Changes to PLAB 1 in 2027
We’re making some changes to how we'll deliver PLAB 1 in 2027. Find out more about these changes and get answers to any questions you may have.
The key changes in 2027 are:
- Dhaka, Alexandria, Accra and Chennai will no longer run the exam
- The February exam will not take place in international locations. UK and EU locations will continue to be available in February.
Why are you making these changes?
We’re making these changes in 2027 because international demand for PLAB 1 has started to reduce after a period of significant growth.
We regularly review how and where we deliver PLAB 1 and adjust the number of places and locations in response to candidate demand.
How have you decided which locations to remove?
We regularly assess demand across all locations using booking trends and data. We've removed locations where demand is no longer high enough to support delivery.
We’re confident that the locations we offer reflect demand and provide an appropriate geographical spread for candidates.
Where can I take the exam if my preferred location has been removed?
You can book a place at alternative locations in the UK, EU and available international centres. You can find the available options in the PLAB booking system in GMC Online.
Why are international locations not running in February 2027?
We plan exam delivery across the year based on demand in different locations. As international demand has reduced, we have consolidated international delivery into fewer sittings.
Our analysis showed that no international test date was significantly more popular than the others. By not running international locations in February 2027, we can concentrate demand across the remaining sittings. This helps us maintain a viable number of locations and a good geographical spread for candidates.
Demand remains strong in UK and EU locations, so we’ll continue to offer places there in all sittings.
What should I do if planned to sit PLAB 1 at an international location in February 2027?
You can book a place for the February 2027 sitting at locations in the UK or EU.
Alternatively, you can book your preferred international location for any other PLAB 1 sitting within your English language validity period.
You can find what's available to you in the PLAB booking system in GMC Online.
Where necessary, we'll also offer flexibility, for example where English language evidence may otherwise expire.
I can no longer sit PLAB 1 in February 2027 internationally, will you extend my English language evidence?
If your English language evidence expires before 31 May 2027 and you had planned to sit PLAB 1 in February 2027, we recommend that you sit in August or November 2026 at your preferred international location.
Alternatively, you can book the February 2027 sitting in a UK or EU location.
If you’re affected by the removal of international places in February, we may be able to extend the validity of your English language evidence so you can sit the May 2027 PLAB 1 test.
If your English language evidence expires between 1 February and 31 May 2027, email us at plab@gmc-uk.org to discuss an extension.
You must request an English language extension by 19 March 2027 to sit in May 2027. This is so we have time to process your request.
Will there be enough PLAB 1 places for everyone who wants to take it next year?
We're confident that we are offering enough places to meet demand. We'll continue to monitor booking levels and respond to changes in demand as required, including adjusting the number of places across sittings and locations where possible.
Will you reduce the number of places again in 2028?
We'll continue to monitor demand and review the number of PLAB 1 places and locations we offer each year. Any decisions for 2028 will be based on the demand we see, to support candidate access.
