What do you think of the PLAB test?

We’re reviewing the exams doctors coming from outside Europe need to take to practise in the UK.

We want to hear from doctors who’ve taken, or have an interest in, the professional and linguistic assessment board (PLAB) test. You can take part in the review online.  

Doctors who qualified outside of the UK need to show they have the knowledge and skills expected of UK graduates before we can grant their registration. Most doctors coming from outside Europe do this by taking the PLAB test. The test is set at the same level of skill and knowledge we expect of UK graduates at the point they are granted full registration, ie at the end of Foundation year one. (You can find the full criteria of who needs to take the test on our web pages.)  

We analyse the results of each round of tests to make sure they are fair, but we also review the structure and content of the test regularly to make sure it follows best practice and is fair, valid and robust.  

The current review is being led by an expert group chaired by Ian Cumming OBE, National Director for Quality at the Department of Health and former Chief Executive of West Midlands NHS.