PLAB syllabus

The two-part test for many doctors who qualified outside the UK: a 180-question applied knowledge paper, then a 16-station clinical exam, before an application for registration with a licence to practise.

PLAB 1 applied knowledge test

Applied knowledge test

180 single best answer questions · 3 hours

One mark for a correct answer. The score is the number of correct answers. The pass mark is set separately for each paper and is not a fixed number.

  • Cardiorespiratory
  • Gastrointestinal
  • Endocrine, metabolic and clinical haematology
  • Child and adolescent health
  • Musculoskeletal
  • Mental health
  • Neurosciences and senses, including skin
  • Renal and urology
  • Reproductive health
  • Ethics, professionalism, prescribing and acute care

PLAB 2 clinical and professional skills assessment

Clinical stations

16 scenarios, not a written paper · 8 minutes for each of 16 stations

Stations are observed clinical encounters. The closest label this catalogue has is a spoken response. This site does not record or mark a circuit.

  • History, examination and practical procedures
  • Diagnosis and a management plan
  • Interpersonal skills, including telephone and written tasks such as a prescription