How to cancel your booking and our approach to other exam disruptions

How do you cancel your exam booking?

You can cancel your exam booking in your GMC Online account. If you want to book an alternative place you must cancel your current booking first, and you can then book any other places you are eligible for.

We will deduct a PLAB cancellation fee when you cancel your place.

Are you entitled to a refund of the cancellation fee?

We will consider giving you a full refund where exceptional circumstances arise that prevent you from attending your exam such as visa refusal, the introduction of travel restrictions, ill health or bereavement.

If you believe you are entitled to a refund, you should first cancel your place and then email evidence of your circumstances. We will then consider whether we can refund your cancellation fee.

Read our information about what to do if you are sick or absent on the day.

What if you become unwell at the exam?

By attending your exam and choosing to start, you are confirming you are feeling well enough to be assessed.

If this changes during the exam at any point, and you are not well enough to continue, you must tell a GMC staff member immediately.

We will arrange for a refund of your exam fee once you provide evidence of your illness. We will also annul your result, and it will not count as an attempt.

What if the exam is cancelled by the GMC or their exam providers?

We’re committed to offering PLAB 2 dates throughout the year, and we always plan to run these as scheduled.

There may be rare occasions where it’s not possible for us to run an examination and it’s necessary for us to cancel. Should this occur, we will contact all affected candidates with as much notice as possible. We will automatically refund any booking fees, and we will offer the opportunity to book an alternative date where possible.

The GMC will not be responsible for any expenses (such as costs for visas, travel or accommodation) incurred by any candidates in such an event, and we’re unable to offer reimbursement or compensation. 

What if your exam sitting is severely disrupted by a circumstance beyond your control?

If we become aware of an exceptional circumstance at an exam venue that severely disrupts an exam sitting, such as a power cut, we will consider what support we can offer. This may include annulling a failed attempt, offering an additional attempt, arranging for candidates to sit again or extending a candidate’s eligibility period to attempt the exam.

What if your eligibility to attempt PLAB runs out due to exceptional circumstances beyond your control?

Our eligibility periods allow candidates significant time and opportunity to attempt the exam.

However, we are aware that occasionally there are exceptional circumstances which impact a candidate’s ability to attempt the exam within these periods. These include things such as the outbreak of war, severe and ongoing health issues, challenges related to pregnancy/maternity, ongoing travel restrictions, and mandatory military service.

If any of these issues impact you, please contact us as soon as possible. We will then consider what support we can offer you, such as arranging for you to sit an earlier date or extending your eligibility period to attempt the exam.