Overview
The GMC describes PLAB 1 as a paper-based exam of 180 multiple-choice questions in three hours, each with a short clinical scenario and five options. It covers common, important or acute conditions a Foundation Year 2 doctor sees, plus long-term condition management in primary care. The GMC states that PLAB 1 is compliant with the Medical Licensing Assessment (MLA) requirements.
PLAB 2 is an objective structured clinical examination (the GMC also calls it a Clinical and Professional Skills Assessment) with 16 scenarios, each lasting eight minutes, and about three hours in total including rest. Stations reflect real settings such as consultations or acute wards, and assess clinical knowledge, skills and behaviors, including communication with patients and colleagues.
Many candidates have strong medical knowledge but lose marks on UK-specific practice: NICE-guided management, safeguarding, consent and capacity, GMC ethical guidance, and patient-centered consultation style. We concentrate on those differences and on the clinical reasoning each part rewards.
Who it’s for and the problems it solves
This is for you if you are…
- International medical graduates preparing for PLAB 1
- Doctors who have passed PLAB 1 and are preparing for PLAB 2
- Candidates retaking either part after an unsuccessful attempt
- Doctors with experience outside the UK who need practice with NHS-style consultations
- Candidates who are comfortable clinically but want feedback on communication in English
Common problems we help with
- You know the medicine but not UK-specific guidelines or referral pathways
- Two options in PLAB 1 questions often seem right
- PLAB 2 stations run out of time before you reach a management plan
- You are unsure how to handle breaking bad news, angry patients or ethical dilemmas in the UK context
- Examination stations feel unstructured and you forget steps under pressure
What’s included — and what isn’t
Included
- PLAB 1 study plan by specialty and topic, with timed single-best-answer practice
- UK clinical guidelines and prescribing practice as they relate to typical exam scenarios
- Ethics and law topics, including consent, capacity, confidentiality and safeguarding, using GMC guidance
- PLAB 2 station practice: history taking, examination, explanation, management and handover
- Communication skills for difficult conversations, such as breaking bad news or handling complaints
- Structured feedback on timing, content, communication and professionalism in mock stations
- Guidance on using the GMC's sample questions and sample station resources
- Plans that fit your booking timeline and any attempts rules the GMC sets
Not included
- Taking PLAB or any assessment on your behalf
- Sharing recalled or live exam content, which the GMC prohibits
- Advice on GMC registration decisions, visas or immigration; official GMC and government sources decide these
- Promising a pass or registration
What you receive
- PLAB 1 plan
- A weekly plan by topic, including practice question targets and review days.
- Guideline summaries
- Notes on UK guidelines and practice for topics you find difficult, linked to official sources.
- Station feedback
- After mock PLAB 2 stations, written feedback covering data gathering, clinical management and interpersonal skills.
- Communication checklists
- Flexible frameworks for opening, exploring concerns, explaining and closing consultations.
- Retake plan
- For repeat candidates, a plan based on your results and feedback.
How it works
Intake
You share which part, your booking date, clinical background and any previous results.
Diagnostic
For PLAB 1, a timed question set; for PLAB 2, one or two mock stations.
Plan
We agree a schedule of study, practice and feedback.
Coach
Sessions cover weak topics, question reasoning or station practice with role-play.
Final review
Timed practice or a mini-circuit of stations before your exam.
Methods for PLAB preparation
- Guideline anchoring
- Linking management answers to current UK guidance, such as NICE and GMC guidance, rather than local practice elsewhere.
- Single-best-answer reasoning
- Choosing the most appropriate next step for a Foundation Year 2 doctor, not the most advanced option.
- Station structure
- Practicing a flexible structure for each station type while keeping the patient at the center.
- Role-play with feedback
- Online role-play of patients, relatives or colleagues, with feedback on content and communication.
- Timing drills
- Practicing within eight-minute stations so you reach a clear plan and safety-netting.
PLAB 1 and PLAB 2 in brief
The GMC runs both parts and publishes guides, sample questions and a sample station. Test dates, locations, attempt limits, time limits between parts and English language requirements are set by the GMC and can change. Always check the current GMC guides before booking.
- PLAB 1: 180 single-best-answer questions in three hours, paper-based, taken in the UK and some overseas locations
- PLAB 2: 16 OSCE scenarios of eight minutes each, about three hours in total, held in the UK
- Both parts are set at the level of a Foundation Year 2 doctor
- The GMC requires evidence of English language proficiency; see its guidance for accepted tests
Common gaps for international doctors
Candidates often lose marks when they manage cases as they would in their home system: ordering advanced tests too early, not involving senior colleagues when appropriate, or not addressing patient concerns. We practice UK-style consultations, safety-netting and escalation, which are central to PLAB 2.
What the work can look like
Illustrative example — fictional data
Sample PLAB 2 station feedback
An invented candidate completed a mock station with a patient worried about chest pain. All details are fictional and illustrative.
Strengths
Clear history of the pain and risk factors, and polite introduction.
Improvements
Did not explore the patient's concerns about heart disease, and did not give safety-netting advice about when to seek urgent help.
Practice
Three more stations on explaining a diagnosis and plan, with a focus on patient concerns and safety-netting.
Illustrative mock station invented for this page. It is not live exam content, and no result is promised.
What you’ll need to provide
- Which part you are preparing for and your booking date
- Your clinical background and experience
- Practice question results or feedback from courses
- Previous PLAB results if retaking
- Your availability for online station practice
You don’t need everything ready to ask for a quote — tell us what you have and we’ll say what’s missing.
What affects price and turnaround
Price depends on
- Which part you are preparing for
- Number of sessions or mock stations
- Amount of written feedback
- Weeks until your exam
Turnaround depends on
- Your booking date and time available before it
- Time zones and availability for live station practice
- Your starting level
Every project is quoted individually. How we price our work.
Questions people ask before starting
Do you use real PLAB questions or stations?
No. We use GMC sample materials, reputable question banks and original scenarios. Live or recalled exam content is not used or shared.
Can you help me with GMC registration or visas?
No. We provide exam preparation only. Registration and immigration questions should go to the GMC and official government sources.
How is PLAB related to the UKMLA?
The GMC states that PLAB 1 meets MLA requirements. Check the GMC's current guidance for details on how PLAB and the MLA relate for your route.
Can we practice PLAB 2 online?
Yes. Many communication and history stations work well online. Examination stations can be practiced by talking through steps, but you will also need in-person practice.
What if my English is not my first language?
We give feedback on clarity and patient-centered language during station practice. You still need to meet the GMC's English language requirements separately.