PLAB is taken by doctors with an overseas primary medical qualification who want to register in the UK through the General Medical Council. This page gives you free topic-based practice sets, three worked questions, a study plan and a plain summary of how PLAB 1 and PLAB 2 work. Our questions are written by us and are not real exam questions.

PLAB Exam at a Glance

What changed for PLAB in 2026

• Oct 28, 2026: Delivery (PLAB 1) changed to Test centres in 6 UK cities, Dublin, Madrid, and British Council overseas locations (previously Test centres: 6 UK cities, Dublin, Madrid and British Council overseas centres).^[9]
• Oct 28, 2026: Delivery (PLAB 2) changed to In person at GMC Clinical Assessment Centres in Manchester (previously In person at the GMC Clinical Assessment Centres, Manchester).^[10]
• Oct 28, 2026: Next exam date (PLAB 1) changed to 5 November 2026 (previously 5 November 2026 (next: 11 February 2027)).^[3]
• Oct 28, 2026: Exam fee (PLAB 1) changed to £283 (previously £283 (from 1 April 2026)).^[5]
• Oct 28, 2026: Exam fee (PLAB 2) changed to £1,036 (previously £1,036 (from 1 April 2026)).^[5]
• Oct 28, 2026: Number of questions (PLAB 1) changed to 180 multiple choice questions (previously 180 multiple-choice questions (single best of 5)).^[1]
• Oct 28, 2026: Number of questions (PLAB 2) changed to 16 OSCE scenarios (previously 16 OSCE scenarios of 8 minutes each).^[2]
• Oct 28, 2026: Passing score (PLAB 1) changed to Angoff method + 1 standard error of measurement (previously Pass mark set per test (Angoff method + 1 SEM)).^[3]
• Oct 28, 2026: Registration deadline (PLAB 1) changed to Between 2 and 6 weeks before the test date (previously Booking may close 2–6 weeks before the test date).^[6]
• Oct 28, 2026: Retake policy (PLAB 1) changed to Up to 4 attempts; one 5th and final attempt by application (previously Up to 4 failed attempts; one 5th and final attempt by application).^[6]
• Oct 28, 2026: Retake policy (PLAB 2) changed to Up to 4 attempts; one 5th and final attempt by application (previously Up to 4 failed attempts; one 5th and final attempt by application).^[7]
• Oct 28, 2026: Score release (PLAB 1) changed to 6 weeks after the exam (previously 6 weeks after the exam (5 Nov 2026 sitting → 17 Dec 2026)).^[3]

What the PLAB is and how it works

According to General Medical Council, “PLAB 1 is a written exam made up of 180 multiple choice questions which you must answer within three hours. Each starts with a short scenario followed by a question. You need to choose the right answer out of the five possible answers given.”^[1]

PLAB is the General Medical Council's test for doctors with an overseas primary medical qualification. It has two parts. PLAB 1 is a written exam of 180 multiple choice questions, each starting with a short scenario, to be answered within 3 hours. PLAB 2 is an in-person OSCE of 16 scenarios held at the GMC Clinical Assessment Centres in Manchester, and the whole exam takes around 3 hours.

To book PLAB 1 you need an acceptable overseas primary medical qualification and verified English evidence. To book PLAB 2 you need the same qualification and a valid PLAB 1 pass, and you must pass PLAB 2 within 2 years of passing PLAB 1. After PLAB 2, your registration application should be approved within 2 years.

PLAB 1 is set using the Angoff method plus 1 standard error of measurement. For PLAB 2 you need to meet the overall pass mark and also pass a minimum number of stations. PLAB 1 results come 6 weeks after the exam; PLAB 2 results come within a month.

PLAB 1 runs in 4 sittings a year (February, May, August and November), including 5 November 2026. Test centres are in 6 UK cities, Dublin, Madrid and British Council overseas locations. Booking may close between 2 and 6 weeks before the test date and varies by location. The fees are £283 for PLAB 1 and £1,036 for PLAB 2. You can take each part until you have failed it 4 times, then apply for a 5th and final attempt. Always confirm details on the GMC website.

Worked examples: how to reason through PLAB questions

These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.

Example 1

Question: What are the signs of peritonitis on abdominal examination?

1. Board-like rigidity, rebound tenderness, and guarding
2. Soft, non-tender abdomen with active bowel sounds
3. Localized swelling without tenderness
4. Normal abdominal examination with groin pain

Answer: A. Board-like rigidity, rebound tenderness, and guarding

Explanation:

Option A is correct. Peritonitis is inflammation of the peritoneum, so the abdomen is rigid, painful on release of pressure (rebound tenderness) and guarded. Option B describes a normal abdomen, with a soft belly and active bowel sounds, which does not fit peritoneal irritation. Option C describes swelling without tenderness, which points away from an inflamed peritoneum. Option D describes a normal examination with pain elsewhere, so it does not match either. The rule to remember: a rigid, board-like abdomen with rebound and guarding means peritoneal inflammation until shown otherwise, and it needs urgent senior and surgical review.

Example 2

Question: Which vaccine is administered at birth as part of the standard UK immunization schedule for infants born to hepatitis B-positive mothers?

1. BCG vaccine
2. Hepatitis A vaccine
3. Hepatitis B vaccine
4. Rotavirus vaccine

Answer: C. Hepatitis B vaccine

Explanation:

Option C is correct. An infant born to a mother who is positive for hepatitis B surface antigen is at high risk of chronic infection, so hepatitis B vaccine is given at birth, with immunoglobulin added when the risk is high. Option A, BCG, protects against tuberculosis and is not the answer for this exposure. Option B, hepatitis A vaccine, protects against a different virus. Option D, rotavirus vaccine, protects against gastroenteritis and is not linked to maternal hepatitis B status. The rule to remember: match the vaccine to the exact maternal infection, and give it early to prevent transmission at birth.

Example 3

Question: What is Gillick competence?

1. A legal concept where a minor under 16 can consent to treatment if they demonstrate sufficient understanding
2. A test measuring a doctor's clinical competence
3. A standardized exam for medical licensing
4. A rating system for hospital quality

Answer: A. A legal concept where a minor under 16 can consent to treatment if they demonstrate sufficient understanding

Explanation:

Option A is correct. Gillick competence is the legal test for whether a young person under 16 has enough understanding and intelligence to consent to their own treatment. Option B is wrong because it confuses a legal concept with a measure of a doctor's skill. Option C is wrong because it is not an examination of any kind. Option D is wrong because it has nothing to do with rating hospitals. The rule to remember: competence is judged for each decision, based on whether the young person understands the treatment, its purpose and its consequences. It is not a fixed age cut-off.

How to use these practice tests

Start with the official GMC pages for the part you are sitting, so you know the format, the rules on eligibility and the booking steps. Then work through our sets in this order.

1. Take PLAB Test Structure and Components and PLAB Eligibility and Application Process to check you understand the process.
2. Move to the clinical sets, such as Clinical Medicine & Diagnosis, Pharmacology & Therapeutics and Surgery & Emergency Medicine. Read the explanation for every question, including the ones you got right.
3. Give extra time to Ethics & Communication, because both parts of the exam test judgement in realistic situations.
4. Keep a short list of topics you missed and return to them in later sessions.

In the final stretch, do timed sessions of the 180-question length so you get used to the pace of PLAB 1. If you are preparing for PLAB 2, practise talking through each scenario aloud with a study partner. Start the practice with Start Practice Test.

Sources & last verified

1. General Medical Council — number of questions, time limit (official source). “PLAB 1 is a written exam made up of 180 multiple choice questions which you must answer within three hours. Each starts with a short…” Verified Oct 28, 2026.
2. General Medical Council — number of questions, time limit (official source). “The exam is made up of 16 scenarios, each lasting eight minutes and aims to reflect real life settings including a mock consultation or an…” Verified Oct 28, 2026.
3. General Medical Council — passing score, next exam date, score release (official source). “We set the pass mark for each test using the internationally recognised Angoff method and include one standard error of measurement. By doing this, we…” Verified Oct 28, 2026.
4. General Medical Council — passing score (official source). “To achieve an overall pass, you must achieve both of the following: you must meet or exceed the overall pass mark you must pass a…” Verified Oct 28, 2026.
5. General Medical Council — exam fee, other (official source). “Part 1 of the PLAB test £273 £283” Verified Oct 28, 2026.
6. General Medical Council — retake policy, eligibility, registration deadline (official source). “Candidates can continue to take the exam until they have failed it four times. If you would like to take the exam again following your…” Verified Oct 28, 2026.
7. General Medical Council — retake policy, validity (official source). “If you fail the exam, you can book to take the exam again provided you meet all the requirements. You can continue to attempt the…” Verified Oct 28, 2026.
8. General Medical Council — validity (official source). “You must pass PLAB 2 within two years of passing PLAB 1. Please note that your pass date is the date you took the test,…” Verified Oct 28, 2026.
9. General Medical Council — delivery, testing window (official source). “The UK exams currently take place in: Belfast Birmingham Cardiff Edinburgh London Manchester The exam can also be taken in two EU locations: Dublin Madrid.” Verified Oct 28, 2026.
10. General Medical Council — delivery, testing window (official source). “PLAB 2 is held at our two assessment centre sites in Manchester, UK: GMC Clinical Assessment Centre 3 Hardman Square Manchester M3 3EB Find our…” Verified Oct 28, 2026.
11. General Medical Council — eligibility (official source). “To book PLAB 2 you must have an acceptable overseas primary medical qualification and a valid PLAB 1 pass. You must pass PLAB 2 within…” Verified Oct 28, 2026.
12. General Medical Council — score release (official source). “Your results will be published within a month of your exam date. Should there be any delay in the publication of your results, we'll contact…” Verified Oct 28, 2026.

How we verify: editorial & fact-checking policy. Report an error: contact us.