In 2023, around 15,781 students globally appeared for the PLAB exam, with more than 72% passing the exam. If you are planning to pursue your medical education abroad in a country like the UK and set up your practice, the Professional and Linguistics Assessment Board (PLAB) is your gateway.
Taking the test would help you demonstrate that you possess the necessary skills and knowledge to study medical courses or practice medicine in the UK. The test consists of two parts - PLAB 1 and PLAB 2.
While the first part is a written exam, the second tests your medical knowledge practically. Thinking about what this test is all about? Read on to get an overview of the exam, syllabus, and, most importantly, the PLAB exam fees.
PLAB exam (Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board) is a two-part assessment designed to evaluate the knowledge and skills of international medical graduates who wish to practice medicine in the UK. The PLAB exam is overseen by the General Medical Council (GMC) and is a mandatory requirement for all overseas doctors who wish to work in the UK National Health Service (NHS).
The exam is conducted in English and consists of multiple-choice questions that cover a wide range of topics related to medicine, including basic medical sciences, clinical knowledge, and communication skills. Completing the PLAB exam is a key step towards obtaining registration with the GMC and pursuing a career as a doctor in the UK.
PLAB Exam Fees 2024
PLAB exam fees for 2024 are £268 for PLAB 1 and £981 for PLAB 2. PLAB exam fees in India are around INR 28,974 for PLAB 1 and INR 1,06,058 for PLAB 2.
Applicants can cancel their exams through the PLAB booking service.
Registration Process and Eligibility for 2024
The registration process for the PLAB exam is conducted through the GMC online portal. The applicant has to:
Set up, Log in, and Update the account.
Finish the procedure to get your digital identity checked.
Manage the registration.
Update the details.
Upload the certificates.
Pay the fees.
For PLAB exam eligibility, an applicant must fulfill the following conditions:
Before applying for the PLAB exam, it is important to check if your primary medical qualification (PMQ) is recognized in the UK. The institution that granted your PMQ must be listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools.
To be eligible for the PLAB exam, you must have taken an English language test and achieved the required scores. For IELTS, you must have obtained an overall score of at least 7.5, with a minimum score of 7.0 in each of the four language skills. For OET, at least Grade B is required in each testing area.
You must have completed clinical rotations as part of your qualification or during your internship.
You must have received your qualification after completing 5,500 hours of study over a period of 3 years.
PLAB Exam Syllabus
The PLAB Part 1 tests skills through 180 multiple-choice questions. Each question starts with a short scenario, and applicants must choose the correct answer out of the five possible options.
The exam will cover acute conditions looked at by doctors in the Foundation Programme Year 2, although these won’t include the general practitioner’s (GP) duties.
Part 2 deals with practical scenarios that UK-trained doctors may witness daily, and the test taker might have to showcase how they would deal with the situation in a mock consultation or acute ward setting. The test includes 16 scenarios that last for 8 minutes each.
One must be well acquainted with the PLAB exam syllabus for both parts to ace the test.
PLAB Exam Dates 2024
The PLAB 1 exam is conducted four times a year in February, May, August, and November, whereas the PLAB 2 exam is held throughout the year.
Below are some important dates & deadlines for PLAB 2024:
Exam date
Date of result announcement
23rd May 2024
4th July 2024 by 4 pm
8th August 2024
19th September 2024 by 4 pm
7th November 2024
19th December 2024 by 4 pm
20th February 2025
3rd April 2025 by 4 pm
Payment Methods Accepted for PLAB Exam Fees
It is important to consider how you will pay for the PLAB exam costs. There are several methods that you can use:
Debit or credit card
You can pay your PLAB exam fees through debit or credit card by logging into your GMC Online account. GMC accepts payment through Visa, MasterCard and Maestro.
Cheques, bank drafts and postal orders
Payments made through cheques, bank drafts, and postal orders should be payable to the General Medical Council with your full name and GMC reference number clearly on the back of your payment. You can pay through bank drafts drawn on a UK-based bank and in pounds sterling. GMC does not accept payments via post-dated cheques.
Internet banking and bank transfers
After logging in to your GMC Online account, you can find their bank details, and you can make the payment directly into their account.
Refund Policies and Procedures for Exam Cancellations or Rescheduling
There is no option to reschedule your PLAB exam. If you want to reschedule your test, you must cancel your reservation and book a new date by logging into your GMC online account.
If you cancel the test, 42 days prior to your test date then you are liable to receive a refund with 10% deduction. However, if the cancellation is made within 42 days of the test date, then your PLAB fees won’t be refunded.
Exceptional circumstances might arise where GMC might consider initiating a full refund of your PLAB exam fees. These situations include poor health, bereavement, travel restrictions, and visa refusal.
To receive the refund, you should first cancel your place followed by an email where you provide evidence of your circumstances. If the test is canceled by GMC, then the applicants would be informed well in advance, and they will arrange either a refund or provide an option to book an alternative date.
Assistance and Support Services Available for Candidates
GMC provides assistance to candidates with special needs. There are several adjustments offered to people with physical disabilities, vision impairment, dyslexia and pregnant women at clinical assessment centers.
For any more information about the PLAB exam fees and syllabus, you can refer to the official PLAB part1 and PLAB part 2 guides.
Conclusion
Taking the PLAB test is not that difficult as there is detailed guidance on the website. All you have to do is meet the eligibility criteria, focus on brushing up your skills, and follow the instructions mentioned in the test. Keep an eye on the official website for the PLAB exam fees and test dates.
Once you have qualified both PLAB 1 and PLAB 2 tests, you can apply for a license to start your medical practice in the UK.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the PLAB exam difficult?
The exam assesses the skills and knowledge required for a doctor to practice medicine safely in the UK. Therefore, it is considered a challenging exam that requires thorough preparation and a solid understanding of medical concepts.
However, with proper preparation and practice, many candidates have successfully passed the exam and gone on to work as doctors in the UK.
Can I book PLAB 1 without IELTS?
Yes, but then you will have to appear for another exam such as the OET to prove your English language proficiency. The GMC, which administers the PLAB exam, requires all candidates to provide evidence of their English language proficiency before booking the exam. This ensures doctors have the necessary language skills to communicate effectively with patients and colleagues in the UK healthcare system.
Who is eligible for PLAB?
If you have a primary medical qualification, English proficiency skills & clinical experience as part of your qualification or internship, then you’re eligible for PLAB.
How many attempts are there for PLAB 1?
Candidates are allowed to attempt the PLAB 1 and PLAB 2 exams a maximum of four times. After four failed attempts, candidates may apply for one final attempt after a gap of atleast 12 months.
They must demonstrate evidence of additional learning through a post-graduate qualification or clinical experience over this period and make a special application to the General Medical Council.
Can I apply for PLAB after MBBS?
Yes, you can apply for PLAB after your MBBS. A primary medical qualification (PMQ) is necessary to apply for the PLAB test, and the MBBS degree is appropriate for that as it equips you with the skills and knowledge to practice professionally.
Can I reschedule my PLAB exam date if needed? If so, what is the procedure?
No, you can’t reschedule your PLAB exam date. If you want to reschedule the test, you would have to cancel your exam first and then apply for a new test date.
What payment methods are accepted for PLAB Exam fees?
You can pay your PLAB exam fees through debit or credit card, cheques, bank drafts and postal orders, internet banking and bank transfers.
Are there any additional fees associated with rescheduling the PLAB exam?
There is no option to reschedule your PLAB test. Therefore, you would have to cancel your test and then re-apply for a new test date. In this case, 10% of your test fee would be deducted if the cancellation is made prior to 42 days before the test date, but no refund would be initiated in case of cancellation within 42 days of the test date.
Pragya Sharma is a content developer and marketer with 6.5+ years of experience in the education industry. She started her career as a social media copywriter for NIELIT, Ministry of Electronics & IT, and has now scaled up as a 360-degree content professional well-versed with the intricacies of digital marketing and different forms of content used to drive and hook the target audience.
She is also a co-author of 2 stories in an anthology based on the theme- women empowerment.
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