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All you want to know about PLAB {UK}

  • February 12, 2018
  • 9 min read
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All you want to know about PLAB {UK}

What is the PLAB test? 

“Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board”

The PLAB test is for doctors who have qualified overseas and wish to practise medicine in the UK under limited registration. The test assesses your ability, as a doctor, to work safely as a senior house officer (SHO) in a UK NHS hospital.

 

Plab test

How many parts to the PLAB test are there?

There are two parts:

• Part 1 is a three-hour, 200 single best answer (SBA) questions.

• Part 2 is a 14-station objective structured clinical exam (OSCE).

What are the entry requirements for the PLAB test?

Before taking the test, you must have:

• a primary medical qualification accepted for limited registration by an institution listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools

• Taken the IELTS academic modules and attained a score of at least 7.5 overall and a minimum of 7.0 for all of the four language skills.

For further information please visit the General Medical Council website.

Where can I sit the test?

Candidates can sit part 1 of the PLAB test on four different occasions each year at the GMC’s Clinical Assesment Centre in Manchester, UK. Available dates and closing dates can be found here.

Alternatively, candidates based overseas also have the option to sit part 1 in 10 countries around the world in British Council hosted locations. Most locations run part 1 twice per year and contact details for booking can be found here.

Part 2 of the PLAB test can only be sat at the GMC’s Clinical Assesment Centre in Manchester, UK and runs throughout the year. Available dates and closing dates can be found here.

How can I apply to take Part 1 ?

You must apply online through the General Medical Council (GMC) website.

What is the fee for Part 1and how can I pay?

PLAB Fees

Effective from 1 February 2016 to 31 March 2018

Effective from 1 February 2016

Part 1 of the PLAB test

£230

£230

Part 2 of the PLAB test

£840

£840

Please check updated fees here.

How many times can I attempt the test?

You can sit Part 1 as many times as you like.

You must pass part 2 within three years of the date you passed Part 1, and you are allowed a maximum of four attempts. If you do not pass Part 2 within three years of passing Part 1, or fail at your fourth attempt, you will have to re-sit Part 1 and Part 2.

What should I bring with me on the day of the exam?

You must bring your passport, your admission letter, a pencil, an eraser and a pencil sharpener.

When will I receive my results?

Part 1 results are usually available four weeks after the test.
Part 2 results are usually available two weeks after the test.
The exact date for the release of the results is announced on the test date. Results are available on the GMC website the day after they have been sent out by post.

When will I receive my results?

Part 1 results are usually available four weeks after the test.
Part 2 results are usually available two weeks after the test.
The exact date for the release of the results is announced on the test date. Results are available on the General Medical Council website

Am I eligible to take the PLAB test?

The only prerequisites for applying to sit the PLAB test are possession of an acceptable medical qualification;

Country Awarding Body Qualification

America

•American Board of Pediatrics (ABP)—>Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatrics – General Pediatrics

•American Board of Anaesthesiology Certificate of the American Board of Anaesthesiology

•The American Board of Radiology The American Board of Radiology diagnostic radiology examination

Australia/New Zealand

•Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists Fellowship of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists

•Royal Australasian College of Physicians FRACP Adult medicine or evidence of 3 years of basic training (PREP) in Australia + achievement of RACP written and clinical examinations

OR

FRACP Paediatrics or evidence of 3 years of basic training (PREP) in Australia + achievement of RACP written and clinical examinations

Australia/New Zealand The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists Fellowship of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (FRANZCR) (Clinical Radiology)

Bangladesh

•Bangladesh College of Physicians and Surgeons Fellowship in Anaesthesia or Anaesthesiology awarded since July 1999

Canada

•The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada

•The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada – diagnostic radiology examination

•Europe European Academy of Anaesthesiology or European Society of Anaesthesiology European Diploma in Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care

Hong Kong

•Hong Kong College of Physicians Membership of the Hong Kong College of Physicians

Ireland Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland MRCS (collegiate) examination

MRCSI (intercollegiate) examination

Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland

•Fellowship of the Faculty or the College of Anaesthetists of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland

•College of Anaesthetists of Ireland Fellowship of the Faculty or the College of Anaesthetists [of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland1]

•Royal College of Physicians in Ireland MRCP Medicine (Medicine of Childhood)

Malaysia

•Ministry of Health Master of Medicine (MMED) Malaysia with MRCP(UK) awarded since 1/7/2010

This must include 4 years clinical experience (required to complete MMED) plus 2 years of training

Pakistan

•College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan FCPS Paediatrics Pakistan

•College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan Fellowship in Anaesthesiology awarded since 1998

•Singapore National University of Singapore Master of Medicine (Paediatrics)

•National University of Singapore Master of Medicine (Internal Medicine) including MRCP (UK)

•Joint Committee on Specialist Training Singapore Master of Medicine (MMED) Singapore plus MRCP(UK) awarded since 1/7/2010

South Africa

•College of Anaesthetists of South Africa

•Fellowship of the College of Anaesthetists of South Africa – FCA (SA)

•Colleges of Medicine of South Africa Fellowship of the College of Radiologists of SA FC Rad Diag (SA) – Diag Rad awarded after 1 Oct 13

•Sri Lanka University of Colombo, Sri Lanka Doctor of Medicine or MD, (Anaesthesiology)

•Doctor of Medicine or MD, (Obstetrics and Gynaecology)

•Doctor of Medicine or MD, (Paediatrics)

•Doctor of Medicine or MD, (medicine) awarded after January 2017

West Africa

•West African College of Physicians Fellowship of the West African College of Physicians (Paediatrics)

West Indies

•University of West Indies Doctor of Medicine (Anaesthesia) awarded since September 2003

(Course title has since changed to •Doctor of Medicine (Anaesthesia and Intensive Care) )

Qualifications which may be acceptable

1. Aruba
Aureus University School of Medicine – formerly known as All Saints University of Medicine (until 2011)
Xavier University School of Medicine
2. Caribbean Netherlands (formerly the Netherlands Antilles)
University of Sint Eustatius School of Medicine
3. Cayman Islands
St Matthew’s University School of Medicine
4. Commonwealth of Dominica
All Saints University School of Medicine
5. Guyana
American International School of Medicine
6. India
Rajiv Ghandi University of Health Sciences – Shimoga Institute of Medical Sciences
7. Philippines
University of the East Ramon Magasaysay Memorial Medical Centre
8. Russia
Nizhny Novgorod State Medical Academy
North-Western Medical University, named after I.I. Mechnikov
Formerly known as:
St Petersburg State Medical Academy, n.a. I.I. Mechnikov
St Petersburg State Medical Academy
Saint Petersburg Medical Institute of Hygiene and Sanitation and Leningrad Medical Institute of Hygiene and Sanitation
Ryazan State Ivan Petrovich Pavlov Medical University Medical Faculty
Saint Petersburg Pavlov State Medical University
Formerly known as:
1st St Petersburg IP Pavlov Medical Institute
1st Leningrad IP Pavlov Medical Institute
St Petersburg State I.P. Pavlov Medical University
St Petersburg State Medical University
Sankt-Petersburgsij Gosudarstvennij Medcinskij Universitet
St Petersburg State Pediatric Medical Academy
Formerly known as:
St Petersburg State Pediatric Medical Institute
Leningrad Red Banner of Labor Medical Pediatric Institute
Leningrad Medical Pediatric Institute
9. Samoa
Oceana University of Medicine
10. St Kitts and Nevis
Windsor University School of Medicine (for students who graduated on or before 30 October 2012)
International University of Health Sciences
University of Medicine and Health Sciences
St Theresa’s Medical University
11. St Lucia
Destiny University School of Medicine and Health Sciences
Formerly known as:
College of Medicine and Health Sciences
International American University
Spartan Health Sciences University (for courses commenced on or after 1 January 2009)
College of Medicine and Health Sciences, St Lucia
College of Medicine, International American University
12. St Vincent and the Grenadines
All Saints University College of Medicine
13. Tanzania
Hubert Kaikuri Memorial University
14. Uganda
Kigezi International School of Medicine
15. Ukraine
Kyiv (Kiev) Medical Institute of UAFM (Ukrainian Association of Folk Medicine)
Lugansk State Medical University located in Rubizhne
Lugansk State of Medical University based in Lugansk (students who completed their studies before 30 September 2014)
Crimea State Medical University named after S I Georgievsky (only for graduates where study commenced before 1 March 2014)
Crimean Medical Institute (only for graduates where study commenced before 1 March 2014)
16. United States of America
Touro University of California College of Osteopathic Medicine (TUCOM) (this only applies to students who graduated on or after 1 January 2010)

What is the format of the PLAB test?

Domain 1 – Data gathering, technical and assessment skills – Covers history taking, physical examination, practical procedures, investigations leading to a diagnosis.

Domain 2 – Clinical management skills – Covers formulating a diagnosis, explaining something to the patient, formulating a management plan.

Domain 3 – Interpersonal skills – Covers how the candidate approaches the station: whether they establish a rapport with the patient, how they use open and closed questioning, involving the patient in their management and demonstrate their professionalism and understanding of ethical principles.

Full GMC guidelines on the test format can be found here.

Reference;

https://www.gmc-uk.org/mobile

https://www.britishcouncil.org.eg/en/exam/medical/plab

https://www.medicalexamprep.co.uk/plab-test-expect/

Author bio:

Mostafa. M. H. Haredi is a 4th year medical student in Minya Uni., Egypt.

He says – “I am a member in EMSA (Egyption Medical Students Association) which aims to help students to learn and how to research. I have published a question bank book for veterinary students and perparing for a clinical spots in anatomy. I’d like to help anyone want to know and learn”.

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