PLAB UK Exam Preparation
Professional Licensing Assessment Board Examination - Your Gateway to UK Medical Practice
Comprehensive coaching under the mentorship of Dr. Sourav Sir with proven first-attempt success
What is PLAB - UK?
Professional Licensing Assessment Board Examination
The PLAB (Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board) examination is the official medical licensing examination conducted by the General Medical Council (GMC), United Kingdom, for International Medical Graduates (IMGs) who wish to practice medicine in the UK.
PLAB is designed to assess whether a doctor who has qualified outside the UK possesses the same level of medical knowledge, clinical competence, communication skills, and professional behaviour as a doctor who has completed Foundation Year 2 (FY2) training in the UK.
Unlike academic or theoretical entrance examinations, PLAB is a real-world clinical competency assessment. It focuses on how a doctor:
- Makes safe and effective clinical decisions
- Manages common medical and surgical conditions
- Communicates with patients, relatives, and colleagues
- Demonstrates ethical judgment and professionalism
- Works within NHS systems and guidelines
The exam is carefully structured around NHS clinical practice, current NICE guidelines, patient safety protocols, and UK medico-legal standards—making it a true test of readiness to work as a doctor in the UK healthcare system.
Why is PLAB Important?
PLAB is important because it is the primary and most widely accepted gateway to GMC registration for non-UK doctors. Without GMC registration, a doctor cannot legally practice medicine in the UK.
- Mandatory for most non-UK, non-EEA medical graduates
- Recognized and trusted by all NHS hospitals and trusts
- Ensures doctors meet UK patient safety and clinical standards
- Opens doors to structured medical careers within the NHS
Clearing PLAB allows doctors to move beyond theory and enter hands-on clinical roles, making it one of the most powerful licensing exams for global medical careers.
Who Should Take PLAB?
PLAB is ideal for medical graduates and professionals who are serious about building a long-term clinical career in the UK.
This exam is particularly suitable for:
- MBBS / MD graduates from India and other non-UK countries
- Doctors aiming to work in NHS hospitals as FY2, SHO, or Trust Grade doctors
- Medical professionals seeking international clinical exposure
- Candidates planning to pursue UK specialty training pathways such as MRCP, MRCS, or GP training
- Doctors who want global recognition, stable career growth, and work-life balance
PLAB is often chosen because it offers a clear, structured, and achievable pathway compared to other international licensing routes.
Why PLAB Matters for Career Growth
PLAB is not just an examination—it is a career-defining licensing milestone.
With PLAB qualification, candidates can:
- Apply for GMC registration and obtain a license to practice
- Secure NHS jobs such as FY2, Trust Grade Doctor, or SHO
- Gain eligibility for UK specialty training programs
- Build internationally recognized clinical experience
- Progress toward UK Permanent Residency (ILR) and eventual citizenship
More importantly, PLAB-trained doctors are respected globally because the exam ensures strong clinical reasoning, ethical practice, and patient-centered care.
For many doctors, PLAB becomes the foundation of a successful UK medical career, offering professional stability, global exposure, and long-term growth opportunities within one of the world's most advanced healthcare systems.
PLAB Requirement Guide
Universities / Institutions Accepting PLAB
PLAB is not a university entrance exam but is accepted by:
- General Medical Council (GMC – UK)
- All NHS Trusts
- UK hospitals offering:
- Foundation Year 2 posts
- Trust Grade / Non-Training posts
- Specialty Training pathways
Eligible Academic Background
Candidates must have:
- Primary Medical Qualification (MBBS / MD / equivalent)
- Degree listed in World Directory of Medical Schools
- Completed internship
- Valid English proficiency (IELTS / OET as per GMC norms)
PLAB Exam Dates
PLAB 1 - Written Examination
Conducted multiple times a year worldwide
- Format: Single Best Answer (SBA)
- Questions: 180 MCQs
- Duration: 3 hours
- Marking: No negative marking
- Focus: Clinical knowledge & application
PLAB 2 - Clinical OSCE
Conducted throughout the year in the UK
- Format: Objective Structured Clinical Examination
- Stations: 18 stations
- Duration: 2 hours
- Assessment Areas:
- Clinical examination
- Communication skills
- Ethics & professionalism
- Practical procedures
(Exact dates depend on GMC scheduling and availability)
Paper Structure of PLAB – UK
PLAB 1 – Written Examination
- Format: Single Best Answer (SBA)
- Questions: 180 MCQs
- Duration: 3 hours
- Marking: No negative marking
- Focus: Clinical knowledge & application
PLAB 2 – Clinical OSCE
- Format: Objective Structured Clinical Examination
- Stations: 18 stations
- Duration: 2 hours
- Assessment Areas:
- Clinical examination
- Communication skills
- Ethics & professionalism
- Practical procedures
Full PLAB Syllabus (Topic-Wise)
Clinical Medicine
- Cardiology
- Respiratory Medicine
- Gastroenterology
- Neurology
- Endocrinology
- Renal & Urology
Surgery
- General Surgery
- Orthopedics
- Trauma & Emergency care
Obstetrics & Gynecology
- Antenatal care
- Labor management
- Gynecological emergencies
Pediatrics
- Neonatology
- Growth & development
- Pediatric emergencies
Psychiatry
- Common psychiatric disorders
- Risk assessment
- Mental Health Act
Ethics & Professionalism
- GMC guidelines
- Consent & confidentiality
- Patient safety
Communication Skills
- Breaking bad news
- History taking
- Shared decision-making
Best Books & Resources for PLAB
Recommended Preparation Resources
Question Banks
- PLABABLE Question Bank
Handbooks
- Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine
- Oxford Handbook of Clinical Specialties
Guidelines
- NICE Guidelines
- GMC Good Medical Practice
OSCE Manuals
- PLAB 2 OSCE Manuals
Additional Resources
- Our Institute's Study Materials
Our Study Materials & Classes
Comprehensive, clinically accurate, and UK-oriented PLAB preparation resources designed to bridge the gap between Indian medical education and UK NHS expectations.
What You Get in Our Study Materials
3500+ Pages of Advanced-Level Notes
Meticulously curated notes covering every topic tested in PLAB 1 and PLAB 2, written in simple, exam-focused language. Dr. Sourav Sir personally ensures that the notes reflect how UK doctors think, how NHS guidelines are applied, and what GMC examiners expect.
Concept-Wise Structured Content
The entire material is organized in a clear, concept-wise structure: Basic concept → Clinical correlation → UK guideline application → PLAB-style questions → Common examiner traps. This helps students build strong conceptual foundations and retain information long-term.
Solved PLAB-Standard MCQs
Hundreds of solved PLAB-standard MCQs in Single Best Answer (SBA) format with step-by-step reasoning, explanations of why options are correct/incorrect, and clinical take-home messages. Dr. Sourav Sir trains students to think like PLAB examiners.
High-Yield Clinical Flowcharts
Complex clinical topics simplified into high-yield flowcharts reflecting real NHS clinical pathways. Examples include chest pain management, sepsis protocols, acute asthma pathways, stroke & TIA approach, and obstetric/pediatric emergencies.
Updated NICE & GMC Guidelines
Materials fully aligned with latest NICE and GMC guidelines, including guideline-based management steps, ethical & professional standards, consent protocols, and UK medico-legal principles.
OSCE Checklists & Case Walkthroughs
Detailed OSCE checklists and real-case walkthroughs for PLAB 2, structured exactly as expected in the UK exam. Each case includes communication framework, history-taking, examination sequence, differential diagnosis, and safety-netting.
Designed Specifically for First-Attempt Success
Every page of our study material is created with one clear goal: Clear PLAB confidently in the first attempt. Under Dr. Sourav Sir's mentorship, students do not just read the material—they understand it, apply it, revise it strategically, and practice it under exam conditions.
Special Features of Our Classes
Our PLAB preparation classes are designed as a UK clinical orientation program, helping students think, act, and communicate like NHS doctors.
UK-Focused Clinical Teaching Style
Our classes follow a strictly UK-focused clinical teaching approach, aligned with GMC expectations and NHS working standards. Instead of teaching medicine the traditional textbook way, Dr. Sourav Sir trains students to:
- Prioritize patient safety
- Follow NICE-recommended management
- Use UK clinical terminology
- Avoid unsafe or outdated practices common in non-UK systems
Concept → Case → Question Walkthrough Model
Every topic is taught using a three-layered learning model personally designed by Dr. Sourav Sir: Concept → Case → Question. This ensures students understand why something is done, know when to apply it clinically, and answer how PLAB expects the response.
Real NHS-Based Scenarios
Our classes are enriched with authentic NHS-based clinical scenarios, mirroring exact situations encountered in PLAB exams and UK hospitals. These scenarios cover emergency department cases, GP consultations, ward-based decision-making, and ethical dilemmas.
Live Interactive Classes
All classes are conducted as live, interactive sessions with real-time clinical discussions, scenario-based questioning, immediate doubt clarification, and active participation in case reasoning.
Daily Doubt-Clearing Sessions
We offer daily structured doubt-clearing support, ensuring that no confusion accumulates during preparation. Students can clarify MCQ logic errors, OSCE communication doubts, guideline interpretation, and conceptual weaknesses.
OSCE-Oriented Communication Training
PLAB 2 is as much about how you communicate as what you know clinically. Our classes include dedicated OSCE communication training, focusing on patient-centered language, empathy, professionalism, structured explanations, and shared decision-making.
Outcome: Confidence, Clarity & First-Attempt Success
Through this carefully structured teaching system, students do not just prepare for PLAB—they transform into UK-ready doctors. Under Dr. Sourav Sir's mentorship, students gain clinical clarity, exam confidence, communication excellence, and long-term NHS readiness.
One-to-One Guidance Section
Personalized mentorship under Dr. Sourav Sir to ensure focused, individualized attention throughout your PLAB journey.
Individual Performance Analysis
Each student undergoes detailed, ongoing performance analysis at multiple stages of preparation including evaluation of mock test results, identification of conceptual vs. application errors, MCQ pattern analysis, and OSCE performance observation.
Study Plan Customization
No two students are given the same study plan. Based on individual performance and availability, personalized daily and weekly schedules are created with topic prioritization adjusted according to strengths and weaknesses.
Weak-Area Identification
One of the biggest reasons students fail PLAB is unidentified weak areas. Through one-to-one mentorship, weak clinical subjects are identified early, confusing concepts are broken down again, and OSCE communication flaws are corrected.
Exam Readiness Tracking
Preparation is continuously monitored using a structured readiness-tracking system including mock score progression, speed and accuracy analysis, OSCE station confidence evaluation, and stress/time-management assessment.
PLAB 2 Communication Feedback
PLAB 2 success depends heavily on communication style, confidence, and professionalism. Our one-to-one mentorship provides individual feedback on tone, body language, and phrasing, correction of robotic or unsafe statements, and improvement of patient-centered communication.
Additional One-to-One Support Elements
Specialized Mock Test Structure
Mock tests are not just practice tools—they are the backbone of PLAB success. Our specialized mock test system ensures students are fully prepared for both PLAB 1 and PLAB 2.
PLAB 1 Mock Test Structure
Full-Length Mock Tests
Multiple full-length PLAB 1 mock tests replicating the real exam format with same SBA pattern, real exam difficulty level, and 3-hour exam stamina training.
Sectional & Mixed Mocks
Sectional mocks to strengthen individual subjects and fix recurring topic-wise mistakes. Mixed mocks to train brain switching between subjects and improve adaptability.
Detailed Answer Explanations
In-depth, concept-oriented explanations for every mock question including clinical reasoning behind correct answers and why other options are unsafe or incorrect.
PLAB 2 Mock Test Structure
OSCE Simulation Mocks
Realistic OSCE simulation mocks mirroring actual exam conditions with timed stations, realistic patient scenarios, UK-style examiner expectations, and pressure simulation.
Examiner-Style Marking
Evaluation using authentic examiner-style marking criteria similar to GMC standards, focusing on communication clarity, patient safety, logical consultation flow, and professional behavior.
Video-Based Feedback
Video-based performance feedback allowing students to observe their own communication style, identify body language issues, improve tone and empathy, and eliminate nervous habits.
Performance Analytics
Every test generates detailed performance analytics including accuracy trends, time-management patterns, subject-wise performance, and OSCE station-wise scoring.
Strength-Weakness Reports
After every mock, students receive clear strength-weakness reports highlighting strong scoring areas, identifying dangerous weak zones, and revealing repeated mistake patterns.
Improvement Roadmap
Each mock is followed by a structured improvement roadmap telling students what to revise, how to revise, which topics to prioritize, and which mistakes to avoid in the next test.
Admission Assistance
Clearing PLAB is only half the journey. We provide end-to-end admission and career assistance to ensure students move smoothly from PLAB success to NHS employment.
GMC Registration Guidance
Complete guidance for creating and managing GMC online account, verification of primary medical qualification, internship documentation compliance, English language requirement submission, and application timeline planning.
NHS Job Application Support
Support with understanding NHS job portals, identifying suitable FY2 / Trust Grade / SHO roles, application timing strategies, and understanding job descriptions and requirements.
CV & Interview Preparation
UK-standard medical CV structuring, emphasis on clinical safety and teamwork, reflective practice and audit discussion, and NHS-style competency-based interview questions.
Hospital Shortlisting
Assistance in identifying IMG-friendly hospitals, understanding departmental support systems, evaluating location, workload, and supervision, and matching hospital choice with career goals.
Visa & Relocation Guidance
Guidance covering visa category understanding and documentation, timeline planning post-job offer, basic relocation planning and preparation, and understanding NHS induction processes.
Additional Admission Support
Career pathway counseling, advice on portfolio building, long-term specialty planning guidance, ethical practice orientation for NHS work, and continuous post-placement support.
Outcome: From PLAB Success to NHS Career
Through this comprehensive admission assistance system, students do not feel lost after clearing PLAB. They move forward with clarity, confidence, and structured guidance to achieve smooth GMC registration, strong NHS job placement, professional interview performance, safe UK transition, and long-term career stability in the UK.
How to Register for PLAB – UK?
Step-by-Step Process
Create GMC Online account
Begin your PLAB journey by creating an official GMC online account
Verify medical qualification
Submit your primary medical qualification for verification by GMC
Book PLAB 1
Schedule your PLAB 1 examination at a convenient test center
Clear PLAB 1
Successfully pass the PLAB 1 written examination
Book PLAB 2 (UK)
Schedule your PLAB 2 OSCE examination in the UK
Apply for GMC registration
Submit your GMC registration application after clearing both exams
Start NHS job applications
Begin applying for NHS positions with your GMC registration
Student Testimonials
Success stories from our students who achieved their dream of practicing medicine in the UK
"Cleared PLAB 1 in first attempt with excellent guidance. Dr. Sourav Sir's clear explanations and exam-oriented approach helped me understand how PLAB thinks, not just what to study."
"OSCE training was exactly like the real PLAB 2 exam. Under Dr. Sourav Sir's guidance, I walked into PLAB 2 feeling prepared, confident, and calm."
"The mock tests felt tougher than the real exam, which helped me stay calm during PLAB 1. The feedback system is extremely detailed and practical."
"What makes this institute different is personal attention. Dr. Sourav Sir always knew exactly where I was going wrong and guided me step by step."
"This course doesn't just prepare you for PLAB—it prepares you to think like a UK doctor. The clinical reasoning approach is unmatched."
"From PLAB preparation to GMC registration guidance, everything was explained clearly. I never felt lost. Dr. Sourav Sir's mentorship gave me confidence not just for exams, but for NHS work."
"Mentorship and mock feedback made all the difference. Dr. Sourav Sir personally helped me correct mistakes before they became habits."
"I was confused and overwhelmed before joining, but Dr. Sourav Sir simplified everything. His one-to-one guidance and mock analysis helped me clear PLAB 1 confidently in my first attempt."
Detailed success stories, score improvements, and NHS placement journeys can be shared during counseling sessions
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PLAB difficult?
PLAB is considered challenging but very achievable for international medical graduates when approached with the right strategy. The difficulty does not lie in remembering rare facts, but in applying core medical knowledge exactly the way the UK's NHS system expects.
Under Sourav Sir's guidance, students are trained to think like NHS doctors from day one. Complex concepts are simplified, repeatedly revised through cases, and reinforced using UK-focused MCQs and OSCE simulations—making the exam far more manageable, even on the first attempt.
How many attempts are allowed for PLAB?
Candidates are allowed a maximum of 4 attempts for PLAB 1 and 4 attempts for PLAB 2. However, repeated attempts are strongly discouraged because:
- GMC closely reviews repeated failures
- Confidence drops with each unsuccessful attempt
- Visa and time costs increase
This is why Sourav Sir's classes focus on first-attempt success, with structured preparation, readiness tracking, and exam-standard mocks to ensure students appear only when fully prepared.
Is IELTS mandatory for PLAB?
Yes. IELTS Academic or OET is mandatory for GMC registration.
- IELTS: Overall 7.5, minimum 7.0 in each section
- OET: Minimum Grade B in all four modules
While IELTS/OET is not required to book PLAB 1, it is compulsory before GMC registration. Our institute guides students on when to attempt language exams, how to balance PLAB preparation alongside IELTS/OET, and how to avoid unnecessary delays.
Can I work in the UK after clearing PLAB?
Yes. After clearing PLAB 1 and PLAB 2, completing GMC registration, and securing a job offer, you can work as a doctor in NHS hospitals. Most candidates start at:
- FY2 (Foundation Year 2)
- Trust Grade / SHO level
Sourav Sir's mentorship extends beyond exams—helping students understand NHS roles, job expectations, rota systems, payscales, and workplace culture so that the transition to UK practice is smooth and confident.
How long does PLAB preparation take?
On average, 6–9 months of dedicated preparation is ideal:
- PLAB 1: ~4–6 months
- PLAB 2: ~2–3 months
The exact duration depends on:
- Your clinical foundation
- Recent graduation or work gap
- English communication skills
Through personalised study plans, Sourav Sir ensures that every student prepares at a pace that maximises retention without burnout.
Is PLAB easier than USMLE or AMC?
PLAB is different, not necessarily easier. It focuses more on clinical practicality, ethics, and communication rather than deep basic sciences. Doctors who enjoy patient-based learning often find PLAB more aligned with real-world medicine.
Is PLAB accepted worldwide?
PLAB is primarily for UK GMC registration. However, UK clinical experience gained after PLAB is highly respected and can strengthen applications for Middle East, Australia, Ireland, and academic/research roles globally.
What is the passing score for PLAB 1?
PLAB 1 uses a variable pass mark set by the GMC for each exam based on difficulty level. There is no fixed percentage. This is why exam-oriented preparation and mock score benchmarking are critical.
What makes PLAB 2 difficult for Indian students?
PLAB 2 challenges students mainly in communication style, consent and ethics, breaking bad news, and empathy-based scenarios. Sourav Sir's OSCE training focuses deeply on UK communication frameworks, examiner expectations, and repeated role-play practice to convert these weaknesses into strengths.
Can I prepare for PLAB while working or doing internship?
Yes. Many students successfully prepare alongside internships or clinical jobs. Our program offers recorded & live classes, flexible study schedules, and targeted revision plans allowing working doctors to prepare efficiently without compromising clinical duties.
Is coaching mandatory for PLAB?
Coaching is not mandatory, but structured mentorship significantly improves first-attempt success rates. Self-study students often struggle with direction, resource overload, and exam strategy—areas where expert guidance makes a decisive difference.
Why choose Sourav Sir's PLAB program?
Because it combines deep conceptual clarity, NHS-aligned teaching, personal mentorship, high-yield mocks, and honest exam readiness feedback. Students are not just trained to pass PLAB—but to practice safely and confidently as NHS doctors.
Our counselling team and Sourav Sir personally address individual concerns to ensure clarity at every step of your UK medical journey.