PLAB Exam 2026: Pattern, Syllabus, Dates, Registration & Preparation Tips
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PLAB Exam 2026: Pattern, Syllabus, Dates, Registration & Preparation Tips

PLAB Exam 2026
Vaishali Verma
Content Writer

The Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) exam is conducted by General Medical Council which tests the competency of IMGs to practice medicine in UK. It consists of two parts in which candidates are evaluated according to Foundation Year 2 doctor level. PLAB exam is compulsory for those who have obtained their medical degree from countries other than UK, European Economic Area and Switzerland and want to work as doctors in United Kingdom. They will be able to prove that they are competent enough according to UK requirements. There are two parts of PLAB exam such as PLAB 1 and PLAB 2. Candidates need to create an account on GMC official website and complete the registration process online to apply for examination.

PLAB Exam Highlights 2026

Feature

Details

Exam Name

PLAB (Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board)

Conducting Body

General Medical Council, United Kingdom

Purpose

Evaluates clinical knowledge, skills and readiness of international medical graduates for medical practice in the United Kingdom

Exam Stages

PLAB 1 and PLAB 2

Mode of Exam

PLAB 1: Computer-based test PLAB 2: Objective Structured Clinical Examination

Eligibility Criteria

MBBS or equivalent medical qualification + IELTS or OET qualification

English Requirement

IELTS overall 7.5 with a minimum of 7 in each module or OET Grade B in all sections

Exam Pattern

PLAB 1: 180 multiple-choice questions PLAB 2: Clinical skill-based stations

Exam Duration

PLAB 1: 3 hours PLAB 2: Multiple OSCE stations over approximately 3 hours

Application Process

Registration through GMC online account and separate booking for both exam parts

Exam Centers

PLAB 1: Selected international centers PLAB 2: Conducted only in UK

Passing Criteria

PLAB 1 must be cleared before appearing for PLAB 2; both parts require separate passing scores

Validity

PLAB 1 result remains valid for 2 years

Fees (Approx.)

PLAB 1 and PLAB 2 fees vary as per GMC updates

Next Step After PLAB

Apply for GMC registration to practice medicine in the UK

Career Scope

Opportunity to work in NHS hospitals as a registered doctor

Official Website

gmc-uk.org

PLAB Exam Eligibility Criteria

PLAB exam admission criteria are set by General Medical Council and outline basic requirements for applying. These requirements are designed for international medical graduates who wish to practice in UK. Candidates should review key factors such as educational qualifications, English language proficiency and required certifications before referring to table.

Eligibility Feature

Requirement

Medical Qualification

MBBS or an equivalent medical degree recognized by General Medical Council.

Internship

Completion of at least 12 months of internship or clinical experience after graduation.

English Language

IELTS overall 7.5 with a minimum of 7 in each module or OET Grade B in all sections.

Age Limit

No specific age limit, but GMC registration requires fitness to practice.

Attempt Requirements

Candidates can attempt PLAB 1 up to 4 times and PLAB 2 attempts depend on PLAB 1 clearance.

GMC Registration

Must have a GMC online account to apply.

Exam Sequence

PLAB 1 must be cleared before appearing for PLAB 2.

PLAB Exam Registration Process 2026

The registration process for PLAB Exam will be completed by few simple steps that applicants must follow to apply for exam. The process is conducted online through General Medical Council official portal. Aspirants should check each step carefully to avoid errors or delays.

  • Step 1: Create an account on the GMC website.

  • Step 2: Verify your primary medical qualification.

  • Step 3: Submit your proof of English Language Test Score.

  • Step 4: Fill out the online application form.

  • Step 5: Select your preferred date and test centre.

  • Step 6: Pay the exam fee.

PLAB Exam Important Dates 2026

Candidates who plan to take Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board test need to always be aware of their schedule. Provided by GMC, this schedule includes important timelines like applications and tests. Checking the schedule before last date can prevent any problems that might arise.

Key Events

Tentative Dates

Booking Deadline (UK)

2 weeks before exam

Booking Deadline (Overseas)

6 weeks before exam

PLAB Exam Date

20 February 2026

21 May 2026

Result Declaration

April 2026

July 2026

September 2026

PLAB Exam Pattern 2026

Aspirants should have an understanding of the exam pattern to improve their study technique. According to regulations set by General Medical Council, examination will be conducted in phases to assess students’ theoretical and practical abilities. Through this process, students can concentrate on their studies. Below is table describing the entire exam pattern.

Exam Stage

Mode

Number of Questions

Duration

Question Type and Format

Key Focus Areas

PLAB 1

Computer-based test

180 MCQs

3 hours

Single best answer multiple-choice

Applied medical knowledge, clinical scenarios and decision-making

PLAB 2

Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)

18 clinical stations

3 hours

Practical clinical tasks with simulated patients

Clinical skills, communication, patient management and practical procedures

PLAB Exam Fees 2026

Applicants need to pay the prescribed PLAB test fees for appearance at examination. This fee structure include PLAB 1 and PLAB part 2 with any additional charges. Candidates should find these costs early to ensure smooth financial planning and application process. The fees for Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board exam are listed in table given below.

Fee Component

Amount (£)

PLAB 1 Exam Fee

£283

PLAB 2 Exam Fee

£1,036

PLAB 1 Cancellation Fee (More than 42 days before exam)

£28.3

PLAB 1 Cancellation Fee (42 days or less before exam)

£283

PLAB 2 Cancellation Fee (More than 42 days before exam)

£103

PLAB 2 Cancellation Fee (42–29 days before exam)

£518

PLAB 2 Cancellation Fee (28 days or less before exam)

£1,036

PLAB Exam Centres

Choosing a suitable exam centre is an important factor in PLAB application process 2026. The exam is conducted at multiple locations in different countries, which provides candidates with flexibility in selection. While PLAB 1 is held in various international cities, PLAB 2 is conducted only in United Kingdom. The following table provides list of Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board exam centres.

Country

City

India

Hyderabad

South Africa

Johannesburg

Nigeria

Lagos

Canada

Toronto

Egypt

Cairo

Pakistan

Karachi

UAE

Dubai

Bangladesh

Dhaka

Spain

Madrid

India

Mumbai

Nigeria

Enugu

Republic of Ireland

Dublin

Saudi Arabia

Riyadh

India

Bangalore

Kenya

Nairobi

India

Kolkata

Egypt

Alexandria

India

Chennai

Pakistan

Islamabad

Ghana

Accra

India

New Delhi

Australia

Sydney

Sri Lanka

Colombo

Nigeria

Abuja

PLAB Exam Syllabus 2026

PLAB Test Syllabus 2026 highlights essential areas to focus on for both PLAB 1 and PLAB 2, helping candidates plan and manage their study schedule. Aspirants aiming to pursue further studies or practice medicine abroad must perform well in this exam by following this syllabus.

Section

Topics Covered

Description

PLAB 1

General Medicine- Cardiology, Respiratory, Gastroenterology, Endocrinology and Haematology

Tests core clinical knowledge and decision-making through scenario-based MCQs

Surgery- Trauma, Post-operative care and Common surgical conditions

Focus on diagnosis and management of surgical cases

Paediatrics

Growth, development, childhood diseases

Psychiatry

Mental health assessment and treatment

Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Pregnancy, labour, women’s health

Ethics, Law & Professionalism

Consent, confidentiality, legal responsibilities

Clinical Practice & Patient Presentations

Common symptoms, diagnosis and management

Communication & Clinical Skills

History taking, examination basics

PLAB 2

History Taking & Physical Examination

Patient interaction and clinical examination skills

Communication Skills

Counselling, explaining diagnosis, empathy

Clinical Management

Diagnosis, investigations, treatment planning

Emergency Scenarios

Acute care and patient safety situations

Ethical & Professional Scenarios

Consent, confidentiality, professionalism

Teamwork & Leadership

Working with healthcare professionals

Core Competencies

Clinical Decision Making

Safe and effective treatment planning

Patient Safety & Care

Evidence-based and patient-centred care

Professional Values

Ethics, teamwork and communication

PLAB Exam Preparation Tips

Studying for PLAB test should be an organized activity to ensure that all relevant theory and skills are covered. Below are some useful tips for preparing for two parts of PLAB exam.

  • Overview: Know what you should learn about from the UKMLA content map and the topics of PLAB test.

  • Planning: Make sure you spend enough time studying all the subjects and balancing theory and practice.

  • Materials: Use textbooks, online resources and mock tests to prepare.

  • Regular Revision: Continuous revision helps improve learning and boosts self-confidence.

  • Professionalism: Learn ethics and communication skills.

  • Testing: Test yourself regularly by doing practice exams.

  • Improvement: Focus on areas where you need more attention.

PLAB and USMLE Exam Comparison 2026

International medical graduates must consider key differences between PLAB and USMLE exams when planning their career path. Some of the differences that should be noted include those related to exam format, eligibility criteria, time frame and expenses. See the following table for more information.

Feature

PLAB (Professional & Linguistic Assessments Board)

USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination)

Purpose

Licensure for international medical graduates to practice in UK

Licensure for medical graduates to practice in USA

Conducting Body

General Medical Council (GMC), UK

Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) & National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME), USA

Exam Parts

PLAB 1 (MCQs), PLAB 2 (OSCE)

Step 1 (Basic Sciences), Step 2 CK (Clinical Knowledge), Step 2 CS (discontinued) and Step 3 (Clinical Management)

Format

PLAB 1- 180 MCQs in 3 hours PLAB 2- OSCE with 16 stations

Step 1 & 2 CK- MCQs Step 3- MCQs and Case Simulations

Eligibility

Medical degree recognized by GMC + IELTS and OET language test

US or international medical graduate with ECFMG certification

Focus

Practical clinical skills, patient interaction, UK-specific practice

Broad medical knowledge, clinical reasoning and US-based guidelines

Exam Duration

PLAB 1- 3 hours PLAB 2- 2.5 hours

Step 1- 8 hours Step 2 CK- 9 hours Step 3- 2 days (16 hours)

Passing Score

Determined per session by GMC

Standard set for each step by NBME and FSMB

Validity

No expiry once passed, but practical registration is needed for GMC

Must complete Step 1 & Step 2 CK to proceed to Step 3 and certification is required by state

Cost

PLAB 1- £240PLAB 2- £875

Step 1- $645 Step 2 CK- $645 Step 3- $895

Language Requirement

English proficiency test (IELTS and OET)

English proficiency assumed via ECFMG requirements

Test Locations

PLAB 1- Multiple international centers PLAB 2- UK only

Prometric centers worldwide (Step 1 & 2 CK), Step 3- US only

Ideal Candidate

Doctors seeking UK practice

Doctors seeking US practice or residency

Best Books for PLAB Preparation

It is compulsory to choose best study material for scoring an excellent mark in PLAB exam. Reliable sources make it easier for students to prepare. There are plenty of sources from which you need to find out the right books. The information below will help you understand what kind of questions will be asked in Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board test.

Book Name

Purpose

Recommendation

Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine

Core clinical medicine

Use for rapid revision and important topics early in preparation

Oxford Handbook of Clinical Specialties

Specialty-based revision

Following after mastering core medicine helps in PLAB 2 clinical scenarios

Kumar & Clark’s Clinical Medicine

In-depth understanding

Use after initial revision for deeper understanding and difficult cases

Davidson’s Principles and Practice of Medicine

Comprehensive internal medicine reference

Refer selectively for challenging topics or uncommon presentations

PLAB Previous Year Question Papers

PLAB Exam preparation gets very easy if you practice using question papers from previous years. In the following section, you will see a list of previous years’ PLAB question papers, categorized according to year and exam part, which will assist you in comprehending the exam format, recognizing recurring themes and managing your time effectively during the exam.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in PLAB Exam

Passing PLAB test requires not only knowledge but also a strategic approach and understanding of examination itself. Awareness of common mistakes will allow applicants to be prepared for test, organize their time properly and save themselves from unnecessary mistakes.

  • Neglecting the Syllabus: Some topics may be omitted or not included according to UKMLA syllabus.

  • Poor Time Organization: Too much time may be spent on some questions in PLAB 1 test or stations during PLAB 2.

  • Negligence of Clinical Practice: Concentration only on theoretical aspects and no practice of clinical cases in PLAB 2.

  • Overdependence on One Source: Only one book or source of questions may be used.

  • Insufficient Mock Test Practice: Lack of practice tests in conditions that mimic the actual test.

  • Lack of Communication Skills: Poor communication with patients in PLAB 2.

FAQs

International medical graduates wanting to practice in UK.

Only medical graduates with MBBS or equivalent qualification approved by GMC.

PLAB comprises two stages such as PLAB 1 (MCQ) & PLAB 2 (OSCE).

Dates for both stages are provided yearly through GMC website.

Registration process is online through the GMC portal by submission of requisite application and fee.

Syllabus includes subjects like clinical medicine, basics of medical sciences and other topics.

Exams take place at approved centers in UK and abroad.

Learn basic syllabus related to clinical subjects, practice MCQs and participate in OSCE mock classes.

The exam fee for PLAB Exam 2026, as prescribed by exam authorities, can be found on GMC website.

The result will be announced on GMC website after some weeks of exam.
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