All About PLAB
We live in changing times, and one of the wonderful things we have experienced is the diversity that comes with meeting and working with colleagues from different regions. Understandably when it comes to job migration there are safety aspects that call for robust governance, and in terms of working in the medical and allied professions, new entrants to the UK and other countries not only need to demonstrate professional competence but also skilled use of the English Language. Here in the UK, the Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board (PLAB) Exam is currently the main route via which overseas medical staff can demonstrate that their knowledge and skills are of a sufficient standard to work in this country.
The exams are reviewed by PLAB and are amended periodically; the most recent guidance is available here: GMC UK
We recommend you consult this website as it also gives up to date information on some of the practical and governance aspects of sitting the exam (such as dates, how to register etc). There are currently two exams provided by The Board -
- PLAB1
- PLAB 2
PLAB 1
This is a computer-based examination multiple choice exam that asks 180 questions about a vast range of medical conditions from different angles. For instance, a question about thyrotoxicosis may focus on assessment, management, genetics, epidemiology, ethics, pharmacology, anatomy etc. It may also be part of an older adult question or a paediatric scenario. Each question / scenario asks for a SINGLE best answer. What we at PrepareMedicine remind people is that the exam is not asking you to memorise information and churn it our mechanically. You are doctors. You see people who may have the same condition as the lady in the next bed but as they have their own individual context, they respond differently. The exam is about holism, looking at the individual and the bigger picture, and choosing current best practice from best evidence provided in the guidance provided by NICE, SIGN, Cochrane reviews etc. It’s not about your old hospital’s policy or the clinic where a
friend works.
The examiners expect you to answer the questions based on a UK context, so we would strongly advise you to be familiar with the routine equipment available in UK healthcare settings (such as point-of-care ultrasound in A&E department for rapid diagnosis of ruptured spleen; you would always choose this over CT scan in an emergency medicine question / scenario where time is of the essence). Also, all prescribing is based on the current edition of the BNF (British National Formulary, available for free via NICE for UK based users, or registering online at:
PLAB 2
This is described as ‘an objective structured clinical exam’ by The Board. They present you with 18 scenarios, each lasting eight minutes, and they are all based on ‘real life’. For instance, there is a ward bay, there is a mock consultation such as in primary care. This is run throughout the year at one of the PLAB Clinical Assessment centres throughout the UK.