Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB)

Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) is the professional exam which has to be given by the doctors who have completed their studies overseas and wants to practice in UK. The doctors who wants to practice medicine in UK, have to give a test. The test is conducted by GMC i.e., General Medical Council. The test increases the standard of medical practice in UK. It is conducted to ensure that the doctors who have completed their studies overseas have the right knowledge to practice medicine in UK. UKMLA i.e., UK Medical Licensing Assessment exam which aims to start in 2022. UKMLA exam is going to replace PLAB test probably after 2 years.

PLAB: Eligibility Criteria

The candidates who are a graduate from a medical school outside UK, European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, then the candidates are eligible to give Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) test.
The candidates must have taken the IELTS and attained a score atleast 7.5 overall and 7.0 minimum for all language.
An EEA national or person relying on enforceable community rights, with a non-EEA primary medical qualification
A UK or non-EEA national not relying on enforceable community rights with a non-EEA or UK primary medical qualification.

PLAB: Part 1

PLAB test part 1 is taken completely on the basis of clinical subjects. In the test the candidates get the questions related to the current equipment which are available in the UK hospitals. The PLAB part 1 is a written examination which consist of 180 multiple choice questions. The duration of PLAB part 1 test is three (3) hours.

PLAB Part 1: Test Date

The PLAB part 1 is conducted four times every year in UK and in overseas locations. All the test centres allotted are across the world. The candidates must check out the Test centre to be appear on the test, the candidates can choose their test centre. Test dates are available four times in a year.

PLAB Part 1: Syllabus

Medicine
Surgery
Psychiatry
ENT
O-G
O-P

PLAB: Part 2

PLAB Part 2 test is fully an Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE). The test checks your ability to apply your clinical knowledge as well as the appropriate fact on spot. PLAB Part 2 test can be given only in Manchester, UK. The test covers 18 scenarios/patients, for each scenario/patients 8 minutes have been given. The test gives you all the probably situation that a UK doctor can expect to handle the case on the first day of Foundation Year. The duration of the exam is 3 hours. The candidates or the doctors get one and half minute between each scenario to read the guidelines and the patients history file.

The test includes the topics, skills and procedures that a doctor who have to pass the test so, that GMC knows that the doctors are equally able as the UK doctors are. It also provides details of the professional qualities expected of a doctor working in the UK.

The PLAB part 2 test is conducted over 18 patients in 3 parts. Total marks for 3 parts are 12 marks that mean each part contains 4 marks each. The passing marks for this test is 6 marks out of 12 marks.