PLAB 1 · 2026 · For IMGs

The Ultimate PLAB 1 Exam Guide for International Medical Graduates

Everything you need to know about the PLAB 1 exam — eligibility, structure, the MLA Content Map, a phased study plan, the full GMC registration pathway, and how PLABRevisions helps you pass on your first attempt.

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Section 1

What is PLAB 1?

The Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board Part 1 is the first step for IMGs seeking to practise medicine in the UK.

PLAB 1 is a computer-based examination set by the General Medical Council (GMC) to assess whether international medical graduates have the knowledge and clinical reasoning expected of a doctor entering the second year of the UK Foundation Programme (FY2 standard).

The exam consists of 180 single best answer (SBA) questions delivered in a single paper lasting three hours. It is held at Pearson VUE test centres around the world, meaning you can sit the exam from your home country before you travel to the UK.

PLAB 1 is now blueprinted against the MLA Content Map — the same framework that underpins the UKMLA AKT for UK graduates. The clinical reasoning standard, the breadth of clinical presentations, and the question format are consistent with what the GMC expects of every doctor granted a UK licence to practise.

Passing PLAB 1 unlocks your eligibility to sit PLAB 2, the OSCE that is the second and final hurdle before provisional GMC registration.

Section 2

Eligibility requirements

Before booking PLAB 1, make sure you meet the GMC's three entry criteria.

1. Primary Medical Qualification (PMQ)

You must hold an acceptable primary medical qualification from a medical school listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools. The GMC publishes specific guidance on which qualifications are accepted — check the GMC website for the most up-to-date list before paying your application fee.

2. English language proficiency

You need an acceptable English language test score. The GMC currently accepts:

IELTS Academic — overall band 7.5 with no component below 7.0
OET (Medicine) — minimum grade B in all four components

Scores must be achieved in a single sitting and are valid for two years from the test date.

3. GMC Online account

Create a GMC Online account, submit your identity and qualification documents, and pay the PLAB 1 exam fee. Once verified, you can book your preferred test date and centre through the GMC portal. ID verification can take 4–8 weeks, so start this in parallel with your revision.

For a step-by-step walk-through of the full GMC registration process, see our IMG Guide to GMC registration →

Section 3

Exam structure

180 questions, 3 hours, one paper — here's exactly what to expect on exam day.

180 SBAs

Questions

3 hours

Duration

~60 sec

Time per question

Single best answer format — each question presents a clinical vignette with five answer options. You select the single most appropriate answer.
Single paper — unlike the UKMLA AKT (split across two papers), PLAB 1 is delivered as one continuous three-hour sitting.
No negative marking — you score one mark for every correct answer and zero for incorrect answers. Never leave a question blank.
FY2 standard — questions test the knowledge, clinical judgement, and reasoning expected of a second-year Foundation doctor in the UK.
Computer-based — sat at Pearson VUE test centres worldwide. You can flag questions for review and navigate freely within the paper.

With roughly 60 seconds per question, pacing is critical. Practising under timed conditions is one of the most impactful things you can do — and exactly what our mock exams are designed for.

Section 4

The MLA Content Map

PLAB 1 is now blueprinted against the GMC's Medical Licensing Assessment Content Map — the same framework used for the UKMLA AKT.

The MLA Content Map is the GMC's master syllabus for what every doctor needs to know to be safe and effective on day one. It is organised into three interconnected layers:

1. Areas of Clinical Practice

These cover the major medical and surgical specialties — from cardiovascular and respiratory to mental health, musculoskeletal, paediatrics, obstetrics & gynaecology, and more. Each area defines the clinical knowledge you need at FY2 level — not just isolated facts, but how conditions present, are investigated, and managed.

2. Clinical Presentations

Rather than organising content by diagnosis, the MLA maps clinical presentations — how patients actually present in practice. For example, chest pain as a presentation connects to acute coronary syndrome, pulmonary embolism, aortic dissection, musculoskeletal causes, and more. PLAB 1 question stems are written in this presentation-first style, so learning to think through differentials for each presentation is essential.

3. Conditions

The specific diseases and conditions you are expected to recognise, investigate, and manage. The content map lists these alongside their associated presentations and clinical practice areas, helping you see how everything connects rather than studying topics in isolation.

Every question in the PLABRevisions bank is tagged to the MLA Content Map, so your dashboard shows you exactly which areas, presentations, and conditions need more work. Learn more about our question bank and how it maps to the MLA framework.

Section 5

GMC registration pathway

PLAB 1 is the first step on a clear, structured route to full GMC registration and the right to practise independently in the UK.

Pass PLAB 1

180 single best answer questions testing applied clinical knowledge at FY2 standard, sat at Pearson VUE test centres worldwide.

Pass PLAB 2

An Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) of 16 stations testing communication, examination, procedural, and clinical-reasoning skills under simulated conditions in Manchester.

Provisional GMC registration

Apply for provisional registration with a licence to practise, allowing you to take up an approved Foundation Year-equivalent post.

FY1-equivalent programme

Complete an acceptable foundation programme for provisionally registered doctors, demonstrating clinical competence in a UK hospital.

Full GMC registration

Obtain full registration with a licence to practise, enabling independent practice across the NHS and progression into specialty training.

The entire journey — from booking PLAB 1 to full registration — can take 12–18 months depending on exam availability and visa processing. Starting your preparation early is one of the best investments you can make.

Section 6

How to study for PLAB 1

A three-phase plan that takes you from foundations to exam-day confidence.

Phase 1 · Weeks 1–6

Build your foundation

Work through topics systematically using Study Essential mode, which gives you 1,800+ high-yield questions covering the core content every PLAB candidate must know. Pair each question session with our Smart Notes — concise, exam-focused summaries that replace traditional textbook reading.

Study Essential mode →Smart Notes →

Phase 2 · Weeks 7–10

Deep dive and reinforce

Switch to the full question bank and use mixed-topic sessions to expose gaps. Let your dashboard surface weak areas automatically. When you encounter a concept you don't fully understand, ask the AI Professor — our 24/7 tutor that explains topics in the context of your specific question, adapting to your level of understanding.

Question bank →AI Professor →

Phase 3 · Final 2–3 weeks

Mock exams and exam simulation

Run full-length 180-question mock exams under strict timed conditions. Pacing is just as important as knowledge — you need to build the mental stamina for three continuous hours. After each mock, review the AI debrief (verdict tier, pearl, patterns, twist families) on the Readiness dashboard to identify last-minute areas to revise.

Mock exams →Results dashboard →

Want a more detailed week-by-week breakdown? Read our Three-month PLAB 1 study plan →

Section 7

Why PLABRevisions?

Built specifically for PLAB 1 performance — not generic MCQ practice.

5,000+ exam-style questions

Every question mapped to the MLA Content Map with detailed explanations, clinical reasoning breakdowns, and up-to-date NICE / BNF / CKS references.

Question bank

Unlimited timed mocks

Build full-length 180-question mocks that mirror the real exam format, timing, and difficulty — with detailed AI debriefs after every attempt.

Mock exams

AI Professor tutor

An always-on tutor that answers your questions in context, explains concepts at your level, and helps you understand the 'why' behind each answer — voice or text.

AI Professor

Smart notes

Concise, exam-focused revision notes that cover everything you need to know without the bulk of traditional textbooks. Searchable and updated to current guidelines.

Smart notes

Trusted since 2019

Over 30,000 doctors worldwide have used the platform to prepare for their exams. Continuously updated with fresh questions and the latest clinical guidelines.

For IMGs

Performance analytics

Track your progress across every topic, presentation, and condition. Identify weak areas instantly and focus revision where it matters most.

Reviews & results

Section 8

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to common PLAB 1 questions.

How many times can I sit PLAB 1?+

You have a maximum of four attempts at PLAB 1. If you do not pass within four attempts, you must provide evidence of further structured study before the GMC will consider allowing additional sittings.

Is there negative marking on PLAB 1?+

No. There is no negative marking — you receive one mark for each correct answer and zero for incorrect answers. Always attempt every question, even if you are unsure.

How long are PLAB 1 results valid?+

Your PLAB 1 pass is valid for two years for the purposes of sitting PLAB 2, and a separate two-year validity applies for full GMC registration once you pass PLAB 2 (so practically you have three years from passing PLAB 1 to complete the registration cycle, including PLAB 2). Always confirm current rules on the GMC website before booking.

Can I prepare for PLAB 1 from my home country?+

Absolutely. The vast majority of candidates prepare from abroad and only travel to the UK for PLAB 2. The whole platform is online and works on any device — desktop, tablet, or phone — so you can study from anywhere.

What score do I need to pass PLAB 1?+

The GMC sets the pass mark using a standard-setting method (modified Angoff), so it varies between sittings. Historically the pass mark has been around 60–65% (roughly 108–117 out of 180). Aim for 70%+ in your final mocks to give yourself a comfortable margin.

Is PLAB 1 the same as the UKMLA AKT?+

They are closely related. Both are blueprinted against the MLA Content Map and test at FY2 level using single best answer format. The key differences are audience and structure: PLAB 1 is a single 3-hour paper for international medical graduates; the UKMLA AKT is split across two papers for UK medical school graduates. Clinical content and reasoning standard are aligned.

How early should I start preparing for PLAB 1?+

Most successful candidates spend 10–14 weeks of focused, full-time preparation, or 4–6 months at part-time pace. If you have been working clinically and are already familiar with UK guidelines, a tighter 8-week plan is achievable. Less than 8 weeks is high-risk for first-attempt success.

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