PROFESSIONAL & LINGUISTIC ASSESSMENTS BOARD (PLAB)

PLAB is an interesting journey, which all International Medical Graduates (IMG) who have qualified outside the European Union will have to undertake before they can start working in the UK National Health Service (NHS).

ABMA endeavours to make your journey as pleasurable as possible. We have a clear understanding of the challenges faced by IMGs before they start working in the UK. In addition to preparing you for the entire journey, our faculty will always remain available to offer you real time advice if you should face any kind of hurdle.

Why candidates take the PLAB Test?

All doctors must be registered and licensed with the GMC if they want to work as doctors in the UK. How doctors are registered and licensed depends, generally, on their nationality and where they qualified. Doctors who graduate outside the UK and the EEA are known as international medical graduates.

Prerequisites for PLAB

• • Graduation from medical school
• • English Language Proficiency(OET or IELTS)

Graduation from Medical School

If your primary medical qualification is from outside the UK or EEA, GMC needs to make sure it’s acceptable in the UK.

Check if your medical school is listed on the World Directory.

English Language Requirements – IELTS

• • Academic version of the test
• • Score of at least 7.0 in each testing area and an overall score of 7.5
• • You got these scores in the same test
• • Within 2 years of the test

English Language Requirements – OET

• • you took the medicine version of the test
• • you got at least a grade ‘B’ in each testing area (speaking, listening, reading and writing)
• • you got those grades in the same test
• • you obtained the grades in your most recent sitting of the test.

What does the PLAB test do?

PLAB is the licencing exam for International Medical Graduates wishing to practice in the UK.

PLAB has two parts,

PLAB 1 and PLAB 2.

Once you’ve passed your PLAB 2 exam, you can get GMC registration to become eligible to work in the UK as a doctor.

What is PLAB P1?

• • The exam tests your ability to apply your knowledge for the care of patients. It doesn’t test how well you can remember and recite facts.
• • Questions relate to current best practice in the UK, and equipment routinely available in UK hospitals.
• • You’ll need to answer the questions in relation to published evidence and not according to your local arrangements.

Format

• • 180 multiple choice questions
• • Must answer within three hours
• • Each starts with a short scenario followed by a question
• • Choose the right answer out of the five possible answers given

Test Dates

Exam Venues

Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, Egypt, Ghana, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, UAE, UK

Exam Cost

Part 1 of the PLAB test: £230 until 31 March 2019, £235 from 1 April 2019.

How to prepare?

• • The Foundation Programme curriculum
• • Good medical practice
• • The PLAB blueprint
• • ABMA PLAB P1 Online, Webinar or Face to Face Course

Result

Your results will be available around six weeks after you take the exam

What is PLAB P2?

PLAB 2 is an objective structured clinical exam (OSCE).

• • It’s made up of 18 scenarios
• • Each lasting eight minutes
• • Total Time : Three hours and 10 minutes.
• • One and a half minutes between scenarios to read the instructions and patient information.
• • There will be at least two rest stations, allowing you to take breaks.
• • Aims to reflect real life settings including a mock consultation or an acute ward.

PLAB P2 : How will you be tested?

1. Data gathering, technical and assessment skills
2. Clinical management skills
3. Interpersonal skills

PLAB P2 : When & Where?

• • You can take part 2 at clinical assessment centre in Manchester, UK.
• • PLAB 2 test dates throughout the year.

PLAB P2 : Exam Cost?

Part 2 of the PLAB test:

• • £840 until 31 March 2019
• • £860 from 1 April 2019.

PLAB P2 : How to prepare?

• • The Foundation Programme curriculum
• • Good medical practice
• • The PLAB blueprint
• • ABMA PLAB P2 Intensive Course in Manchester

PLAB P2 : Result?

• • Your results will be published on the Wednesday of the 4th week after your testing week. GMC publishes results at approximately 10.30 am.

What do you do after the exam?

• • When you pass the exam, you can apply for registration with a licence to practise. You must have your application for registration with a licence to practise in the UK approved within two years of passing part 2 of the exam. This applies from the point you take part 2, not the date you get your results.
• • If you fail the exam, you can book to take the exam again provided you meet all the requirements. You can attempt the exam a maximum of four times.