Do you have a health need that may require adjustments or support on your exam day?

What can we do to support you?

If you have an additional health need, you'll need to inform us if it may impact your exam performance. You'll also need to inform us if this means you require specific support or access to devices/medication on the day of your exam.

We won’t be able to change the standard of the exam or make arrangements on the day if we weren't aware of the support required previously.

We offer adjustments on a case-by-case basis, using the information and evidence you provide. These are examples of reasonable adjustments we’ve made in the PLAB 2 exam:

Candidate requirement

Wheelchair user and impaired vision

Reasonable adjustment made:

• Candidate visited the Clinical Assessment Centre before the test to identify necessary adjustments.
• All written material was placed at appropriate heights and in large font size.
• Examination time began when the candidate’s wheelchair was in position.
• An assistant was provided to help move the candidate between stations.

Manual dexterity difficulties

Reasonable adjustment made:

• Examiners opened packages if requested.
• If the station required gloves, the candidate was not required to put them on.

Pregnant or those with mobility difficulties

Reasonable adjustment made:

• The resuscitation manikin was placed on a couch rather than on the floor.
• Considering permission of the use of a TENS machine during the exam.

Dyslexia

Reasonable adjustment made:

• Station instructions were printed on coloured paper and in a font size of the candidate’s choosing.

Type 2 diabetes

Reasonable adjustment made:

• The candidate was permitted to take glucose monitoring and insulin equipment into the exam (after inspection from invigilator).
• The candidate was permitted to bring additional food items into exam.

What do you need to do?

So that we can make a decision on any adjustments, you must send us the following information:

• Details of why you require a reasonable adjustment, such as the nature of your health needs
• What adjustments you require or the barriers you need the adjustments to address
• An original letter, certificate or medical report, from an appropriate professional confirming the nature of your health needs and the functional impact of your health needs in an exam environment
• The letter, certificate or medical report must highlight which assessment the report is taking into consideration – i.e. PLAB 2 (an OSCE examination)
• The letter, certificate or medical report must also include recommendations for adjustments we could make. For example, if extra time is requested, your report should recommend how much additional time is required and what the considerations were in reaching this figure.

If we receive a request without this information, it will delay our decision.

When do you need to do this?

If you believe you need an adjustment, you should contact us before booking your exam to discuss this with us. This is to make sure we have time to review your request and agree a date that we can run an exam with the adjustments you require in place.

If you book an exam before requesting any adjustments you need, this may mean we are not able to make the required adjustments for the exam you have booked on to.

If you have already booked an exam and require adjustments, you should contact us as soon as possible. We may need to rearrange your test date to allow us time to put adjustments in place.

What if you disagree with the adjustments we have offered?

If you wish to request different adjustments to those we have offered, we may ask you for further information and evidence so we can consider your request further.

If you do not agree with our final decision, you can ask for this to be considered under our complaints procedure by emailing feedback@gmc-uk.org.

Please contact us as soon as possible to discuss your requirements.