Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board Examination

The Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) exam is designed to assess whether international medical graduates (IMGs) have the necessary knowledge and skills to practice medicine in the UK. Here's an overview:

PLAB Exam Structure

The PLAB exam consists of two parts:

PLAB 1

• Format: A written test with 180 multiple-choice questions.
• Duration: 3 hours.
• Content: Covers common medical scenarios that a newly qualified doctor in the UK would be expected to handle. It emphasizes clinical reasoning and decision-making rather than memorization.
• Frequency and Location: Can be taken in the UK and many overseas locations several times a year.

PLAB 2

• Format: An objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) with 18 clinical scenarios.
• Duration: Each scenario lasts 8 minutes.
• Content: Tests practical skills, communication, and clinical decision-making in simulated environments with actors and patients.
• Location: Must be taken in the UK at the General Medical Council's (GMC) Clinical Assessment Centre in Manchester.

Eligibility for PLAB

To sit for the PLAB exam, you must:

1. Have a recognized medical qualification: Your qualification must be accepted by the General Medical Council (GMC).
2. Meet English language requirements: Most candidates need to pass an English proficiency test such as:
   • IELTS Academic: Overall score of at least 7.5, with a minimum of 7.0 in each section.
   • OET Medicine: At least Grade B in all four areas (Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking).

Cost of PLAB

• PLAB 1: £255 (as of the latest update).
• PLAB 2: £934 (as of the latest update).

Steps to Take the PLAB Exam

1. Verify Your Eligibility: Ensure your medical school qualification is accepted by the GMC.
2. Register with GMC: Create an account on the GMC website.
3. Meet English Language Requirements.
4. Book PLAB 1: Choose a convenient location and date.
5. Pass PLAB 1: This qualifies you to take PLAB 2.
6. Book and Pass PLAB 2.
7. Apply for GMC Registration: Once you pass both parts, you can apply for a license to practice medicine in the UK.

Tips for Preparation

• Use GMC's PLAB Blueprint to understand the syllabus.
• Practice using question banks like PLABable, Passmedicine, and others.
• Attend PLAB 2 preparation courses for OSCE practice.
• Focus on communication and patient-centered care, as these are heavily emphasized in PLAB 2.