What reasonable adjustments can we make?

  1. Summary
  2. What is the PLAB 2 exam?
  3. How will you be tested?
  4. When and where can you take PLAB 2?
  5. How do you book or cancel a place?
  6. What resources should you use?
  7. A sample OSCE station
  8. What reasonable adjustments can we make?
  1. What can you expect on the day?
  2. How do you get your results?
  3. Understanding your results
  4. What do you do after the exam?
  5. Are you eligible for an additional attempt?
  6. How do you appeal your result?
  7. Misconduct procedures

What can we do?

If you have a disability, such as a visual impairment or dyslexia (see Equality Act 2010), we may be able to make adjustments to the exam arrangements, such as producing information in large print. We won't be able to change the standard of the exam.

We'll also consider making adjustments to make sure the exam is fair for other groups of people. For example, if you're pregnant.

To 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 disability
  • What adjustments you require or the barriers you need the adjustments to address
  • An original letter, certificate or medical report, from your consultant or specialist confirming the nature of your disability and the functional impact of the disability in an exam environment
  • The letter, certificate or medical report must be addressed to the GMC and highlight which assessment the report is taking into consideration – i.e. part 1 (a multiple choice written exam) or part 2 (an OSCE examination)
  • The letter, certificate or medical report must also include recommendations for adjustments we could make.

If we receive a request without this information it will delay a decision being made. This may mean the required adjustments are not made in time for the assessment you have booked on to.

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

Examples of adjustments we have made

These are examples of reasonable adjustments we've made to the practical arrangements at the request of candidates. We make these on a case-by-case basis.

PLAB 2 examples of reasonable adjustments we've made
Candidate requirement  Reasonable adjustment made
Wheelchair user and impaired vision
  • Candidate visited the Clinical Assessment Centre before the test so they could see what adjustments were necessary.
  • All written material was placed at appropriate heights and in large font size.
  • The examination time began when the candidate’s wheelchair was in position.
  • We provided an assistant to help move the candidate between stations.
Manual dexterity difficulties
  • The examiners opened packages if requested.
  • If the station required gloves, we did not require the candidate to put them on.
Pregnant or those with mobility difficulties
  • We placed the resuscitation manikin on a couch rather than on the floor.
Dyslexia
  • We arranged for the station instructions to be printed on a colour of paper and in a font size of their choosing.
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Related content

PLAB blueprint The blueprint sets out the knowledge, skills and behaviours expected of candidates
PLAB 2 overview video Watch our video which shows what you can expect when you take PLAB 2.
PLAB pass rates See recent pass rates for PLAB 2.
PLAB reports See published reports about the PLAB test.