam, obtained GMC registration, and garnered over three years of experience in the UK opens up the possibility to apply for medical practice in this stunning country. Interestingly, if you’ve only tackled PLAB 1 and are eyeing New Zealand, you can skip part 1 of their qualifying exam and directly proceed to part 2. Success in part 2 leads to a year of supervised practice, allowing you to register as a practitioner in New Zealand.

Conclusion

As you set your sights on global horizons, remember that each country’s medical licensing process is different, with each presenting unique opportunities and challenges. So, to ensure a smooth journey, you need to do meticulous research and understand the specific requirements set by your destination country. That’s why we’re here at CanadaQBank.

At CanadaQBank, there are numerous educational resources you can use to prepare for your PLAB Part 1. There are over 3,000 MCQs you can choose from. What’s even better is that these MCQs cover different parts of medicine like Pediatrics, Emergency Medical, Respiratory Medicine, and General Surgery.

So, seize the chance to spread your wings and let your medical knowledge shine on the international stage. The world awaits your healing hands!

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What to Do If You Fail the PLAB 1 Exam

PLAB 1 is an exam that must be taken before you can become a licensed doctor in the UK. So, it’s unsurprising that the exam is challenging, and sometimes people fail it. But just because you fail the exam doesn’t mean it’s over.

However, we know that experiencing failure, especially when it comes to an exam that is part of your goal and dream, can be really painful. You’ll probably hear comforting phrases like “You’ll be okay” or “Try hard next time” countless times. But it’s important to move beyond those words and explore your options after failing the PLAB exam.

That’s why in this article, we’ll delve into what you should do if you fail the PLAB Exam.

Allow yourself to grieve the failure

Give yourself a break and take a few days off to release the sadness. Engage in activities that bring you joy, whether binge-watching your favourite TV series, sleeping, travelling, playing games, or spending time with loved ones who genuinely care about you.

You should avoid comparing yourself to others, as everyone has unique battles and follows a different path in life. Comparisons will only increase your negative feelings and hinder your progress.

Sometimes, you may contemplate giving up on this journey entirely, but we urge you not to. You are so close to achieving your GMC registration. Remember the reasons that motivated you to embark on this journey in the first place.

Remember that help is always available to you. Don’t hesitate to reach out and ask for support when you need it. CanadaQBank has the right resources to help you pass that exam.

Once you’ve given yourself enough time to come to terms with the results, shift your focus toward the next steps.

Reassess your skills

Since you failed the exam, there’s probably something you didn’t do right. There’s no reason to feel bad about it; instead, try and find out why.

It’s possible that during your first attempt, you may have rushed into booking the exam without considering the amount of preparation time you would need. For your next attempt, it’s important to establish a structured and well-thought-out study plan that you can diligently follow. Give yourself ample time to study, and don’t underestimate the importance of thorough preparation.

Many people mistakenly believe that memorizing past questions alone will guarantee a passing score. However, smart studying goes beyond memorization. It’s crucial to not only understand the questions in the question banks but also comprehend the provided answers. Take the time to grasp why the correct answer is correct and why the incorrect answers are incorrect. This deeper understanding will greatly benefit you during the actual exam.

Also, effective time management is extremely vital. Practice under simulated exam conditions, using the resources on CanadaQBank, to create an ideal test environment. This will help you develop efficient work habits and ensure you can manage your time effectively during the exam.

Study and prepare better

Studying better means different things to different people. So, it’s best to find a study style that works well for you. This is because each person has their unique study method, so stick to the best approach for you. However, ensure you thoroughly understand the concepts and review your materials multiple times. Instead of relying on memorization, strive to comprehend the explanations and guidelines provided.

Practice solving multiple-choice questions (MCQs) on CanadaQBank to reinforce your understanding. As you practice and revise, pay attention to the topics where you feel less confident and create notes to improve your grasp on them.

Mock tests play a crucial role in your preparation. Once you have completed sufficient revisions and practiced MCQs, take timed mock tests. These tests will help you manage your time effectively, which is essential for the exam. Then print out OMR (Optical Mark Recognition) sheets and simulate the exam environment. While practicing, set a goal to read each question thoroughly, deduce your answer, and mark it within a minute. Remember that every second counts!

Effective time management is the key to succeeding in this exam. Since there is no negative marking, it is important to attempt all the questions within the given time frame. With 180 questions to answer in 180 minutes, the task can be challenging, especially when the questions are lengthy. Your practice with OMR sheets will prove beneficial in this regard. Exam centers are equipped with clocks to help you keep track of time, or you can request periodic updates from the examiners.

A week before the exam, you will receive the exact location of the exam center. You should plan your trip in advance, especially if you are unfamiliar with the city. Also, carefully read the instructions provided in the email and remember to bring HB pencils, an eraser, printouts of necessary documents, and your ID proof.

Finally, before the exam, ensure that you eat a nutritious meal, drink enough water and, most importantly, remain calm. If this is your second attempt, leave any lingering disappointment from your previous result. You must trust in yourself and your preparation, knowing that you have what it takes to excel in this attempt.

Take the exam again

Obviously, this should be your first line of thought when you fail the exam. You may not want to take it immediately, but once you see the failure, reassess what you must do to pass.

In the event of failing PLAB Part 1, you have the option to schedule a retake of the exam, as long as you still meet all the necessary requirements, such as having a valid IELTS score. Note that you are allowed a maximum of four attempts to pass the exam.

If you have already attempted the exam four times and were unsuccessful, there is still a final opportunity available. You can apply for one last attempt by providing evidence of additional learning over a period of 12 months and submitting an application to the General Medical Council (GMC).

Conclusion

Understand the questions and answers thoroughly, avoiding memorization. Create a timeline for daily question practice and allocate time for review. Use reference books for clarification. Prioritize time management and conduct mock exams in realistic settings. Stay focused and positive throughout your preparation.

To learn more about PLAB take a trip down to CanadaQBank.

At CanadaQBank there are several educational resources you can make use of to prepare for your PLAB Part 1. There are over 3,000 MCQs you can choose from. What’s even better is that these MCQs cover different parts of medicine like Pediatrics, Respiratory Medicine, Emergency Medicine, and General Surgery.

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What is the PLAB exam all about?

If you studied outside the United Kingdom or European Economic Area (EEA) and are looking for a way to practice medicine in the United Kingdom, this article is for you. We are here to give you all the details about PLAB, what it is, what it entails, and the requirements.

Firstly, PLAB stands for Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board. PLAB ensures that you have at least the same level of knowledge and ability as a UK doctor in their second-year foundational program. This exam is for anyone who did not get their medical degree in the UK, EEA, or Switzerland. You will have to pass the exam before you can practice medicine in the UK, regardless of whether you are a UK citizen or not. However, if you have a postgraduate degree that the General Medical Council approved, you can be exempted from the PLABs.

Requirements for the exam

So, now that you have a general overview of what the PLAB entails, it is essential to know the requirements that candidates will need before writing the exams.

  1. A medical qualification/degree from your country
  2. An IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score of at least 7.5 or grade B in the OET (Occupational English Test). The test is to check your level of understanding of English.

Where Can the Exam Be Taken?

You can take the PLAB in many locations overseas and in the United Kingdom. These locations include Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Sudan, Australia, Sri Lanka, United Arab Emirates, Canada, and Egypt.

What Does the PLAB Exam Entail? 

The exam has two parts – PLAB 1 and PLAB 2. Both facets of the exam are not just dependent on your ability to remember medical facts; instead, the questions will come from your understanding of the current UK medical practice.

Part 1

This part of the test contains 180 multiple-choice questions. These questions will focus on the current best practices in the UK regarding their provision of service and available equipment in the hospitals. The questions will also cover all the cases that a second-year medical trainee of the Foundational Program should know and have experienced. You will be given one mark for any answer you get correctly and zero for each incorrect one. There is no fixed pass mark, but it is usually from 120-126 and varies year to year.

One of the best ways to make sure that you ace this part is to go through the NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) guidelines. These guidelines give you the best possible evidence-based recommendation for health care in England. Thus, it would be best if you had them at your fingertips.

You can take this part of the exam in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, Bangladesh, Egypt, and Sri Lanka.

Part 2

This part is a three-hour test divided into at least ten stations, and each of these stations carries simulated patients and scenarios. You would be expected to apply your real-life knowledge of care and clinical judgments in these stations. It is an objective structured examination used to access clinical skills, such as communication, evaluation, and interpretation of results. All the stations will be at least 8 minutes long, and just like part 1, the test will be structured at the level of a second-year medical trainee in the Foundational Programme. You have to make sure that you pass at least ten stations to complete this part successfully.

It is essential to note that unlike Part 1, which can be done in several countries, Part 2 can only be done in Manchester, United Kingdom.

How to Schedule Your Exam

Before you can book a PLAB exam, you must have a relevant overseas medical qualification. Also, you should have an IELTS score of at least 7.5 or a grade B for the OET (this can be done in the My Tests sections of your GMC (General Medical Council) online account).

To schedule your exam, you must have a  GMC account. When you get it, go to your GMC account and check all the available dates to write the exam to book a date. Booking Part 1 costs £240. After booking, you will get a verification email. Exam dates and venues are in high demand and limited, so be sure to follow instructions carefully to avoid anything falling through the tracks.

If you are outside the UK, there are several oversea locations where you can write Part 1 of PLAB, such as Egypt, Nigeria, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Australia, Sri Lanka, Canada, Sudan, Ghana, UAE, Nigeria, and South Africa. After you have booked online, contact the British Council in the area that you choose to receive more details about the venue.

After you have passed PLAB 1, you will be eligible for PLAB 2, held in Manchester in the UK. Just like Part 1, you will have to book online, and then you will receive a confirmation that shows you the exact place you will be accessed.

Note that the cost of both parts of the test is around £1114.

Preparing For the PLAB

It is advisable to prepare for about 4-8 months before the date you are scheduled to write the exam. This is where CanadaQBank question bank for the PLAB 1 comes in.

The CanadaQBank has over 3400 of some of the best MCQs you would need to prepare for the exam. Each of these MCQs would cover a different part of a Part 1 topic from the tested areas and provide detailed explanations for each of the topics. What is best about this is that it is accessible 24/7. The subjects covered range from Anesthesia, Emergency Medicine, Respiratory Medicine, Dermatology, Oncology, General Surgery, Infectious Disease, and a host of others.

It is an efficient and affordable way to practice the questions easily under simulated exam conditions. There are different subscription prices tailored to whatever your need is. The prices are:

  • $95 – 1 month
  • $135 – 2 months
  • $ 175 – 3 months
  • $250 – 6 months
  • $335 – 9 months
  • $395 – 12 months

Do not be left behind; take advantage of the services of CanadaQBank.

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What Is the Professional and Linguistics Assessment Board?

QBank for the Plab Part 1

The Professional and Linguistics Assessment Board, also known as the PLAB, is an examination in the United Kingdom that is used to measure foreign medical students’ competency and knowledge before providing them with licensure to practice medicine in the UK. Learning more about the PLAB can help students feel more at ease before testing.

Sign up to our PLAB Part 1 Question Bank

Who Needs to Take the PLAB?

If you are a medical school graduate, but you graduated from a school that is outside of the UK, EEA (European Economic Area), or Switzerland, you will need to sit for the PLAB in order to prove that you have the right level of education and knowledge to practice medicine according to UK laws and standards. You will need to pass both parts of this examination before you can register with your license to practice medicine.

Scheduling Your PLAB

To schedule your PLAB examination, you will need to visit the General Medical Council’s licensing and registration section that is dedicated to this exam. Here, you can gain some vital information about how the exam is set up, create your online account through the GMC, and book your test in any number of countries. Beforehand, you should consider downloading the PLAB blueprint which is offered directly through the GMC to help you better understand the knowledge and skills you should possess in order to pass.

A Two-Part Test

The PLAB is administered in two separate parts.

  • PLAB Part 1 – This part of the exam consists of 180 multiple choice questions that you must answer within a total of three hours. In each question, you are given a scenario to analyze, and you must select the best possible answer to fit that scenario out of a total of five. You can take the first part of the PLAB in various countries worldwide, including the UK.
  • PLAB Part 2 – This part of the exam takes place in a clinical setting. You will be given 18 different mock scenarios to analyze, and you will have eight minutes per scenario to provide the required information. These scenarios are just like consultations or acute wards that doctors in the UK must perform each day, and these only take place at the Clinical Assessment Centre located in Manchester, England in the UK.

After Passing the PLAB

Once you have successfully passed both parts of the PLAB examination, you can apply for your license to practice medicine in the United Kingdom. It is important that you submit your application within a reasonable timeframe because you will only have two years after taking the PLAB Part 2 to obtain licensure approval. After your application is approved and you have been registered, you can rightfully and legally work as a doctor in the UK.

Simply put, the PLAB exam is much like an equivalency examination that ensures you have the expected level of knowledge and education to work as a physician in the UK while upholding that country’s medical standards. It is a requirement among students in Canada and the United States, among other countries, who wish to work as doctors in the United Kingdom.