PLAB VaultThe PLAB 1 blog
Plain answers to the questions doctors ask about PLAB 1: when to book, how to fit study around work, what it costs and what comes next.
Browse by topic
- Where to beginIs the UK right for you, what order the steps come in, what it costs and where English and verification fit in.1 post
- PLAB 1How PLAB 1 works, when and where you can sit it, how it is marked and what happens if you need another attempt.5 posts
- Planning your studyHow long to study, how to fit it around a job and a life, and how to build a rhythm you can keep.2 posts
- How to study wellFlashcards, questions, mocks, weak areas and pacing: what to do each day so the work sticks.1 post
- After PLAB 1PLAB 2 in Manchester, registration with a licence to practise and your first job in the UK.1 post
Latest
- Can I sit PLAB 1 outside the UK?Yes. PLAB 1 runs in UK cities, in Dublin and Madrid, and at overseas venues, four times a year. Some overseas venues close from February 2027, so check GMC Online before you plan travel.PLAB 1
- Do I have to book PLAB 1 before I start studying?No. You cannot book PLAB 1 until the GMC has verified your English, so the sensible order is to start studying early and book once you can name a realistic sitting.PLAB 1
- How do I balance work with studying for PLAB 1? Do I have to stop working?No. Most doctors prepare for PLAB 1 while working. What matters is a small daily rhythm that survives your rota, and a plan for the weeks when it does not.Planning your study
- How long should I study for PLAB 1?There is no official study period. How long you need depends on your starting point, the hours you can give each week and how you score on practice, so here is a way to work it out.Planning your study
- How many times can I take PLAB 1 and PLAB 2, and how long does a pass last?You can sit each part until you have failed it four times, then apply for one final attempt. PLAB 2 must be passed within two years of PLAB 1, and registration approved within two years of PLAB 2.PLAB 1
- How much does the PLAB route cost?The GMC's fees from 1 April 2026 come to £1,800 from PLAB 1 to your first registration, before your English test, verification, travel, a visa and any resit.Where to begin
- What happens after you pass PLAB 1?PLAB 2 in Manchester, within two years of the day you sat PLAB 1, then registration with a licence to practise. Here is each step, with what to start early.After PLAB 1
- What is the PLAB 1 pass mark, and how is it set?There is no fixed percentage. The GMC sets a pass mark for each sitting, at the standard of a doctor entering the second Foundation year, so the target is breadth, not a number.PLAB 1