PLAB 2 Exam: Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the PLAB 2 exam?

PLAB 2 is the second and final part of the PLAB exam, run by the General Medical Council (GMC). It's an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) that tests whether international medical graduates can practise safely in the UK. Passing it is one of the last requirements before you get GMC registration.

Q: Who needs to take PLAB 2?

If you qualified outside the UK, EEA, or a country with a GMC-recognised qualification, you need to pass PLAB 2 to apply for GMC registration. You do PLAB 1 first, then PLAB 2.

Q: How many stations are in PLAB 2?

PLAB 2 has 18 OSCE stations. Each one lasts 8 minutes. You get 2 minutes of reading time before each station. Use that time to figure out the core task and plan your approach.

Q: What types of stations appear in PLAB 2?

Most stations are consultation-based. You'll do history taking, explanation and counselling, breaking bad news, shared decision-making, and telephone consultations. Some stations are joint stations, where two linked scenarios are tested together. Clinical examination is rarely the main focus. Communication and clinical reasoning are what the exam is really testing.

Q: Is PLAB 2 a pass/fail exam?

Yes. The GMC doesn't give you a score. You pass or you fail. If you fail, you get a performance profile showing the domains where you fell below the pass standard. You won't get a breakdown by station.

Q: What clinical areas does PLAB 2 test?

GP and general medicine make up the bulk of PLAB 2. Common areas include acute presentations, chronic disease management (diabetes, hypertension, asthma), mental health (depression, anxiety, self-harm), paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, and surgical scenarios. You won't see much highly specialised or procedural content.

Q: What communication frameworks are important?

ICE (Ideas, Concerns, Expectations) comes up in almost every station. You need to know it cold. Calgary-Cambridge is the broader structure examiners mark against. You also need to show safety netting, shared decision-making, and the ability to explain things without medical jargon. These aren't extras you bolt on at the end. They are the exam.

Q: Is clinical examination tested in PLAB 2?

Rarely. A few stations include a targeted examination component, but PLAB 2 is testing your consultation skills above everything else. Candidates who focus too much on clinical procedures and not enough on communication tend to underperform.

Q: How long should I prepare for PLAB 2?

Most candidates who pass first time spend 3 to 6 months preparing. Reading alone won't cut it. You need active, repeated practice in real consultation scenarios. Passive revision doesn't prepare you for 8 minutes of live performance under pressure.

Q: Can I prepare for PLAB 2 on my own?

You can read on your own, but you can't skip roleplay. The exam is a live performance under time pressure. You build that skill by doing it repeatedly, not by reading about it. Practise real consultations as often as you can. A partner is great, but tools that let you practise without scheduling around someone else's availability are worth using too.

Question 1

What is the PLAB 2 exam?

Question 2

Who needs to take PLAB 2?

Question 3

How many stations are in PLAB 2?

Question 4

What types of stations appear in PLAB 2?

Question 5

Is PLAB 2 a pass/fail exam?

Question 6

What clinical areas does PLAB 2 test?

Question 7

What communication frameworks are important?

Question 8

Is clinical examination tested in PLAB 2?

Question 9

How long should I prepare for PLAB 2?

Question 10

Can I prepare for PLAB 2 on my own?

Question 11

How can Medi8 help me prepare for PLAB 2?

Question 12

What resources do PLAB 2 candidates typically use?

Question 13

Where is PLAB 2 held?

Question 14

How do I book a PLAB 2 date?

Question 15

How many times can I sit PLAB 2?

Question 16

What is the PLAB 2 pass rate?

Question 17

What should I bring to PLAB 2?

Question 18

How am I assessed during each station?

Question 19

When will I get my PLAB 2 results?

Question 20

What feedback do I get if I fail?

Question 21

Does passing PLAB 2 mean I can start working in the UK?

Ready to start practising?