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Exam regulations

Contents

PLAB Examination regulations Part 1

Regulations

These are the regulations which govern the PLAB Test Part 1. You should read them carefully so that you understand the procedures. You must abide by them.

Definitions

1. The following definitions will apply to these regulations:

  1. “The Examination” - means Part 1 of the PLAB Test
  2. “The Head of PLAB” - means the current Head of the PLAB test section or their nominee

Scope

2. These regulations apply to candidates taking the Examination from August 2008.

Taking the Examination

3. Before a candidate enters the Examination they must:

  1. Have obtained, or passed the final examinations that make them eligible for the award of, a primary medical qualification awarded outside the UK which is acceptable for registration.
  2. The scores currently required by the GMC in the IELTS test (academic format), obtained a maximum of two years before the date on which the candidate takes the examination, or; 
  3. Other evidence of knowledge of the English language which has been accepted by the GMC.

4. The candidate must bring proof of their identity to the Examination.

5. The following are acceptable forms of identification. To be accepted, the identification document must be original, current and bear the candidate's photograph. No other identification documents will be accepted:

  1. The candidate’s passport.
  2. The candidate's UK Immigration and Nationality Department identification document.
  3. The candidate's Home Office travel document.
  4. The candidate's UK driving licence.
  5. The candidate's EU identity card.

6. If the name on the candidate's identification document is different from that on the letter from the GMC or British Council offering the candidate a place in the Examination, they must provide evidence of the type specified in Regulation 7 that they are the person named in that letter.

7. Where Regulation 6 applies, the GMC will accept only the following evidence:

  1. The candidate’s original marriage certificate.
  2. The original of a declaration from the awarding body which granted the candidate's primary medical qualification, stating that both names relate to the candidate.

8. A candidate may not be permitted to take the Examination if:

  1. They fail to bring one of the identification documents specified in Regulation 5; or
  2. The identification document provided does not bear their photograph; or
  3. ;Where Regulation 6 applies, they fail to bring one of forms of evidence set out in Regulation 7

9. If Examination staff are in any doubt about the identity of the candidate or the authenticity of the identification document or the authenticity of the evidence provided under Regulation 7, or the candidate is unable to produce any identification, the following process will take place:

  1. The Chief Invigilator will take a photograph of the candidate and ask them for a signature
  2. Where the concern is about the authenticity of the evidence provided under Regulation 7, a photocopy of the document provided will also be taken and the candidate will be asked to sign and date it to verify its authenticity.
  3. A candidate will not be permitted to take the Examination if they fail to comply with the process at paragraphs a-b above when requested to do so by the Chief Invigilator. 

10. After the Examination, and if the candidate has complied with the process set out in Regulation 9:

  1. The Chief Invigilator will report the matter to the Head of PLAB and send to them the authenticated photograph and authenticated photocopied documents.
  2. The Head of PLAB will carry out such further investigations as they consider appropriate.
  3. The Head of PLAB will notify the candidate in writing that they must produce a correct form of the identification document required by Regulation 5 and/or the correct form of evidence required by Regulation 7 (as applicable) to the Head of PLAB prior to the candidate making an application for registration.
  4. If the candidate fails to comply with paragraph c. above, the candidate’s attempt at the Examination will be automatically treated as invalid.

The Examination 

11. The Examination shall consist of 200 questions to be answered in 3 hours. 

12. The Examination shall be held under invigilated conditions and candidates shall not be permitted to take into the Examination, or refer to, any books, notes, materials or other aids.

13. The candidate shall be awarded one mark for each question answered correctly. The Examination shall be graded pass or fail.

14. A candidate may have unlimited attempts at the Examination. However, the IELTS test report form is valid for up to two years from the date of the test to which it relates. A doctor who has not attempted the Examination within this time and who has not provided alternative evidence of their proficiency in English, accepted by the GMC, will be required to re-take the IELTS test.

15. No candidate who has previously sat and passed the Examination will be allowed to resit it unless directed to do so by the GMC or they have not passed Part 2 within three years of passing Part 1.

Applications for Reasonable Adjustments

16. Temporary personal circumstances which might affect a candidate’s performance other than those which relate to a disability within the meaning of the Equality Act 2010 will not be taken into account.

17. Any candidate who is a person with a disability and who feels that the arrangements for the Examination will cause him or her a substantial disadvantage may apply to the Head of PLAB for reasonable adjustments to be made and must provide:

  1. The reasons why the candidate requires reasonable adjustments to be made, with supporting evidence if necessary; and
  2. The adjustments he or she wishes to be made.

18. The Head of PLAB will reply as soon as practicable indicating what adjustments can reasonably be made.

  1. Any candidate who has made an application under Regulation 17 and who is dissatisfied with the Head of PLAB's response may ask for the Chairman of the PLA Board to review the application.
  2. The Chairman of the PLA Board shall allow the candidate to make further representations in person or by any other convenient means if requested.
  3. Having heard or received any further representations from the candidate and having consulted with Council or their nominee and the Chairman of the Registration Reference Group, the Chairman of the PLA Board shall either agree that the requested adjustments be made to the Examination arrangements or refuse the application.
  4. The Chairman of the PLA Board shall notify the candidate of their decision and reasons in writing or by such other means as may be appropriate.

19. Nothing in Regulations 16-18 above shall be read as implying that the PLA Board will allow any adjustment to the competence requirements of the Examination on the grounds of disability.

Cheating and Other Misconduct

20. Cheating includes:

  1. Copying, stealing, appropriation or use of the work of another during or outside the Examination.
  2. Permitting or assisting another to copy or use one's own work during or outside the Examination.
  3. Taking into the Examination any material or aids.
  4. Using, attempting to use, assisting another to use or attempting to assist another to use any other unfair, improper or dishonest method to gain advantage in any part of the Examination process. For the avoidance of doubt the use or possession by any candidate of any papers, answer sheets or other examination material from a previous Examination will be considered cheating.

21. Misconduct includes:

  1. Conduct in an Examination Centre which the Chief Invigilator, Invigilator or other member of staff appointed by or on behalf of the GMC to control the conduct of candidates thinks is causing disturbance to other candidates or affecting the proper running of the Examination.
  2. Communicating or attempting to communicate with any other candidate during the course of an Examination.
  3. Removing from the Examination Centre any papers, answer sheets or other Examination materials or making or removing copies of any part of such papers, answer sheets or Examination materials.
  4. Writing in or attaching to any papers, or giving orally, any message or appeal to an Invigilator or any other member of staff.
  5. The theft or concealment of any material which is the property of the GMC or the Examination Centre
  6. Providing and/or disseminating information about the Examination content with a view to assisting current or prospective candidates whether before or after the Examination.

22. Where an Invigilator or other member of staff as described in Regulation 22 a. suspects a candidate of cheating or misconduct:

  1. They will report the matter promptly to the Chief Invigilator;
  2. The Chief Invigilator may investigate the matter further if they think it appropriate; and
  3. If the Chief Invigilator considers the suspicions of cheating or misconduct to be well founded, they will send a report on the matter to the Head of PLAB immediately following the Examination;

23. On receipt of the Chief Invigilator's report, and after carrying out any further investigation that they think appropriate, the Head of PLAB will write to the candidate. The letter shall:

  1. Notify the candidate of the receipt of the Chief Invigilator's report;
  2. Enclose a copy of the Chief Invigilator's report and any further evidence obtained by the Head of PLAB;
  3. Invite the candidate to submit observations on the matter within a period of 28 days from the date of sending of the letter;
  4. Inform the candidate that the matter is to be referred to the PLA Board for an inquiry; and
  5. Inform the candidate that their results of the Examination will be withheld pending the outcome of the PLA Board's inquiry.

24. On receipt of the candidate's observations or on the expiry of the 28 day period, whichever is the sooner, the Head of PLAB will refer the matter to the PLA Board at its next meeting.

25. The PLA Board will hold its inquiry in private and decide whether it finds the allegation of cheating or misconduct proved.

26. Where the PLA Board finds an allegation of cheating or misconduct proved, the PLA board shall impose on the candidate a penalty or combination of penalties from those set out in Regulation 27 as it thinks fit.

27. Penalties for cheating and misconduct include:

  1. Rendering the candidate's Examination attempt invalid;
  2. Reporting the matter to the Registrar of the GMC so that he can take it into account when considering a future application by the candidate for registration under the Medical Act 1983 (as amended).

Verification of Marks

28. Candidates wishing to verify any mark or marks, by means of clerical check, shall apply to the PLAB test section of the GMC. There will be a charge of £40 for a clerical check.

Adverse Circumstances which affect the Conduct of the Examination

29. If any adverse circumstances affect the conduct of the Examination for any candidates, the Chief Invigilator will take such action as they think fit. After the Examination, the Chairman of the PLA Board and the Chairman of the Part 1 Panel will consider the effect of the circumstances and take any further action they think appropriate.

30. The Chairmen will report to the Registration Reference Group the circumstances and the action taken.

Complaints

31. Any candidate who wishes to complain about any aspect of the Examination (with the exception of an application under Regulation 17 or 18) should do so in writing to the PLAB test section within 28 days of the date of the Examination.

PLAB Examination regulations Part 2

Regulations

These are the regulations which govern the PLAB Test Part 2 (“the OSCE”). You should read them carefully so that you understand the procedures. You must abide by them.

Definitions

  1. 1. The following definitions will apply to these regulations:

    1. “The Head of PLAB” - means the Head of PLAB or their nominee
    2. “The OSCE” - means Part 2 of the PLAB Test: the Objective Structured Clinical Examination

    Scope

    2. These Regulations apply to candidates taking the OSCE from May 2008.

    Taking the OSCE

    3. Before a candidate enters the OSCE they must have passed Part 1 of the PLAB test. A candidate must pass the OSCE within three years of the date on which they passed Part 1 of the PLAB test.

    4. The candidate must bring proof of their identity to the OSCE. 

    5. The following are acceptable forms of identification. To be accepted, the identification document must be original, current and bear the candidate's photograph. No other identification documents will be accepted:

    1. The candidate’s passport.
    2. The candidate's UK Immigration and Nationality Department identification document.
    3. The candidate's Home Office travel document.
    4. The candidate's UK driving licence.
    5. The candidate's EU identity card.

    6. If the name on the candidate's identification document is different from that on the letter from the General Medical Council (“the GMC”) offering the candidate a place in the OSCE, they must provide evidence of the type specified in Regulation 7 showing that they are the person named in that letter.

    7. Where Regulation 6 applies, the GMC will accept only the following evidence:

    1. The candidate’s original marriage certificate.
    2. The original of a declaration from the awarding body which granted the candidate's primary medical qualification, stating that both names relate to the candidate.

    8. A candidate may not be permitted to take the OSCE if:

    1. They fail to bring one of the identification documents specified in Regulation 5, or;
    2. The identification document provided does not bear their photograph, or;
    3. Where Regulation 6 applies, they fail to bring one of forms of evidence set out in Regulation 7.

    9. If GMC staff are in any doubt about the identity of the candidate or the authenticity of the identification document or the authenticity of the evidence provided under Regulation 7, an investigation will be conducted after the examination.

    The OSCE

    10. The OSCE shall consist of 14 five-minute stations. In addition a candidate may be required to complete one or two pilot stations but the results from the pilot stations shall not count towards the overall result.

    11. The OSCE shall be held under invigilated conditions and candidates shall not be permitted to take into the OSCE, or refer to, any books, notes, materials or other aids.

    12. Each station consists of a number of objectives. The examiners shall award grades for the objectives of each station as follows:

    • A = excellent, B = good, C = adequate, D = fail, E = severe fail.

    13. For purposes of calculation, the grades shall be converted to marks:

    • A = 4, B = 3, C = 2, D = 1, E = 0

    14. Each objective is worth a certain percentage of the total mark for the station. The examiners do not know this percentage. The score for the station is calculated by multiplying the mark given for each objective by the percentage allocated, and adding up the results. This is then compared to the borderline score for each station. If it meets or exceeds the borderline score, a pass is recorded in the station. If the score is below the borderline score a fail is recorded in the station.

    15. The total score for each exam is determined by the addition of the borderline scores for each station within it, plus one standard error of measurement.

    16. To meet the minimum standard required in each exam, candidates must meet or exceed the total score and achieve the passing score in a minimum of nine stations. Candidates must meet both criteria to be successful.

    If any examiner considers a candidate’s behaviour gives rise to cause for concern, about the candidate’s fitness to practise which cannot be addressed by the station’s marking schedule, they will complete a Cause for concern form and report the matter to the Chief Invigilator. If the Chief Invigilator considers the matter to be sufficiently serious, they will report this to the Part 2 panel for consideration at its next meeting, with the candidate’s written observations. If the panel agrees that the behaviour of the candidate is sufficiently grave, the matter will be referred to the Board to take what action it sees fit.

    17. A candidate may have four attempts at the OSCE, provided their pass in the Part 1 examination is within the currently permitted period. If they fail on the fourth attempt, they will be required to retake IELTS, or provide other evidence of their knowledge of the English language, which is accepted by the GMC, and Parts 1 and 2 of the PLAB test

    18. No candidate who has previously taken and passed the OSCE will be allowed to re-take it, unless directed to do so or they have not applied for registration within three years of passing Part 2.

    Applications for Reasonable Adjustments

    19. Temporary personal circumstances which might affect a candidate's performance other than those which relate to a disability within the meaning of the Equality Act 2010 will not be taken into account.

    20. Any candidate who is a person with a disability and who feels that the arrangements for the OSCE will cause them a substantial disadvantage may apply to the Head of PLAB for reasonable adjustments to be made.

    21.

    1. Applications for reasonable adjustments should be made when a candidate applies for the OSCE or as soon as possible afterwards and should outline:
      1. i. The reasons why the candidate requires reasonable adjustments to be made, with supporting evidence if necessary; and
      2. ii. the adjustments they wish to be made.
    2. The Head of PLAB will reply as soon as practicable indicating what adjustments can reasonably be made.

    22.

    1. Any candidate who has made an application under Regulation 21 and who is dissatisfied with the Head of PLAB response may ask for the Chairman of the PLA Board to review the application.
    2. The Chairman of the PLA Board shall allow the candidate to make further representations in person or by any other convenient means if requested.
    3. Having heard or received any further representations from the candidate and having consulted with Council or their nominee and the Chairman of the Registration Reference Group, the Chairman of the PLA Board shall either agree that the requested adjustments be made to the OSCE arrangements or refuse the application.
    4. The Chairman of the PLA Board shall notify the candidate of their decision and reasons in writing or by such other means as may be appropriate. 
  2. 23. Nothing in Regulations 20 - 23 above shall be read as implying that the PLA Board will allow any adjustment to the competence requirements of the OSCE on the grounds of disability.

Cheating and Other Misconduct

24. Cheating includes:

  1. Copying, stealing, appropriation or use of the work of another during or outside the OSCE.
  2. Permitting or assisting another to copy or use one's own work during or outside the OSCE.
  3. Taking into the OSCE any materials or aids.
  4. Using, attempting to use, assisting another to use or attempting to assist another to use any other unfair, improper or dishonest method to gain advantage in any part of the OSCE process. For the avoidance of doubt the use or possession by any candidate of any papers, answer sheets or other material from a previous OSCE will be considered cheating.

25. Misconduct includes:

  1. Conduct in the Clinical Assessment Centre which the Chief Invigilator, Invigilator or other members of staff appointed by or on behalf of the GMC to control the conduct of candidates thinks is causing disturbance to other candidates or affecting the proper running of the OSCE.
  2. Communicating or attempting to communicate with any other candidate during the course of an OSCE.
  3. Removing from the Clinical Assessment Centre any papers, answer sheets or other materials or making or removing copies of any part of such papers, answer sheets or other materials.
  4. Writing in or attaching to any papers, or giving orally, any message or appeal to an Examiner or Invigilator.
  5. The theft or concealment of any material which is the property of the GMC or the Clinical Assessment Centre.
  6. Providing and/or disseminating information about the OSCE content with a view to assisting current or prospective candidates whether before or after the OSCE.

26. Where an Examiner, Invigilator or other member of staff as described in Regulation 26a suspects a candidate of cheating or misconduct:

  1. They will report the matter promptly to the Chief Invigilator;
  2. The Chief Invigilator may investigate the matter further if they think it appropriate; and
  3. If the Chief Invigilator considers the suspicions of cheating or misconduct to be well founded, they will send a report on the matter to the Head of PLAB immediately following the OSCE.

27. On receipt of the Chief Invigilator's report, and after carrying out any further investigation that they think appropriate, the Head of PLAB will write to the candidate. The letter shall:

  1. Notify the candidate of the receipt of the Chief Invigilator's report;
  2. Enclose a copy of the Chief Invigilator's report and any further evidence obtained by the Head of PLAB;
  3. Invite the candidate to submit observations on the matter within a period of 28 days from the date of sending of the letter;
  4. Inform the candidate that the matter is to be referred to the PLA Board for an inquiry; and
  5. Inform the candidate that their Examination results will be withheld pending the outcome of the PLA Board's inquiry. 

28. On receipt of the candidate's observations or on the expiry of the 28 day period, whichever is the sooner, the Head of PLAB will refer the matter to the PLA Board at its next meeting.

29. The PLA Board will hold its inquiry in private and decide whether it finds the allegation of cheating or misconduct proved.

30. Where the PLA Board finds an allegation of cheating or misconduct proved, the PLA Board shall impose on the candidate a penalty or combination of penalties from those set out in Regulation 31 as it thinks fit.

31. Penalties for cheating and misconduct include:

  1. Rendering the candidate's OSCE attempt invalid;
  2. Reporting the matter to the Registrar of the GMC so that he can take it into account when considering a future application by the candidate for registration under the Medical Act 1983 (as amended).

Verification of Marks

32. Candidates wishing to verify any mark or marks, by means of a clerical check, shall apply to the PLAB test section of the GMC. There will be a charge of £40 for a clerical check.

Adverse Circumstances which affect the Conduct of the Examination

33. If any adverse circumstances affect the conduct of the OSCE for any candidates, the Chief Invigilator will take such action as they think fit. After the OSCE, the Chairman of the PLA Board and the Chairman of the Part 2 Panel will consider the effect of the circumstances and take any further action they think appropriate.

Complaints

34. Any candidate who wishes to complain about any aspect of the OSCE (with the exception of an application under Regulation 21 and 23) should do so in writing to the PLAB test section within 28 days of the date of the OSCE.