Table of Contents
- Intoduction
- What Is the Plab Test
- Who Needs the Plab Test
- PLAB 1: Format, Structure & Pass Rates
- PLAB 2: Format, Structure & Pass Rates
- The PLAB Route and the Future NHS Workforce
- UK Employment Outcomes After PLAB
- How NAU Prepares Students for PLAB Success
- Conclusion
- FAQS
Introduction
For thousands of international medical graduates each year, the PLAB test is the gateway to practising medicine in the United Kingdom. It is the standard through which the General Medical Council (GMC) ensures that doctors entering the NHS are safe, skilled, and aligned with UK clinical expectations.
At New Anglia University (NAU), our medical curriculum is intentionally designed to align with UK clinical and educational standards. From UK-aligned clinical pathways and supervised placements to dedicated PLAB-focused academic modules, students begin preparing for this licensing exam from their earliest terms—long before they sit the assessments themselves. This structured approach ensures that graduates are fully prepared for the PLAB test and the transition into Foundation Year 1 (FY1), giving them the clinical competence, communication skills, and professional readiness expected within the NHS.
The NHS already depends significantly on internationally trained doctors, including 2,428 Caribbean-trained clinicians registered with the GMC as of August 2024. As demand for new doctors continues to rise, projected to reach a 260,000–360,000 FTE shortfall by 2036/37, well-prepared graduates who enter the UK system through PLAB will play an increasingly important role in the nation’s healthcare workforce.
This guide explains exactly what the PLAB test involves, what pass rates look like, how NAU prepares its students for it, and what UK employment and salary outcomes candidates can expect once licensed.
What Is the PLAB Test?
The Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) test is the licensing assessment for international medical graduates who wish to obtain GMC registration with a licence to practise.
It assesses whether your medical knowledge, practical skills, communication, and professionalism meet the level expected of a doctor entering Foundation Year 1 (FY1) in the NHS.
The PLAB pathway consists of:
- PLAB 1: Written examination (180 SBA questions)
- PLAB 2: Practical OSCE-style exam (16 stations, Manchester only)
Passing both parts enables you to apply for full GMC registration and begin practising in UK hospitals.
Who Needs the PLAB Test?
PLAB is required for graduates who:
- Hold a non-UK primary medical qualification, and
- Wish to apply for GMC registration and a licence to practise, and
- Do not hold an approved UK postgraduate qualification (e.g., MRCP, MRCS).
Given these criteria, PLAB is the most common route for internationally educated doctors entering the UK workforce.
PLAB 1: Format, Structure & Pass Rates
Format
- 180 single-best-answer questions
- 3-hour exam
- Tests applied clinical reasoning using real-world scenarios
Content Areas
- Medicine
- Surgery
- Paediatrics
- Psychiatry
- Obstetrics & Gynaecology
- Ethics & Professionalism (GMC Good Medical Practice)
Pass Rates
GMC annual reports show sector-wide PLAB 1 pass rates of ~70%, varying slightly by exam sitting.
PLAB 2: Format, Structure & Pass Rates
Format
- 16 stations
- 8 minutes each
- Conducted only in Manchester
- Simulates real NHS clinical interactions
What It Assesses
- Communication and rapport
- Clinical decision-making
- Professional conduct
- Safe practice under UK protocols
Permanent Failure Is Extremely Rare
According to FOI data (GMC, 2016–2019), highlights:
- Only 0.37% of candidates permanently failed after four attempts.
- No candidate attempting a fifth attempt passed.
This confirms that PLAB is highly passable with structured preparation and support.
The PLAB Route and the Future NHS Workforce
The UK heavily depends on international doctors, especially those who qualify through the PLAB route, including many from the Caribbean. In August 2025, nearly 396,000 doctors were registered with the General Medical Council (GMC), with almost half (about 47%) being international graduates. Among these, around 2,400 doctors were trained in the Caribbean, showing a long-term reliance on these professionals to support the NHS.
Key points about the NHS workforce and future needs:
- NHS England forecasts a shortage of 260,000 to 360,000 full-time staff by 2036/37.
- The Health Foundation warns the shortfall could rise to over half a million if not managed.
- General practice may face around a 25% staff deficit by 2030/31.
- The rising demand for doctors and specialists highlights the growing pressure on the NHS workforce.
Regarding UK medical education:
- Approximately 30,000 people apply for medical school places annually in the UK.
- Only about 9,000 places are available, leaving about 20,000 qualified applicants without a spot.
- Recent government expansions added roughly 1,500 places, insufficient to meet demand.
- Many UK applicants study medicine abroad and return via the PLAB exam route, contributing to the international doctor workforce.
These factors emphasise the essential role of PLAB-qualified international doctors in addressing NHS staffing gaps, which will continue to be critical for years to come.
UK Employment Outcomes After PLAB
UK Employment Outcomes After PLAB
- In 2024, 100% of eligible applicants (9,702) were placed into Foundation Year 1 (FY1) roles through the UK Foundation Programme Allocation
- 75% of applicants received their first-choice Foundation School, an improvement from previous years UK Foundation Programme Allocation
Foundation Year 1 (FY1) Salary
- The basic FY1 salary is £34,770 as per NHS Pay Circular M&D 3/2024.
- Typical gross earnings range from £37,000 to £40,000 with standard enhancements.
Long-Term Employment and Earnings
- Approximately 95% of medical graduates remain employed in the NHS following Foundation training.
- Medicine and dentistry graduates earn a median salary of £37,900 fifteen months post-graduation, compared to £28,500 median earnings for all UK graduates.
- These data points highlight the strong employability, job stability, and earning potential for doctors who qualify through the PLAB route and enter the NHS.
This information underscores the career prospects for international medical graduates in the UK and provides a useful baseline for student loan repayment planning.
How NAU Prepares Students for PLAB Success
NAU’s medical programme is built from the ground up around UK clinical expectations and the competencies assessed in PLAB 1, PLAB 2, and Foundation Year 1 (FY1). Every stage of the curriculum supports students in achieving strong PLAB outcomes.
Curriculum-Integrated PLAB Preparation
- PLAB-relevant content embedded across all semesters
- Continuous clinical skills development
- UK-aligned guidelines, teaching methods, and assessment checkpoints
Placement Oversight & Progression Gates
- Structured progression to ensure students meet UK clinical readiness
- Supervised clinical placements designed around NHS-style competencies
- Early development of communication skills, professionalism, and safe practice
Targeted Support for PLAB 1 and PLAB 2
- Timed question-bank practice for PLAB 1
- Scenario-based OSCE training for PLAB 2
- Workshops in communication, history-taking, and clinical decision-making
- Evidence-based exam strategies and feedback cycles
NAU’s academic design and UK-aligned training aim to position graduates above the sector-average PLAB pass rate (~70%), ensuring they enter the NHS well-prepared and confident.
Conclusion
The PLAB test is more than an exam; it is the bridge that connects talented international medical graduates with a healthcare system that urgently needs them. With nearly half of all GMC-registered doctors now trained outside the UK, and with NHS workforce shortages projected to escalate sharply in the coming decade, well-prepared PLAB candidates will play a defining role in the future of UK healthcare.
At New Anglia University, we have built our programme specifically to support that journey. Our curriculum, placements, and progression systems are aligned with UK practice from day one, giving students the structure, confidence, and clinical grounding needed to excel in both PLAB 1 and PLAB 2.
For motivated students aiming to build a successful medical career in the United Kingdom, the PLAB route, supported by NAU’s UK-aligned training, offers a clear, achievable, and rewarding pathway into one of the world’s most respected healthcare systems.
FAQS
Q1: What is the PLAB test?
A1: The PLAB test is the GMC’s licensing exam for international medical graduates who want to work as doctors in the UK. It has two parts: a written exam (PLAB 1) and a practical OSCE (PLAB 2).
Q2: How much does PLAB 1 cost in the UK?
A2: PLAB 1 costs £255, and PLAB 2 costs £1,340.
Q3: What is the salary of a doctor in the UK after PLAB?
A3: Newly registered doctors typically earn £37,000–£40,000 in their first year (FY1), including standard enhancements.
Q4: Can I work as a doctor in the UK without PLAB?
A4: Usually no. Most international graduates need PLAB unless they hold specific UK postgraduate qualifications, such as MRCP or MRCS.
Q5: How many times can I take the PLAB exam?
A5: You can take PLAB 1 up to four times. PLAB 2 can be taken only after passing PLAB 1 and also has a maximum of four attempts.