PLAB 1 Exam Dates and Venues
The Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) 1 is a crucial step for medical professionals aspiring to practice in the UK. As a key component of your journey, understanding the exam dates and venues is paramount.
Understanding PLAB 1
The PLAB 1 exam goes beyond mere recall of facts; it assesses your ability to apply medical knowledge in patient care scenarios. The questions are designed to gauge your familiarity with current UK best practices and the equipment commonly found in UK hospitals. It’s imperative to approach these questions with a mindset rooted in evidence-based practice, relying on published evidence rather than local protocols.
Exam Schedule
The General Medical Council (GMC) administers the PLAB 1 exam quarterly, both within the UK and at various international locations. To check the availability of exam slots and venues, prospective candidates need to register for a GMC Online account and navigate to the ‘My Tests’ section.
Given the high demand for exam places, it’s advisable to plan well in advance and secure a spot at your preferred location.
PLAB and the MLA
For international medical graduates (IMGs), the PLAB test has been a crucial gateway to practicing medicine in the United Kingdom. As 2024 approaches, discussions about the future of PLAB and its compliance with the MLA (Medical Licensing Assessment) requirements have surfaced. We will explore what this means for IMGs and how it will impact the test. Read more…
Upcoming PLAB 1 Test Dates in 2024
- 2 November 2023
- 15 February 2024
- 23 May 2024
- 8 August 2024
- 7 November 2024
Domestic (UK) Exam Venues
For those taking the exam within the UK, the following cities host PLAB 1:
- Belfast
- Birmingham
- Cardiff
- Edinburgh
- London
- Manchester
- Newcastle
- Oxford
- Sheffield
Once you’ve successfully registered, the GMC will provide you with specific details about the exam venue and relevant contact information.
International Exam Venues
For candidates outside the UK, the PLAB 1 exam is conducted by the British Council in collaboration with the GMC. Here are the overseas venues:
Australia
- Sydney
Bangladesh
- Dhaka
Canada
- Toronto
Egypt
- Alexandria
- Cairo
Ghana
- Accra
India
- Bangalore
- Chennai
- Hyderabad
- Kolkata
- Mumbai
- New Delhi
Kenya
- Nairobi
Nigeria
- Abuja
- Enugu
- Lagos
Pakistan
- Islamabad
- Karachi
Republic of Ireland
- Dublin
Saudi Arabia
- Riyadh
South Africa
- Johannesburg
Spain
- Madrid
Sri Lanka
- Colombo
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
- Dubai
What is the IMGMLA?
IMGMLA stands for International Medical Graduate (IMG) Medical Licensing Assessment. It is an examination conducted by the General Medical Council (GMC) in the United Kingdom.
International doctors who want to practise in the UK and who currently take PLAB will need to take the MLA from 2024.
The MLA will give patients and employers greater confidence in doctors new to working in the UK, wherever they were educated or trained. Read more…
When will the UKMLA exams start?
Until GMC introduces the MLA in 2024, international medical graduates can still apply for the PLAB test if they want registration with a licence to practise in the UK.
Preparing
All content in the MLA will derive from the MLA content map.
During 2023, as part of GMC preparation to move from PLAB to the MLA, GMC will replace the PLAB blueprint with the MLA content map. GMC will provide further information about when this change will happen in due course. However, GMC won’t change the questions or stations currently used to test PLAB candidates, nor the standard of the PLAB test. The experience for candidates on the test day itself will remain the same, and this change shouldn’t impact any preparation you have done for the test.
Conclusion
In the pursuit of excellence in medical practice in the UK, the PLAB 1 exam is a critical milestone. By understanding the exam’s nature, scheduling, and available venues, aspiring candidates can better prepare themselves for success. Remember, meticulous planning and adherence to evidence-based practice are key to conquering the challenges posed by PLAB 1. Best of luck on your journey towards becoming a proficient medical professional in the UK!
