PLAB II
From India to the UK — Start Your Medical Career through PLAB with Expert Guidance & Govt. Salary
PLAB 1 & PLAB 2 are the two exams required to register with the General Medical Council (GMC), UK for doctors who qualified outside the UK/EEA.
PLAB 2
Purpose: Tests clinical skills and patient management.
Format: OSCE style
~16–18 stations
Each station: 8 minutes + 2 minutes reading time
Focus: History, examination, communication, ethics, clinical reasoning,WhereConducted only in Manchester, UK
Eligibility
Must pass PLAB 1 before booking PLAB 2
Pass Criteria
Set by GMC using standard-setting methods (not fixed marks)
Both exams are at UK FY2 level
After Passing PLAB 1 & 2
You can apply for GMC registration
Apply for UK jobs (FY2, Trust Grade, SHO)
Later progress to specialty training
Preparation Resources (Commonly Used)
PLAB Blueprint (from GMC)
Plab able / Pass medicine (for PLAB 1)
Samson notes, PLAB 2 courses & mock OSCEs
OET: Grade B in all sections
PTE (Pearson Test of English) and IELTS for PLAB / GMC?
PTE Academic (often written as PET by mistake)
❌ NOT accepted by GMC
Even though
* PTE is computer-based
* Faster results (usually 48 hrs)
GMC does NOT accept PTE** for PLAB or registration
OET (Alternative to IELTS)
✅ Accepted by GMC
Required score:
Grade B in all 4 sections
Advantage:
* Medical-focused language * Easier for doctors compared to IELTS
Quick Summary
| Exam | Accepted for PLAB/GMC | Remarks |
|IELTS Academic | ✅ Yes | Most popular |
|OET | ✅ Yes | Medical-oriented |
|PTE (PET) | ❌ No | Not valid for GMC |
* 📘IELTS vs OET – which is easier for doctors
* 📅PLAB + IELTS timeline
* 📝IELTS preparation strategy (doctor-friendly)
✅ Recommendation
If your goal is PLAB → GMC → UK job:
* Choose IELTS Academic or OET9
* Do NOT take PTE