PLAB Pattern

PLAB 1 (Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board)

Eligibility check for international medical graduates to practise in the UK

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Quick facts

Conducted by: General Medical Council (GMC)
Country / Region: United Kingdom
Test fee: GBP 273
Frequency: Multiple times per year in UK and overseas centers
Results: Released ~4 weeks after the test

Accepted by

GMC for entry into the UK Foundation Programme

Scoring

Pass mark is set per sitting using the Angoff method (GMC does not publish a fixed fraction). Pass rates ~70% for first-attempt UK graduates, lower for IMGs.

Purpose

Eligibility check for international medical graduates to practise in the UK

Pattern

Section breakdown

Each section follows the official PLAB 1 (Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board) format exactly.

Single Best Answer MCQ

180 scenario-based multiple choice questions covering common, important, and acute conditions seen by trainees entering F2 level.

Duration

3 hours

Questions

180

Why practise on PassPilot

Real PLAB 1 (Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board) pattern.

Every PLAB 1 (Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board) paper on PassPilot follows the official structure — sections, time, item types, and scoring all match. We randomise questions on every retake so you can never memorise the bank.