PLAB Exam 2026: Full Form, Fees, Dates, Eligibility, Questions

The PLAB test is your gateway to practise medicine in the UK. Applicants who have completed their medical qualifications outside the UK can start their medical practices in the UK only after qualifying for the PLAB exam. Read this article to learn about the PLAB exam UK 2026.

As a rule by law, all practising doctors in the UK must be registered with the General Medical Council (GMC), UK. Foreign nationals who wish to work as a doctor in the UK but did not pursue their medical degree in the UK, EEA or Switzerland are required to prove their ability to do so by qualifying for the PLAB exam. 

The General Medical Council (GMC) UK conducts the PLAB exam to determine whether the applicants for the exam have the right knowledge and skill set to practise medicine in the UK. There are two parts of the PLAB exam namely PLAB 1 and PLAB 2. You need to clear both PLAB 1 and PLAB 2 exams to be able to register and get a license to practise medicine in the UK. Successful test takers can register themselves with GMC UK and work in the NHS.

The PLAB exam is also in compliance with the MLA, i.e. Medical Licensing Assessment - which tests the knowledge, behaviour and skills of the doctos going to join the UK medical system. Even the questions and stations in the PLAB exam are based on the MLA content map and Both the PLAB 1 and PLAB 2 exams meet the requirements of the MLA AKT and MLA CPSA exams respectively. Note that as the PLAB exam is in compliance with the UK MLA exam, the name of the PLAB exam will get modernised in future. 

PLAB Exam 2026 Highlights

What is PLAB Exam Full Form?

The full form of PLAB exam is “Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board”. It is conducted by the General Medical Council of the UK (GMC UK) to test the skills and knowledge of foreign-qualified doctors who want to practise and work as a doctor in the UK. 

What does a PLAB Exam Test?

The PLAB exam is an important screening exam for doctors qualified outside of the UK so that they can come and practice in the UK. The exam tests:

1. Medical knowledge and clinical skills of applicants
2. Ability to apply knowledge to patient care, relevant to UK best practices.
3. Communication and decision-making in realistic settings.  

So, a PLAB exam assesses whether the International Medical Graduates (IMGs) possess the necessary medical knowledge, clinical skills, and English language proficiency to safely work as a foundation year two (F2) doctor in the UK's National Health Service (NHS)

Read: MBBS in UK

Who Needs to Take the PLAB Test?

Students who have graduated from a medical school located outside of the following locations need to take the PLAB test: 

• The UK,
• The European Economic Area (EEA), or 
• Switzerland.

The PLAB test aims to determine that you have the same knowledge and skills as a doctor who’s starting the second year of their Foundation Programme Training in the UK.

The fifth attempt is their last chance to take the PLAB exam. If a candidate does not pass on this attempt, they won't be allowed to take the exam ever again.

What to Do to Book a PLAB Test?

It must be noted that applicants cannot register for the PLAB exam directly. Instead, they need to set up their “Online GMC Account” first and insert the details of their medical qualifications and English language. The authorities will then verify the details you have entered and check if your Primary Medical Qualification (PMQ) meet the requirements of taking the exam. If all is well and done, you will be able to book part 1 of the PLAB exam, i.e. PLAB 1. PLAB 2 can be booked after clearing the PLAB 1 exam by logging into your online GMC account. 

You can set up your online GMC account on the link https://www.gmc-uk.org/gmconlinev2/signup.

Also, Check: Masters of Medicine & Health Sciences in UK

What Do You Need Before Taking the PLAB Exam?

Before taking the PLAB exam and to be able to take the exam, you will need to take some mandatory steps, which include -

1. Setting up a GMC account online
2. Showcase that your medical degree earned from abroad and your English language proficiency are acceptable for the exam and for practising medicine in the UK.

As per the proofs you provide, your details on each of the above-mentioned requirements will be verified. If you meet the requirements, you will be able to book PLAB 1. These are the additional requirements apart from the eligibility criteria for PLAB exam 2026.

What Does the PLAB Exam Involve? | An Overview of PLAB 1 and PLAB 2

You need to qualify for part 1 of PLAB exam, i.e. PLAB 1, only then you would be able to take up PLAB 2 exam. 

PLAB 1 is a written exam including 180 multiple-choice questions, also known as MCQs. Each of these questions comes with 1 correct answer. Alternatively, PLAB 2 is a practical exam, formally termed as - "Objective Structured Clinical Exam" (OSCE).

PLAB 1 Exam | Details

PLAB 1 is a multiple choice questions-based applied knowledge test (AKT) that consists of 180 unique questions. PLAB 1 aims to assess your ability to use your knowledge for the care of patients and not your ability to remember facts and book lessons. 

The PLAB 1 test must be attempted and completed by the candidates within a span of 3 hours. Every question in PLAB 1 starts with a scenario followed by a MCQ based on that scenario. 

Each question will present 5 choices and you have to select only one single best option as an answer to the problem asked.

When and where to take PLAB 1?

PLAB 1 can be taken only 4 times a year - in the months of February, May, August and November. The test can be taken either in the UK itself or in some other locations as given below.

Indian students can take PLAB 1 at GMC auhorised PLAB test centres in India, but for PLAB 2, they will be required to go to the UK.  

Note that the test location confirmation and exam venue details for the UK and EU regions will be shared with the test takers at least 1 week before the exam by the GMC-approved supplier VICTVS. 

For other locations, the same will be shared by the British Council. 

Candidates are suggested that they must contact VICTVS or the British Council directly if they do not receive the venue details at least one week before the PLAB exam. 

Questions Asked in PLAB 1 Exam: The questions in PLAB 1 are related to the current best medical practices in the UK and the equipment used routinely in the UK. Candidates will be required to answer these questions based on the established facts and not on the basis of their local arrangements. 

PLAB 2 Exam 

PLAB 2 is an objective structured clinical exam (OSCE) and involves simulated or real clinical conditions aimed at assessing the clinical skills of the candidates such as history taking, physical examination, diagnosis and counselling. 

The PLAB 2 exam consists of 16 scenarios, each of which lasts for 8 minutes and reflects real-life settings, mock consultations or acute wards. Unlike the PLAB 1 exam, dates for the PLAB 2 exam remain available throughout the year. PLAB 2  can be taken at two of the GMC Assessment Centres in Manchester, UK.

PLAB Exam Dates 2026

PLAB exam dates differ for both PLAB 1 and PLAB 2. PLAB 1 exam dates are available 4 times a year; in the months of February, May, August and November.  

The upcoming PLAB 1 dates are 12 Feb 2026 and 21 May 2026. 

Note:- The PLAB 1 exam dates are closed 6 weeks before the actual exam date for international test takers. 

PLAB 2 dates remain available throughout the year and candidates must log in and book the slots through their GMC account to know more about the availability of dates and slots for the given venue. 

PLAB Exam Eligibility Criteria 2026

Candidates must meet the following requirements to be able to sit in the PLAB exam:

• A confirmation of the completion of a previous graduation degree and that the student has passed his/her final exams. 
• Your Primary Medical Qualification (PMQ) must be in allopathic medicine awarded by an institution listed in the “World Directory of Medical Schools” and is currently accepted by GMC. Degrees taken entirely virtually (or via online mode) are not acceptable. 
• Fluency in English language must be proven by inserting your tests and results details in the “My Tests” section of the online GMC portal. These details will then be verified with the respective exam conducting bodies within 2 days. You can take either of the following English exams:
• IELTS: Only IELTS Academic is accepted to register for the PLAB 1 exam and not IELTS Indicator or IELTS Online tests. You must score an overall IELTS score of 7.5 with no less than 7.0 in each section. Note - it is advisable that students achieve the desired marks within the same test as the marks obtained after one-skill retake are not acceptable for PLAB exam. 
• OET: OET on Paper, OET on Computer and OET at Home are the accepted forms of OET exams for the PLAB 1 exam. Although, one must take the medicine version of the test. Candidates must aim to receive at least grade B in each section of the exam within one sitting. 

After fulfilling the above requirements, one can finish setting up their GMC account and book a place/slot for thr PLAB exam. 

PLAB Exam Fees 2026 | Registration and Cancellation Fees

Test takers who are required to take PLAB test must pay different fees for PLAB 1 and PLAB 2. Note that GMC UK had introduced some significant changes to PLAB 1 and PLAB 2 exam fees in year 2025, which were effective from 01 April 2025. Now GMC Uk has introduced more changes to the PLAB Exam fees 2026, which will come into effect from 01 April 2026. The PLAB exam fees for PLAB 1, PLAB 2 and the PLAB exam cancellation fees for the remaining financial year 2025 and upcoming year 2026 are given in the table below. 

Note:- If you wish to change the date of your existing PLAB exam booking, you will need to cancel your current booking by paying an applicable cancellation fee.

PLAB Exam Results 2026

The PLAB results are released 6 weeks after taking the exam. The PLAB UK exam results availability is notified to candidates over email after which candidates are required to check their results on the “My Tests” section of the GMC portal. 

The PLAB result consists of your overall test score, the minimum required score for you to pass the exam and the average score of all the test takers. 

Check the PLAB results dates for the upcoming PLAB 1 exam below. 

What to do After Qualifying the PLAB 1 and PLAB 2 Exams?

Once you clear both PLAB 1 and PLAB 2 exams, you will be eligible to apply for registration with a license to practise medicine in the UK. Make sure to get your application approved before 2 years of taking the PLAB 2 exam. Once your application is approved by GMC, you will gain registration for and can start practising as a doctor in the UK.

Also Check: MBBS in Abroad at MCI Approved Medical Colleges

PLAB Exam Contact Details for Indian Test Centres 2026

For any doubts regarding the test centre dates, special accommodations or confirmation on PLAB exam booking, Indian test takers can contact the GMC test centres in India. The contact details of PLAB test centres in India are given in table below. 

 This was all about the PLAB exam. For admission related queries, sign up for free counselling at Shiksha Abroad Counselling and request a call back from our team of expert counsellors.