PLAB
Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board
What is PLAB?
The Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board test- known as the PLAB- assesses the knowledge and skills of doctors who aim to practice medicine in the UK.
Who needs to take the PLAB test?
A graduate from the medical school outside of the UK, European Economic Area ( EEA) or Switzerland will need to take the PLAB test.
Understanding the PLAB test
The PLAB has two parts to it. In part 1, you will deal with written multiple choice exam, with 180 single best answer questions. Part 2 is a practical objective structured clinical exam, known as OSCE. In order to apply for registration with a licence to practice medicine in the UK, you will need to PASS both parts.
PLAB 1. This part is a written exam made up of 180 multiple choice questions which you must complete within 3 hours. Each question starts with a short scenario followed by a question. You need to choose the right answer out of the five possible answers given. You can sit Part 1 in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, India, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Egypt, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
PLAB 2. This is an objective structured clinical exams. It's made up of 18 scenarios, each lasting 8 minutes and aims to reflect real life settings including a mock consultation or an acute ward. This also includes an additional 2 minutes of reading time. This part can only be taken in the UK.
Steps and Cost to PLAB
This is a breakdown of the cost of PLAB, starting from having a passport to getting a job in the UK.
Passport - NPR 10,00
IELTS – NPR 25,300
OET- 334 GBP
PLAB 1- 247 GBP
PLAB 2- 906 GBP
Epic Verification- 250 GBP
Standard visitor visa fees – NPR 15,000
Airfare round trip- 700 GBP
GMC registration- 153 GBP
Rent and living expenses in the UK- 500 – 600 GBP
Police Clearance- NPR 800
TB clearance certificate ( IOM)-
Tier 2 visa ( General- Heakth & Care visa)- 232 GBP
Airfare – one way- 400 GBP
Survival money ( 1-2 months)- 1000- 1500 GBP
Frequently asked questions about PLAB
Before you can take the PLAB (Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board) exam, there are several key requirements:
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Medical Qualification: Ensure you hold a recognized primary medical qualification from a medical school listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools.
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English Language Proficiency: Demonstrate proficiency in English by meeting the language requirements set by the General Medical Council (GMC). This often involves passing an approved English language proficiency test, such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Occupational English Test (OET).
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Application to GMC: Submit an application to the General Medical Council (GMC) and receive confirmation of eligibility to take the PLAB exam.
Meeting these prerequisites is essential for embarking on the PLAB journey and pursuing a medical career in the United Kingdom.
After successfully passing PLAB 1 and PLAB 2, the subsequent steps typically involve applying for GMC registration. Once granted, you become eligible to explore job opportunities within the UK healthcare system. The successful completion of PLAB exams and GMC registration marks a crucial milestone in your journey towards practising medicine in the United Kingdom
The cost of the journey, notably for PLAB 1, PLAB 2, GMC registration, and job application, can be conveniently divided into distinct steps. Additionally, you have the flexibility to strategically plan intervals, whether between PLAB 1 and PLAB 2, passing PLAB 2 and applying for GMC registration, or between obtaining GMC registration and securing a job. This breakdown allows for a more manageable and phased financial approach.
It is not necessary for the total amount needed for your entire journey to be in your account from the outset. The requirement allows for flexibility, meaning you can accumulate the necessary funds over the course of your journey rather than having them all at the beginning.
It is advisable to ensure that your financial sponsor demonstrates at least three times the amount you plan to spend as liquid assets. For instance, if your declared expenditure is 2000 GBP for your visit, your financial sponsor should exhibit the availability of a minimum of 6000 GBP in readily accessible funds. This provides a buffer and enhances the credibility of the financial documentation submitted with the visa application.
If you're an international medical graduate from a non-EEA country and intend to practice medicine in the UK, taking the PLAB (Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board) test is typically required. However, if you're from an EEA country or Switzerland, different regulations may apply. Check with the General Medical Council (GMC) and relevant authorities for your specific requirements.