What can you expect on the day?

  1. Summary
  2. What is PLAB 1?
  3. When and where can you take PLAB 1?
  4. Get ready to book a PLAB 1 place
  5. Our plans for releasing PLAB 1 places
  6. Cancel a PLAB 1 place
  7. What resources should you use to prepare?
  8. Sample questions
  9. What reasonable adjustments can we make?
  1. What can you expect on the day?
  2. Your results
  3. What do you do after the exam?
  4. Are you eligible for an additional attempt?
  5. How do you appeal your result?
  6. Misconduct procedures
  7. Case study of a candidate misconduct at the PLAB exam
  8. Anti-bribery policy
  9. Medical Licensing Assessment (MLA)

When should you arrive?

When your exam is confirmed, we will tell you what time to arrive. If you are sitting your exam outside the UK you will receive this information from the British Council along with details of the venue.

Due to the pandemic, it may be necessary for the venue or arrival time of your examination to change before your exam. Please look out for any updates by email and ensure you use the most up to date information when planning your attendance.

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 changes are in place due to the pandemic?

If you are sitting PLAB 1 overseas, you may need to provide evidence of your COVID-19 vaccination status to comply with local public health or government guidance. The British Council will notify you in advance of your test if you do. If you are unable to provide this evidence when asked to do so, please email the PLAB team.

General health and safety guidance may vary for our international test sittings, and this information will be confirmed by the British Council.

The restrictions introduced during the pandemic have now been eased in the UK. However, you can wear a face mask while in the venue if you wish to do so, and regular hand washing and the use of hand sanitiser is recommended (where possible).

What should you bring with you?

Identification

Bring proof of identification with you. We accept any 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.

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 must wear a face mask upon arrival and throughout the examination.

You may bring a bottle of water in a clear bottle with all labels removed, one or two items of fruit to snack on and any medications you may require.

Please note that we no longer allow candidates to enter the exam hall with watches or keep them on desks. This includes basic analogue watches, all digital watches and smart watches.
 
The time will be visible in the examination hall and invigilators will provide you with time checks.

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.

What shouldn't you bring?

You don't need to bring the following into the exam:

  • a calculator or any other equipment.

  • wristwatches (analogue, digital or smartwatches)

  • coats, bags, telephones or other electronic devices

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 at 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 do not declare any illness or issues, this cannot be taken into account once the exam has finished.

COVID 19

Please do not attend the PLAB test if you, or members of your household, have COVID-19 or are displaying symptoms. Inform us as soon as you can if you cannot attend. 

If we are concerned about the COVID status of any attendee of the PLAB  examination, we reserve the right to refuse entry to the test or ask them to leave the centre at any time.

If you cannot attend the examination because of serious illness or another overwhelming problem, we will make a full refund of your fee. If you are taken ill unexpectedly during an exam, it will not count as an attempt and your results will be annulled.

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 blueprint The blueprint sets out the knowledge, skills and behaviours expected of candidates.
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.