PLAB Exam: Application, Dates, Syllabus and Results

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 in the UK. PLAB Exam for 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!

PLAB Exam Requirements

Given below is the eligibility criteria for the medical graduates appearing for the test: 

• The candidates’ primary qualification 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.

Also Read: List of Exams to Study Abroad!

Important Dates and Deadlines

PLAB Exam Centres

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. 

Exam pattern

The PLAB test consists of 2 parts :

1. PLAB 1 – This exam is conducted in MCQ format consisting of 180 questions that have to be solved in 3 hours. 
2. 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

Note: Bookings for Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad: 21 October 2021 – 10:30 am, Bookings for Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi: 21 October 2021 – 2:00 pm.

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 booklets ‘Advice to Candidates’. There are separate booklets for Part 1 and Part 2.

Check Out – FMGE (Foreign Medical Graduates Examination)

Cost

Given below is the fee structure of the 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 the 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.

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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 at 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

FAQs

This was all about the PLAB exam. We hope this blog equips you with all the necessary information. In case of doubts or assistance with respect to studying abroad, get in touch with our experts at Leverage Edu for guidance.

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