PLAB Exam

What is the PLAB exam?

The PLAB exam is a test for doctors who have trained in other countries but want to practice medicine in the UK. Passing its two parts allows you to work as a doctor in the UK's healthcare system.

PLAB Roadmap for Indian MBBS Graduates

Indian Med Graduates, those who are looking to qualify and work as doctors in the UK, can look for two pathways.

1. PLAB: It is ideal for those who have just graduated and start the journey immediately after their MBBS degree. With this pathway, they get more exposure to UK Healthcare System (NHS) and are licensed to work at the foundation level.
2. MRCP: This is a direct entry to the Specialty Program in UK. But requires 2 years of experience after graduation and is ideal for working doctors in India. This exam consists of 3 parts - MRCP Part 1, MRCP Part 2 and PACES.

Medical Education in UK

Let's understand the Medical Education in UK. First, why is it typically different from Indian Medical Program in the following ways?

1. MBBS Course duration varies from 5-7 Years, against the standard duration of 5.5 Years in India.
2. Speciality Training (Equivalent to MD/MS in India) requires a minimum of 2 years of Clinical exposure after a Bachelor's in India. Anyone can start immediately after the MBBS Course.
3. Duration of the Residency Program varies from 3-5 years. It depends upon the Specialty type.
4. Different Exams depending upon specialty like MRCP for Medicine, MRCS for Surgery, MRCBG for OBGY, etc.

UK Medical Course Duration

Below is the journey of a student looking to pursue a Medicine Course in UK. To reach a speciality, it may take 12- 15 Years of Training. And for Super Speciality (equivalent to SS in India), it may take up to 17 Years.

Medical school- 5-7 years

Foundational training- 2 years (Termed as FY1 and FY2)

Core Training- 2 years

Specialty Training- 3-8 years (incl. sub specialty duration as well)

PLAB Pathway Steps

Below are the steps needed to complete during the PLAB Pathway

1. Check Eligibility
2. Set up GMC Account
3. English Proficiency Exam such as IELTS & OET
4. PLAB Exam
   • PLAB 1
   • PLAB 2
5. GMC registration
6. Cost of the PLAB Pathway
7. Job and Career after PLAB

PLAB Exam Eligibility

Below are the eligibility criteria to be fulfilled by any aspirant for the PLAB pathway-

Qualification: MBBS degree from India or Indian Students who did their Medicine Course from Georgia/ Russia/ Philippines / China/ Nepal, etc. are also eligible.

Internship: Full 12 months internship, completed in a GMC approved College. Indian internship accepted for full registration. Georgia/ Russia/ Philippines/ China / Nepal, etc. usually cover the Clinical Rotation part in 6 Years of their Medicine course. They need to show a certificate of 12 months' equivalent credits.

GMC Account Setup

1. GMC Online Account: Register for a GMC Online account on the GMC website. Upload the Indian /Abroad College MBBS degree Mark sheet and verify that it's acceptable.
2. English Test: Take IELTS/ OET early (final year MBBS or start of internship). Enter your scores on GMC website. They will respond within 2 -3 working days.
3. Good Standing Certificate: Obtain a Certificate of Good Standing from the State Medical Council
   • This confirms your valid registration.
   • There is no disciplinary action against you.
   • You have maintained ethical & professional conduct as per council rules.

English Proficiency

Required for GMC and visa. Obtain either:

1. IELTS (Academic): ≥7.0 in each section and ≥ 7.5 overall in a single take.
2. OET (Medicine): ≥Grade B in all four sections, in a single take.

These certificates must be valid (not less than 2 years old) at the time of booking PLAB 1 and at GMC application.

PLAB Exam

The PLAB exam is the test international doctors take to practice in the UK. It checks that you have the same medical knowledge and skills as a doctor just starting their second year of training in a US hospital (like a first-year resident).

The exam has two separate parts:

1. PLAB 1 Exam

It's a theory based Exam checking your Clinical Knowledge. It can be taken in major Indian cities (Prometric centres). You should start PLAB 1 exam prep in the 3rd/4th Year of MBBS to align with your studies without affecting university exams. In the Final Year, you should write PLAB 1 Exam.

• It covers a wide range of topics, including diseases, surgery, and important rules about medical ethics and law.
• Exam Format: 180 MCQs, Single Best Answer questions.
• Duration: 3 hrs
• Question Style: Short clinical scenarios with 5 choices, select the SBA
• Focus: Common, important conditions seen in UK practice emergencies, patient safety, prescribing, etc.
• Marking Scheme: 1 mark for every correct answer /No negative marking
• Pass Ratio is between 50 to 60%

2. PLAB 2 (Clinical OSCE)

This OSCE test checks if you have the clinical skills to work as a junior doctor (FY2) in a UK hospital. The exam takes place in Manchester, UK. It helps you get ready for the PLAB 2 exam during your internship. After your internship, you can fly to the UK and take the PLAB 2 exam. This test is often available every month.

Exam Format: 16-18 stations, each 8 minutes

• Assessment Methodology: Each station is assessed in three domains - data gathering, interpersonal skills and clinical management.
• Qualifying Criteria: The minimum number of stations you need to pass depends on the exam's difficulty; overall pass/fail result is based on your total score across all stations, not any fixed number of stations.
• Eligibility: Appear on PLAB 2 within 2 years of passing PLAB 1.
• Attempts: Max 4 attempts.
• Results: within a month, check your GMC Online (My Tests) section.
• Pass rate is between 60 to 65%.

GMC Registration: You should start the GMC registration Account setup and formalities before the internship ends.

• Provisional Registration (F1 level): If you passed PLAB 1 and 2 but haven't completed an internship, apply for provisional registration. Most Indian candidates do a full internship to avoid this step.
• Full Registration: After passing both PLAB exams and completing an internship, apply to GMC for full registration with a licence. With all relevant documents. Processing may take 4-8 weeks. Once granted, you have a licence to practice unsupervised in the UK.
• Timeline: Ensure your PLAB 2 pass and English test are both valid (not expired) at the time of application. GMC requires final approval within 2 years of PLAB 2.

Estimated Costs and PLAB Exam Fees

Expenses for the PLAB route and PLAB examination fees.

How to Apply for a Job in NHS?

• Apply to NHS Jobs through the portal (jobs.nhs.uk), Royal College webpages. Take help of medical recruitment agencies (e.g., IMG Connect) to find junior doctor posts (FY2/SHO/CT1 level). International recruitment programs also advertise NHS Jobs. Network via social media groups for UK doctors, and consider applying to UK Foundation Programme (FY2 slots) if eligible.
• Starting Position: With full GMC registration, most Indian doctors enter as FY2-equivalent (senior house officer-level) in non-training or training posts.

Career After PLAB

• Clinical Work & Training: Work as a Jr. Doctor/ SHO depending upon FY1/FY2 Training.
• Postgraduate exams: Gain experience and appear for speciality Training Program like MRCP, MRCS exams for the Residency Program.
• Clinical projects: You can look for audits, research projects, present at conferences and publish case reports/articles.
• Specialty Training (CT1/ST1): After 1-2 years of experience in NHS, apply for specialty training via the national selection (Oriel).

Salary After PLAB

NHS doctor Salaries are uniform across UK, with a correction for bigger cities like London. Yearly salaries are:

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