PLAB 2 Exam
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PLAB 2 Exam Overview: Format, Marking Criteria, Dates, Eligibility & Costs
Everything International Medical Graduates Need to Know About the GMC PLAB 2 Exam
Exam Format
PLAB 2 is a clinical and professional skills assessment (CPSA) in an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) format, conducted in person at the GMC's Clinical Assessment Centres in Manchester.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Number of stations | 16 scenarios in total, including at least 2 rest stations |
| Reading time per station | 2 minutes outside the room to read the instructions before entering |
| Time per station | 8 minutes |
| Total exam duration | Approximately 3 hours |
| Format | In-person OSCE — simulated consultations, telephone stations, and practical procedure stations |
| Who you interact with | Trained actors as simulated patients; occasionally a high-fidelity simulator for practical procedures |
| Location | Manchester only — two GMC Clinical Assessment Centres |
| How to start each station | Confirm your name and GMC number at the start — the examiner may be observing remotely, not in the room |
PLAB 2 is only held in Manchester, UK. If you are based overseas, you must factor in travel, accommodation, and visa costs in addition to the exam fee.
Exam Marking Criteria
Every station is marked across the same three domains by a trained GMC examiner. The marking is not a checklist — examiners assess your overall performance within each domain throughout the station.
| Domain | What It Assesses |
|---|---|
| Data Gathering, Technical and Assessment Skills | History taking, physical examination, practical procedures, and investigations leading to a diagnosis |
| Clinical Management Skills | Formulating a diagnosis, explaining findings to the patient, and constructing an appropriate management plan |
| Interpersonal Skills | Establishing rapport, using open and closed questioning, involving the patient, and demonstrating professionalism and understanding of ethical principles |
How the Pass Mark is Set
There is no fixed pass mark. To pass PLAB 2 you must meet both of the following:
- Meet or exceed the total cut score — calculated by adding up the cut scores for each station, plus one standard error of measurement
- Pass the minimum required number of stations — calculated individually for each exam using a regression method (in place since November 2024, replacing the previous fixed minimum of 10 stations)
Examiner insight: The exam tests whether you can apply clinical knowledge safely in practice — not whether you can recall facts. All questions and stations relate to current UK best practice at the level expected of a Foundation Programme Year 2 (F2) doctor.
Strong performance in one station does not compensate for unsafe practice in another. Each station is independently marked — consistent performance across all stations is what passes the exam.
PLAB 2 is not a test of what you know. It is a test of how you practise — safely, professionally, and in partnership with the patient.
Exam 2026 Dates
PLAB 2 is available year-round, with multiple exam dates each month at the GMC's two Clinical Assessment Centres in Manchester.
Specific PLAB 2 dates are only visible after logging into your GMC Online account under My Tests. Slots fill quickly — especially around UK Foundation Programme application windows. Check your account regularly and book as soon as you are eligible.
How to Book
- All bookings are made through your GMC Online account — My Tests section
- You can only book after passing PLAB 1
- You must pay the full exam fee at the time of booking — no instalments are available
- You cannot reschedule — to change your date you must cancel and rebook (cancellation fees apply)
You must pass PLAB 2 within 2 years of passing PLAB 1. Your pass date is the date you sat the test — not the date results were issued.
Exam Eligibility
To sit PLAB 2, you must meet all of the following requirements:
- Hold a primary medical qualification (PMQ) recognised by the GMC — from a medical school listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools
- Have a verified GMC Online account with approved documents
- Have passed PLAB 1
- Meet the GMC's English language requirements — IELTS Academic (overall 7.5, minimum 7.0 in each component) or OET Medicine (grade B in all four skills)
Your English language certificate must be less than 2 years old on the date you book the exam — not the date you sit it. Check your certificate's expiry before booking.
Number of Permitted Attempts
| Attempt | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Attempts 1–4 | You may rebook and resit after each failure |
| 5th attempt | Requires a formal application to the GMC — not automatically granted |
| After 5th failure | You are no longer eligible to take PLAB 2 |
Refugee doctors living in the UK are entitled to a 50% fee reduction on their first two PLAB 2 attempts. Contact the GMC directly to arrange this — it is not applied automatically.
Exam Results
PLAB 2 results are released approximately 4 weeks after the exam. You will be notified by email and can access your results through the My Tests section of your GMC Online account.
What You Receive
- A pass or fail outcome
- Quantitative feedback — your marks in each of the three domains (each domain is scored out of the same total, so you can see where you were stronger or weaker)
- Qualitative feedback — examiner-selected feedback statements for each station, indicating areas for development
Review your domain feedback carefully after every attempt. Patterns of relative weakness — particularly in Interpersonal Skills or Clinical Management — should directly shape your preparation for a resit.
Exam Cost
The PLAB 2 exam fee is £1,036 per attempt from 1 April 2026 (increased from £998). The fee must be paid in full at the time of booking — no staged or instalment payments are available.
If you cancel less than 42 days before your exam date, you will lose the entire fee. Only book when you are certain you can attend and are ready to sit the exam.
Additional Costs to Factor In
- Travel to Manchester — flights, trains, and ground transport
- Accommodation — allow time before the exam for preparation courses and mock sessions
- UK visitor visa — required for most non-UK residents (approximately £115 for a standard 6-month visa)
- PLAB 2 preparation courses — in-person academies and mock OSCE sessions
- Resit fees — the full £1,036 applies to every attempt
Always confirm the current fee on the GMC website before booking — fees are reviewed periodically and are subject to change.
PLAB 2 is a 16-station OSCE held in person in Manchester, with 8 minutes per station and 2 minutes of reading time before each. It is marked across three domains: Data Gathering Technical and Assessment Skills, Clinical Management Skills, and Interpersonal Skills. The exam is available year-round and booked via GMC Online. The current fee is £1,036 per attempt from April 2026, paid in full at booking. Results are released approximately 4 weeks after the exam. You must pass PLAB 2 within 2 years of passing PLAB 1, with a maximum of 4 standard attempts.
Frequently Asked Questions
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