PLAB 1 Guide: Dates, Cost, Syllabus & Preparation Tips

If practicing medicine in the UK is on your mind, you must be aware of the PLAB (Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board) exam. PLAB 1 (the first part of the exam) is your stepping stone to becoming eligible to get your license to practice medicine in the UK. You can determine its significance from the fact that around 14,470 candidates appeared for the PLAB 1 exam in 2022. Moreover, only 70.9% were able to clear the test. This highlights the difficulty level of the PLAB 1 exam, so effectively preparing for it becomes crucial.

This PLAB 1 guide will discuss in detail the dates, fees, syllabus, and tips to prepare to ace the exam.

PLAB 1 Exam Overview

The PLAB examination ensures that doctors qualifying abroad possess suitable skills and knowledge to practice in the UK. 

Those graduating from medical schools outside the EEA, UK, or Switzerland must take the examination. The PLAB test assesses whether you have the same knowledge as doctors starting the second years of their Foundation Programme training in the UK. 

PLAB 1 is the first part of the examination, covering 180 multiple-choice questions to be answered within three hours. The PLAB 1 exam cost is approximately £247-£255. You must create your GMC Online Account and submit your medical qualifications and English proficiency test scores. 

Why is PLAB 1 Exam Important 

The PLAB 1 results matter immensely, as you will be eligible for the PLAB 2 examination. Passing both parts of the PLAB examination is mandatory to apply for registration with a license to practice in the UK. Hence, the examination is the first stepping stone towards working as a doctor in the UK. 

PLAB 1 Dates

Knowing the PLAB 1 dates is essential for aspirants since the examination takes place four times a year across the UK and several global locations. Upcoming dates in 2023 include:

• 2 November 2023 (Closing dates are 21st September and 19th October for overseas and UK aspirants, respectively). 

The PLAB 1 exam dates for 2024 are as follows:

• 15 February 2024
• 23 May 2024
• 8 August 2024 (open from 18 November 2023)
• 7 November 2024 (open from 18 November 2023)

Topics Covered in PLAB 1 Exam 

The PLAB 1 syllabus is not complex. Every question begins with a small scenario followed by a multiple-choice question. You have to choose the right answer from five options. The main topics covered in the examination are related to knowledge of patient care. 

The examination does not mean to test your ability to remember and state facts. Questions pertain to the present best practices and routinely available equipment in the UK. You must answer questions based on published and sound evidence. The test covers acute/important conditions (commonly in emergency departments) as seen by trainees entering the second years of their Foundation Programmes (F2) and the management of long-term medical conditions as observed in primary care. It does not include the advanced duties of general practitioners. 

Effective Strategies for PLAB 1 Preparation

Here are some effective strategies to prepare better for the PLAB 1 examination: 

1. Get the PLAB Blueprint- 

The blueprint provided by the authorities on the official website is a helpful guide to the topics covered in the examination. You should first get hold of it to examine the behaviors, skills, and knowledge expected in the examination.  

2. Follow the Foundation Programme curriculum closely- 

This covers all the skills and topics covered in PLAB 1 that doctors follow in the second year in the UK. 

3. Pre-study plan reading- 

Carefully read and understand the Good medical practice blueprint for the examination. You can use the interactive online tool on the official website for this purpose, along with the Welcome to UK practice tools. Go through the ethical guidance for doctors as well. 

4. Join a community of fellow aspirants- 

It is helpful to join a community, platform, or group of fellow students. This will help you stay updated on resources and know the materials that others are using to prepare for the PLAB 1 examination. You can also discuss what you learn with others. 

5. Create a stringent study plan- 

Create a study plan with proper study resources, including the Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine, PLAB keys, official study materials, and others. Your plan should cover gynecology, respiratory, anatomy, cardiology, physiotherapy, and ophthalmology sections divided into a near-equal number of days with specific dates. 

Practice rigorously- 

You can practice with PLAB keys whenever you can and then complete MCQs and sample papers regularly. You should allocate at least 3-4 hours daily to practice questions. Keep flagging errors so that you can simultaneously rectify them. 

You should allocate sufficient time for revision before appearing for the PLAB 1 examination. Ensure you keep studying and practicing daily to crack the test successfully.