What can you expect on the day?

You'll be sent an email before your exam date with your allocated time of arrival. You should allow plenty of time to travel to the Clinical Assessment Centre.

Pay careful attention to the address of your test venue. We have two centres operating in Manchester, and the addresses look very similar.

It’s important that you arrive at your allocated time. If you arrive early, you may be asked to leave the building until your arrival time. If you’re late you won’t be able to take the exam.

We’ll ask for your proof of identity document which we will keep until the end of the exam. Your photograph will be taken and you’ll be given an ID badge which you’ll need to wear throughout the exam.

You won’t need to take anything else with you into the exam circuit, not even your own medical equipment. Everything you need will be provided.

You’ll find some scenarios will have manikins or other equipment. Others will use an actor to play the part of a patient. During each of the exam stations you will be observed by an examiner, either in person, by telephone or via a remote camera. Examiners will not intervene, except in very limited circumstances.  

You’ll have eight minutes to complete each station. Before starting each scenario, you’ll have 1 minute and 30 seconds to travel to the next room and to read the instructions.

Our test venues operate independently, so candidates sitting the test on the same day at different venues will not take the same exam.

You can't talk to other candidates or write down or copy any details about the exam while you’re taking it.

You can't bring books, any electronic devices or watches into the exam.

Your exam may be recorded for quality or training purposes.

Identification

Bring proof of identification with you. We accept any one of the following*:

• Passport

• Full UK driving licence**

• Identity card (with a machine-readable zone)

*Those with refugee status may also provide a biometric residence permit.
**Provisional driving licences are not acceptable.

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.

If the name on your identification document is different from that on the booking confirmation from the GMC, you must 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.

If you do not provide satisfactory evidence of your identity, you will need to attend a further ID check at the point you apply for registration.

Personal belongings

You’ll be allocated a small locker only so please only bring essential items with you. Once you’ve locked your belongings away you will not be able to revisit your locker until your exam has finished.

• Dress as you would to work in a UK hospital ward or other clinical setting, as described in the NHS guidance on uniforms and workwear.
• Your attire should therefore meet the requirements of patient safety and public confidence, and as far as possible you should feel comfortable in what you wear, including being able to dress in line with your cultural practices and beliefs.
• It is good practice to be bare to the elbow with no watches, bracelets or rings. We can provide sleeve covers for you to wear if you require them.
• Sections 5.3 to 5.6 of the NHS guidance advise on other specific areas such as the wearing of ties, long hair, and any headwear.
• Any candidates wishing to wear a protective face mask can do so, though this is not mandatory. Masks can be provided on request should you need one on the day.
• You may also need to wear a GMC lanyard while you are in the GMC building, and we will provide this on the day

Before the exam

If you can’t attend the examination because of serious illness or another overwhelming problem, or begin to feel too unwell to start the exam after you arrive, please let us know as soon as possible. We will provide you with a full refund of your fee, but we may ask you to provide some evidence, depending on your situation.

You also shouldn’t attend the PLAB test if you, or members of your household, are unwell with a contagious or communicable illness (such as COVID-19) or are displaying symptoms. Inform us as soon as you can if you cannot attend. We reserve the right to ask anyone to take a lateral flow test, 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, you deem yourself fit to be assessed. Should this change at any point you must tell an invigilator immediately. Please remember that if you don't declare any illness or issues, this can't be considered once the exam has finished.

If you're taken ill unexpectedly during an exam, it will not count as an attempt and your results will be annulled.

If you have an underlying health condition or consider yourself to be clinically vulnerable, we can provide a high-grade face mask as an extra measure of protection. Please let us know on arrival if you'd like to arrange this.