Step 2: Pass PLAB 1 — It Is More Doable Than You Think
Many doctors find PLAB 1 manageable with a focused study plan. PLABable can be enough for preparation if you use it consistently. The exam is not as overwhelming as it may seem and with a couple of months of dedicated study it is completely achievable.
Key Facts and Practical Details
Exam frequency and locations
PLAB 1 is offered four times a year in February, May, August and November. You can sit the exam in the following locations:
In the United Kingdom
- Belfast
- Birmingham
- Cardiff
- Edinburgh
- London
- Manchester
- Oxford
- Sheffield
Outside the United Kingdom (current GMC list)
- Sydney, Australia
- Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Toronto, Canada
- Accra, Ghana
- Cairo, Egypt
- New Delhi, India
- Bangalore, India
- Mumbai, India
- Chennai, India
- Hyderabad, India
- Nairobi, Kenya
- Abuja, Nigeria
- Enugu, Nigeria
- Lagos, Nigeria
- Islamabad, Pakistan
- Karachi, Pakistan
- Lahore, Pakistan
- Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Johannesburg, South Africa
- Colombo, Sri Lanka
- Dubai, United Arab Emirates
(General Medical Council, 2025a)
Passing rates
Recent GMC data shows a pass rate of about seventy to seventy two percent in recent years. In 2023 the pass rate was seventy two percent and in 2024 it was about seventy point five percent (General Medical Council, 2025b).
Cost
The exam fee is approximately two hundred and forty seven to two hundred and fifty five British pounds.
My Preparation and Results
I used PLABable as my only preparation resource. My initial plan was to study for one hundred days doing one hundred questions each day. Due to work commitments I ended up studying for eighty five days instead, but I still managed to go through the question bank twice. This consistent practice helped me achieve a score of one hundred and sixty one out of one hundred and eighty. It proved to me that quality and regularity of study matter more than sticking to a perfect schedule.
Summary Table
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Frequency | Four times a year (February, May, August, November) |
| Locations | 8 UK cities and 21 overseas cities |
| Cost | £247–£255 |
| Pass Rate | Around 70–72 percent |
| My Strategy | 100 questions per day (85 days total, two full rounds) |
| My Score | 161 out of 180 |
References
General Medical Council. (2025a). When and where can I take PLAB 1. Retrieved from https://www.gmc-uk.org/registration-and-licensing/join-our-registers/plab/plab-1-guide/when-and-where-can-i-take-plab-1
General Medical Council. (2025b). Recent pass rates for PLAB 1 and PLAB 2. Retrieved from https://www.gmc-uk.org/registration-and-licensing/join-our-registers/plab/recent-pass-rates-for-plab-1-and-plab-2
UpGrad Abroad. (2024). PLAB 1 exam guide and fees. Retrieved from https://www.upgrad.com/study-abroad/exam/plab/1-guide
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