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PLAB Exam Fees: Know all the PLAB Costs for 2024

Updated on 12 September, 2023

Pragya Sharma

Pragya Sharma

Sr. Content Editor

The PLAB exam fees have been updated from 1 April  2023 and now stand a 3% increase compared to the previous years for both PLAB 1 and PLAB 2. If you plan to work in the UK as a medical professional and are looking forward to taking the PLAB route, this article is for you. Read on to get an overview of the exam, syllabus, and, most importantly, the PLAB exam fees.

Know More About : PLAB Exam Dates | PLAB Exam | PLAB Exam Syllabus

What is PLAB Exam

PLAB exam (Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board) is a two-part assessment designed to evaluate the knowledge and skills of international medical graduates who wish to practice medicine in the UK. The PLAB exam is overseen by the General Medical Council (GMC) and is a mandatory requirement for all overseas doctors who wish to work in the UK National Health Service (NHS).

The exam is conducted in English and consists of multiple-choice questions that cover a wide range of topics related to medicine, including basic medical sciences, clinical knowledge, and communication skills. Completing the PLAB exam is a key step towards obtaining registration with the GMC and pursuing a career as a doctor in the UK.

PLAB Exam Fees 2023

PLAB exam fees for 2023 are £255 for PLAB 1 and £934 for PLAB 2. PLAB exam fees in India are around INR 26,000 for PLAB 1 and INR 95,268 for PLAB 2.

If a PLAB exam applicant cancels their booking within 42 days of the scheduled exam date, they will not receive a fee refund. If the same is done before the 42 days, the fee will be refunded after a deduction of 10 % of the total registration fees.

Registration Process and Eligibility for 2023

The registration process for the PLAB exam is conducted through GMC online portal. The applicant has to:

1.       Set up, Log in, and Update the account.

2.       Manage the registration.

3.       Update the details.

4.       Upload the certificates.

5.       Pay the fees.

For PLAB exam eligibility, an applicant must fulfill the following conditions:

1.     Before applying for the PLAB exam, it is important to check if your primary medical qualification (PMQ) is recognized in the UK. The institution that granted your PMQ must be listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools.

2.    To be eligible for the PLAB exam, you must have taken an English language test and achieved the required scores. For IELTS, you must have obtained an overall score of at least 7.5, with a minimum score of 7.0 in each of the four language skills. For OET, at least Grade B is required in each testing area.

3.    You must have completed at least one year of postgraduate clinical experience or an equivalent in your home country or the country where you obtained your medical degree.

PLAB Exam Syllabus

The PLAB Part 1 exam tests skills and content through questions that begin with a title specifying the skill and content being tested. The exam assesses four skills groups: diagnosis, investigations, management, and clinical practice context. Candidates must select the most likely diagnosis, interpret diagnostic tests, and choose the most suitable course of treatment. Part 2 deals with practical scenarios that UK-trained doctors may witness daily. One must be well acquainted with the PLAB exam syllabus for both parts to ace the test.

PLAB Exam Dates 2023

Below are some important dates & deadlines for PLAB 2023:

Exam Date

Overseas Closing Date

25 May 2023

13 April 2023

10 August 2023

29 June 2023

2 November 2023

21 September 2023

15 February 2024

4 January 2024

23 May 2024

11 April 2024

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the PLAB exam difficult?

The exam assesses the skills and knowledge required for a doctor to practice medicine safely in the UK. Therefore, it is considered a challenging exam that requires thorough preparation and a solid understanding of medical concepts. However, with proper preparation and practice, many candidates have successfully passed the exam and gone on to work as doctors in the UK.

Can I book PLAB 1 without IELTS?

No, you cannot book the PLAB 1 exam without IELTS. The GMC, which administers the PLAB exam, requires all candidates to provide evidence of their English language proficiency before booking the exam. This ensures doctors have the necessary language skills to communicate effectively with patients and colleagues in the UK healthcare system.

Who is eligible for PLAB?

If you have a primary medical qualification, English proficiency skills & 12 months of clinical experience, then you’re eligible for PLAB.

How many attempts are there for PLAB 1?

Candidates are allowed to attempt the PLAB 1 exam a maximum of four times. After four failed attempts, candidates may apply for one final attempt by demonstrating evidence of additional learning over 12 months and making a special application to the General Medical Council.

Pragya Sharma

Sr. Content Editor

Pragya Sharma is a content developer and marketer with 6.5+ years of experience in the education industry. She started her career as a social media copywriter for NIELIT, Ministry of Electronics & IT, and has now scaled up as a 360-degree content professional well-versed with the intricacies of digital marketing and different forms of content used to drive and hook the target audience. She is also a co-author of 2 stories in an anthology based on the theme- women empowerment.

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