PLAB (Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board) is necessary for all foreign nationals who have completed their graduation (MBBS) from. PLAB Exam for the UK is a gateway to medical courses. PLAB exam is meant for international medical graduates aiming at a medical career in the United Kingdom (UK).
PLAB enables international medical graduates from non-European countries to become licensed medical practitioners in the UK. The exam is conducted by the General Medical Council (GMC) of UK.
This entrance exam is conducted to check the right knowledge and skills to practice medicine in the UK. PLAB is mandatory for all overseas doctors (or international medical graduates), from outside the European Economic Area and Switzerland, who usually need to pass before they can legally practice medicine in the UK.
PLAB Exam Dates 2022
The PLAB exam is held four times a year. However, PLAB is only held twice a year in India (in February and November). Also, keep in mind that you may only take the PLAB exam four times. The fifth attempt can be given to consideration by GMC.
Exam date |
Overseas closing date |
UK closing date |
17 February 2022 |
6 January 2022 |
3 February 2022 |
26 May 2022 |
14 April 2022 |
12 May 2022 |
11 August 2022 |
30 June 2022 |
28 July 2022 |
3 November 2022 |
22 September 2022 |
20 October 2022 |
Eligibility Criteria for PLAB Exam
1. Primary medical qualification (MBBS in India) was received from an institution listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools for limited registration is mandatory.
2. Passed the IELTS academic modules with a minimum score of 7.5 overall and 7.0 in each of the four language skills.
Application Process for PLAB Exam
1. The PLAB test can also be applied to the GMA website.
2. After the candidate applies for the test, you will receive a confirmation mail from the GMC website confirming their registration.
3. The email will also include his/her registration, place, venue and the starting time of the test.
4. 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.
5. 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 FEES IN INR
PLAB Part 1 - 20,000 INR approx.
PLAB Part 2 - 69,000 INR approx.
Exam pattern for PLAB Exam 2022
The PLAB test assesses you against the level of knowledge and skills expected of doctors beginning the second year of their Foundation Programme training in the UK. PLAB test is a 2 part assessment that assesses medical knowledge and communication skills possessed by international medical graduates.
PLAB 1
1. PLAB 1 is a 3 hour written test with 180 multiple-choice questions that you must answer.
2. Each one begins with a brief narrative and a question.
3. You must select the correct answer from the four options provided.
PLAB 2
1. PLAB 2 this part comprises an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) which consists of 18 clinical stations.
2. Each station is 18 minutes long with 2 minutes of reading time.
3. 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 Results
PLAB results are announced within 6-weeks of your PLAB Part 1 exam and 4-weeks of PLAB Part 2 exam. You can check it in the My Account section of the official GMC UK website. If not happy with the PLAB performance, a Request for PLAB score review must be requested in writing within 28-days of the result date with extra service charges. GMC, UK responds to PLAB Result review requests within 10 official working days.