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PLAB or Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board that the international medical graduates (IMG) must take in order to demonstrate that they possess the necessary skills and knowledge to practice medicine to Study in UK. PLAB Exam for the UK is a gateway to medical courses. PLAB test is a 2 part assessment and assesses medical knowledge and communication skills possessed by international medical graduates. Find out everything about the PLAB exam here!
About PLAB Exam
PLAB Exam tests your capacity to use your knowledge to provide patient care will be evaluated in the exam. It doesn’t assess your capacity to recall and recite information. Questions concern current UK best practices and equipment that is frequently on hand in UK hospitals. You must respond to the questions based on published evidence, not on the customs in your area.
What does the exam cover?
The exam includes the management of long-term conditions observed in primary care as well as the common, important, or acute conditions (those common in emergency departments) faced by trainees entering the second year of the Foundation Programme (F2). It does not include a general practitioner’s more complex responsibilities (GP).
PLAB Exam Requirements
Given below are the eligibility criteria for the medical graduates appearing for the test:
- The candidates’ primary qualifications must be accepted for limited registration by an institution listed in the World Health Organisation Directory of Medical Schools.
- The candidates should have appeared for IELTS and secured a minimum score of 7 overall and a minimum of 7.0 for all of the four language modules.
- Additionally, the candidates should complete a minimum of 12 months of postgraduate clinical experience at a teaching hospital.
PLAB Important Dates and Deadlines 2024
Learn about the important dates of the PLAB 1 Test to know about the deadlines.
| Exam date | Overseas closing date | UK closing date |
| 15 Feb 2024 | 4 January 2024 | 1 February 2024 |
| 23 May 2024 | 11 April 2024 | 9 May 2024 |
| 8 August 2024 | 27 June 2024 | 25 July 2024 |
| 7 November 2024 | 26 September 2024 | 24 October 2024 |
PLAB Exam Centres and Countries
The 1st Part of PLAB is conducted across various states in India namely:
- Bangalore
- Chennai
- Hyderabad
- Kolkata
- Mumbai
- New Delhi
Countries
Part 1 of the PLAB test can be conducted in:
- India
- Egypt
- Bulgaria
- Dubai
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
Note: Part 2 of the test has to be conducted only in UK, Manchester.
PLAB 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.
PLAB Exam Application Process
The PLAB test can also be applied to the GMA website. After the candidate applies for the test, you will receive a confirmation mail from the GMC website confirming their registration. The email will also include his/her registration, place, venue and the starting time of the test. PLAB 1 is held in numerous cities in India, twice a year (on 15th March and 15th November). The deadline for the exam is usually 8 weeks before the registration.
Candidates are allowed to appear for PLAB 1 as many times as they like but can only appear for PLAB 2 four times. On failing the 4th attempt of PLAB 2, the candidate will have to appear for PLAB 1 again.
PLAB Exam 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.
PLAB Exam Cost
Given below is the fee structure of the PLAB exam:
| Test | Fees in GBP | Fees in INR |
| PLAB 1 | 239 | 24k |
| PLAB 2 | 875 | 89k |
PLAB Exam Result
- Part 1 i.e. PLAB 1 is usually declared 4 weeks after appearing for the test.
- Part 2 i.e. PLAB 2 is usually declared 2 weeks after appearing for the test.
The exact dates of the result will be announced at the same time as the dates for the test are released. Candidates can find the result on the official GMC website the day after it is sent out by post. The result is valid only for a period of 3 years and the candidate should have Part 2 within three years of passing Part 1.
Number of Attempts
Being a competitive exam among students, there are a specified number of attempts that students can take for each part of the PLAB exam.
- Students are allowed to take four attempts at part 1.
- A candidate may have four attempts at the part 2 OSCE, provided their pass in the part 1 examination is within the validity period.
Please note: You must pass part 2 within 2 years of the date you passed part 1, and you are allowed a maximum of four attempts. If you do not pass Part 2 within two years of passing Part 1 or fail on your fourth attempt, you will have to re-sit Part 1 and Part 2.
PLAB Exam After MBBS
Applicants can pursue PG in the UK after MBBS in India with the PLAB exam. It is a prerequisite for obtaining GMC registration which is mandatory in the UK Medical system. It is a certification exam to test your eligibility for GMC (General Medical Council) registration. It does not grant a degree. It only register’s applicants with GMC.
What Next?
You can apply for a complete registration with a practice license after passing both of your PLAB tests. After completing part 2 of the test, your application must be granted within two years. After the GMC has granted approval to your application, you may practice medicine in the UK.
So that was all about the PLAB exam. Hope the blog has covered your doubts regarding the topic.
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 diploma 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.
Build a plan with Leverage Edu‘s Leverage Live classes and our top trainers and strengthen your English score as well as your application so that you can secure your spot in your dream college.
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Leave a Reply
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I want to appear in plab this year 2021
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Hi, Jatinder.
That’s the complete guide on PLAB. You can check the deadlines and eligibility requirements.
For more help contact 1800 57 2000!
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Plab dates 2021 india
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Hi, Jatinder.
That’s the complete guide on PLAB.
For more help contact 1800 57 2000!
-
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18 comments
I want to appear in plab this year 2021
Hi, Jatinder.
That’s the complete guide on PLAB. You can check the deadlines and eligibility requirements.
For more help contact 1800 57 2000!
Plab dates 2021 india
Hi, Jatinder.
That’s the complete guide on PLAB.
For more help contact 1800 57 2000!
I have a dream to practice medicine in UK. Hope i will ….
We wish you all the best of luck! If you need help in achieving your goal then feel free to call us at 1800572000!
Hope this helps
!
when can i register for plab 1, after completing final year or before it
Hi, Sakshi!
The candidates should complete a minimum of 12 months of postgraduate clinical experience at a teaching hospital. You can also read complete details mentioned in it and for more information, call us at 1800 57 2000!
Hi
I wish to take the PLAB exams. Am a Family Physician in active clinical practice: I hold an MBBS 2006 and a Postgraduate Diploma in Family Medicine 2019. Am currently a Resident doctor with the University Of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, UMTH, Nigeria.
My questions are:
1) after passing PLAB 1&2 and getting GMC registration, how will my work experience and additional qualifications count towards getting an appropriate job placement?
2) ECCTIS.com offers comparability of foreign qualifications taught in English language in lieu of IELTS: can I use that pathway to get my English language requirement certified?
3) after passing PLAB exams, can I stay back in the UK and seek employment?
Pls reply as soon as you can….
Regards
Hi, thanks for reaching out to us! It seems that you have a lot of queries and for that, who’s better than our Leverage Edu experts. Call us at 1800572000 and get on a one-on-one conversation with our experts that will help you out!
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Hi Madhav! Check out this blog on USMLE -https://leverageedu.com/blog/usmle-exam/
Can i attend plab 1 in the middle of my house surgency
Hi Amal!
Please connect with our experts on 1800 572 000 and get all your queries on studying in UK resolved!
My Mbbs will be complete in july 2022 with intern. And I want to give plab, so, I should take the November 2022 slot?
Hi Manjinder! Please check the eligibility criteria before starting the application process for PLAB.
I cleared PLAB in 2007 and then left the UK. I received Provisional General Medical Council clearance. Can I apply now?
Hey! If you have cleared Plab 1 in 2007, you must apply for Plab 2 in the next 3 years otherwise Plab 1 may expire.