What can you expect on the day?

  1. Summary
  2. What is the PLAB 1 exam?
  3. When and where can I take PLAB 1?
  4. Information on booking a PLAB 1 place
  5. Cancelling or amending your booking, and our approach to other exam disruptions
  6. What resources should you use to prepare for PLAB 1?
  7. Sample questions for PLAB 1
  8. Do you have a health need that may require adjustments or support on your exam day?
  9. What can you expect on the day?
  1. Your results
  2. What do you do after you get your results?
  3. Are you eligible for an additional PLAB 1 attempt?
  4. How do you appeal your PLAB 1 result?
  5. Misconduct procedures
  6. Case study of a candidate misconduct at the PLAB exam
  7. Anti-bribery policy
  8. PLAB 1 and the Medical Licensing Assessment (MLA) requirements

When should you arrive?

When your exam is confirmed, we will tell you what time to arrive.

You’ll receive confirmation of your venue address no later than 7 days before your exam date. This will be sent directly to you from either the British Council or VICTVS, depending on the location of your exam.

If you are more than half an hour late, you will not be allowed to enter the examination room. You will not be allowed to leave the room in the first or last half hour of the examination.

You can expect to be at the examination centre for at least four hours. 

What should you bring with you?

Identification

Bring proof of identification with you. We accept a valid form of one of the following.

  • Passport
  • UK Immigration and Nationality Department identification document
  • Home Office travel document
  • UK driving licence
  • EU identity card

If you don't have one of the above you can take the exam but you'll need to provide your identification document or evidence of change of name later in the process. A digital photograph and your signature will be obtained at the venue should you attend without acceptable ID evidence.

Booking confirmation

Bring the booking confirmation that includes your GMC reference number.

If the name on your identification document is different from that on the booking confirmation from the GMC or British Council, you must also bring original evidence that you are the person named in that letter. We will accept:

  • marriage certificate
  • a declaration from the awarding body which granted your primary medical qualification, stating that both names relate to you.

Stationery

You should bring HB pencils, an eraser and a pencil sharpener.

Other items

You may bring a bottle of water in a clear bottle with all labels removed, one or two items of fruit to snack on. If you require access to a medical device or medication during your exam, please read our guidance on adjustments or support for a health need on your exam day. 

Candidates are reminded that the weather in the UK can become very cold during the winter months. You may take a jumper/cardigan in with you.

There will be a dedicated area to leave personal belongings, however space may be limited, and you do so at your own risk. We advise you only to bring essential items with you.

What can’t you take into the exam?

You can't take the following into the exam:

  • mobile phones, calculators or electronic devices including smart/AI wearable technologies
  • coats, bags, or any other personal items or equipment
  • wristwatches (analogue, digital or smartwatches)

The time will be visible in the examination hall and invigilators will provide you with time checks.

There are no waiting areas for family and friends. They will not be allowed into the venue under any circumstance.

What do you do if you are unwell on the exam day?

Before the exam

If you can’t attend the examination because of serious illness or another overwhelming problem, or if you begin to feel too unwell to start the exam after you arrive, please let us know as soon as possible.

You also shouldn’t attend the PLAB test if you, or members of your household, are unwell with a contagious or communicable illness or are displaying symptoms. Inform us as soon as you can if you cannot attend. We reserve the right to ask any candidate to wear a mask, refuse entry to the test, or ask them to leave the centre at any time if we suspect they are unwell.

During the exam

By presenting yourself for the exam and choosing to start, you’re confirming that you are fit and well enough to be assessed. If this changes during the exam, and you’re not well enough to continue, you must tell an invigilator immediately. We may request medical evidence to support an unexpected onset of illness, so we can consider appropriate next steps.  

What should you do if an unexpected or exceptional circumstance occurs during your exam?

If you experience an unexpected circumstance or procedural irregularity during your exam, you shouldn’t wait until after you receive your results to notify us. This includes anything outside of your control which could have adversely affected your performance. You should tell an invigilator as soon as possible, and ideally before leaving the exam centre. This allows us to investigate the matter while it is fresh in everyone's mind and, where possible, resolve issues on the day.

What conduct is expected during the exam?

You should familiarise yourself with the misconduct procedures before attending the exam.

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Related content

PLAB 1 preparation resources Find resources that you can use to prepare for your PLAB 1 test. 
Acceptable overseas qualifications Check your primary medical qualification is acceptable to sit the PLAB test.
Evidence of your knowledge of English Do you have the necessary knowledge of English to sit PLAB?
PLAB pass rates See recent pass rates for PLAB 1.
PLAB reports See published reports about the PLAB test.