PROFESSIONAL AND LINGUISTIC ASSESSMENTS BOARD (PLAB)
PLAB is a two-part examination that international medical graduates (IMGs- doctors who trained outside the UK) must pass to gain General Medical Council (GMC) registration and a license to practice medicine in the United Kingdom. There are two parts to the examination as listed below.
PLAB 1
The part 1 of the PLAB examination is a written examination made up of 180 multiple choice questions to be completed within three hours. Each question starts with a short scenario followed by a question. You need to choose the right answer out of five options. It is designed to test your ability to apply your knowledge for the care of patients, and not how well you can remember and recite facts. Questions relate to current best practices in the UK, and equipment routinely available in UK hospitals.
PLAB 1 VALIDITY
There have recently been changes to the validity of the PLAB 1 results. Previously, it was valid for 3 years. This was extended from 2 years due to COVID and its impact on travel. However, since 31st March 2025, it has reverted to 2 years. This means that you will have to pass the PLAB 2 examinations within 2 years of passing PLAB 1.
You are allowed to take the PLAB 1 examination four times, after which you may only be allowed an additional attempt after applying to the GMC for a chance to do so. After the additional (5th) attempt, you will no longer be eligible to take the examination.
BOOKING PLAB 1
PLAB 1 available dates and locations can be viewed on the GMC website and booked directly on the website.
COST OF PLAB 1
PLAB 1 registration is £268. This is the cost of registering for the examination and can be paid online via a credit or debit card. In recent times, due to most Nigerian banks not accepting foreign currency charges on Naira-denominated cards, people have had to get their friends, colleagues and relatives abroad to pay for them using their cards and subsequently refunding them.
You will also need to factor in cost of travel to and from the examination centre.
PLAB 1 TEST CENTRES
ELIGIBILITY FOR PLAB 1
To be eligible for PLAB 1, you need the following:
- Primary medical qualification - This is your MBBS/MBBCH qualification
- Evidence of English knowledge - This can be either IELTS or OET
PLAB 1 PASS RATES
PLAB 1 has relatively good pass rates. In the last 3 years, there has consistently been a >70% pass rate. The pass rates for the past 5 years are outlined in the table below.
| Year | Number of Candidates who sat PLAB 1 | Number of Candidates who passed PLAB 1 | Percentage of Candidates who passed PLAB 1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 11,118 | 7,014 | 63.1% |
| 2020 | 10,601 | 7,384 | 69.7% |
| 2021 | 10,431 | 7,728 | 74.1% |
| 2022 | 14,470 | 10,259 | 70.9% |
| 2023 | 21,916 | 15,781 | 72.0% |
PREPARING FOR PLAB 1
There a many academies that offer tutorial packages to prepare candidates for the PLAB 1 examination. The PLAB 1 examination is structured to test candidates at the level of clinical knowledge of a Foundation year 2 doctor. Housemanship or house job as we refer to it in Nigeria is called foundation training in the UK. Unlike Nigeria and a lot of other places where it is a 1 year program with rotations through the 4 majors specialities (Medicine, Surgery, Paediatrics and Obstetrics and Gynaecology), in the United Kingdom, it is a 2 year program termed foundation year 1 and foundation year 2. The PLAB 1 examination is structured at the knowledge level of the foundation year 2 doctor.