What can you expect on the day?

You will 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.

Please make sure 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.

Please ensure you wear a surgical style, three-layer mask at all times once you have entered the building.

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 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 or via a remote camera. Your exam may be recorded. 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 time to travel to the next room and to read the instructions.

This time will vary based on which venue you take your test, due to the differences in venue size and layout:

3 Hardman Street - 1 minute 45 seconds
3 Hardman Square - 1 minute 30 seconds

This is to ensure that candidates receive a consistent amount of reading time across both venues.

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.

Identification

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

• Passport

• UK driving licence

• EU identity card

*Those with refugee status may also provide a biometric residence permit

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.

• Dress as you would to work in a UK hospital ward or other clinical setting. This would normally mean bare to the elbow with no watches, bracelets or rings. Male candidates would be expected to wear a collared shirt with short or rolled sleeves and no tie. Candidates should not wear jeans, shorts or sandals.

• Due to the coronavirus pandemic, you will be required to wear a mask when entering the GMC building and in all communal corridors and waiting areas. For the PLAB 2 examination, you must wear a surgical style, three-layer mask, and one can be provided if you require it. You must wear your mask at all times whilst you are in the centre, including during your examination.

It is important that patients feel able to build relationships of trust and communicate freely with their doctors. Some patients, for example, may find that a face veil worn by their doctor presents an obstacle to effective communication. You must be prepared to respond to a patient's individual needs. Role players are told that they must make it clear if a candidate wearing a veil is unable to communicate effectively and examiners are told that they should mark the candidate accordingly.

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 considered 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 2 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.