To be eligible to sit for PLAB 1 you need the following things:

1. Completed Primary Medical Qualification (PMQ)
2. Required score obtained in IELTS/OET

You DO NOT need to have your house-job/internship completed in order to sit for PLAB 1

Primary Medical Qualification for PLAB 1

Your Primary Medical Qualification (PMQ) is the degree that allowed you to be a doctor. The title of the degree differs in many countries. For example, it was MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery) for me.

In order to be eligible to take PLAB 1 exam you need to have passed the final exam which awards you that degree. You don’t need to have the decorative diploma at hand. You need to have your results out that you have passed the final exams for your PMQ degree.

English Language Proficiency

Two different tests are approved by GMC for taking PLAB exams-

1. IELTS (Academic)
2. OET (Medicine)

Do I need to take IELTS/OET for PLAB?

Yes and no. After February 6, 2018, if you want to apply for PLAB, you can also take another English Language proficiency test called Occupational English Test (OET) instead of IELTS. And that will cover everything from the start to the end.

As a rule of thumb, if you have finished your primary medical graduation in a non-English speaking country, you have to take IELTS/OET for PLAB and GMC registration, even if you are British Citizen. There is NO believable way you can prove to GMC that, in a non-English speaking country –

• all of the course, including clinical activities, was taught and examined solely in English
• at least 75% of any course related clinical interaction, including personal contact with patients, their families and other healthcare professionals, was conducted in English.

You also have to take IELTS/OET and subsequently PLAB if you are a non-UK/EEA citizen who have graduated from a EEA university but don’t have license to work as a doctor in the that EEA country.

How can I be exempt from IELTS/OET?

As mentioned above, if you have graduated from a non-English speaking country, there is no way to get exempt from IELTS/OET for PLAB and GMC registration. However, for Tier 2 visa you don’t need any valid IELTS/OET as you would already hold GMC registration. Also you won’t need an IELTS/OET if you are going to the UK for PLAB 2 visa or in Tier 2 Dependent visa.

When can I take IELTS?

Good. Now we’re talking sense. This test is administered by three different organisations around the would in many different venues round the calendar.

• British Council
• IDP Education, Australia
• Cambridge Assessment of ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages)

How much do I have to score in IELTS?

The requirements of IELTS for PLAB 1, you must have a minimum of 7.5 score with a minimum of 7.0 in all four modules (listening, reading, writing and speaking) e.g. You got 8 overall but in writing you got 6.5- ergo you’re not eligible.

How much does IELTS cost?

Roughly, IELTS costs around £160. Look up the cost of IELTS (under British Council) by choosing your country on this page of British council website.

Planning on the dates

• You will have to choose the month you want to sit for the PLAB 1 exam. Generally the exam takes place in March and November in overseas centers. Some overseas centers have even started taking PLAB 1 in June & September. In the UK it takes place four times a year, March, June, September & November. Your plan for IELTS/OET follows that decision.
• Getting the required scores in IELTS/OET in the very first attempt, although it may seem daunting, is not impossible. Keep in mind, if you’re unable to clear it, you will have to take it again. So, if you aren’t confident enough, you should start taking the English language exam earlier.

Plan for booking PLAB 1

IELTS take roughly 2 weeks (13 days) to publish their results. OET tends to take 7-10 business days. Overseas closing dates for booking PLAB 1 closes usually 1 month before the exam. But in reality, the probability of getting booked exactly 1 month beforehand is risky.

To be safe, it’s better to book 2 months prior to the actual test date of the PLAB 1 exam date or sooner. The sooner you book, the better. (By booking, it means already paying for the test on that date, at that test center.) To book for PLAB 1 test, you need to have a GMC Online account.

Plan for booking IELTS/OET

For example, you have decided you will attempt PLAB 1 in November 2019. Ideally, by September 2019 you MUST have obtained the required band scores in IELTS/OET. If you’re unsure about your proficiency in English, you should start prepping for it from June 2019. Start your IELTS/OET attempts from August 2018. By mid-August, you’ll get your results.

If you get the required score, well and good. If you don’t, then attempt within 2 weeks. By mid-September, you’ll see the results (hoping two attempts are enough, if not- plan for the next March PLAB 1). Then book for the exam in November 2018.Book your IELTS test under British council – Book an IELTS exam. And book an OET exam – Apply for OET.

How to Plan for IELTS/OET and PLAB 1

To summarize how to plan for IELTS/OET and PLAB 1:

1. Fulfill the requirements
2. Decide on a PLAB 1 date
3. Estimate time for IELTS/OET preparation
4. Book IELTS/OET
5. Start IELTS/OET & PLAB 1 prep
6. Book PLAB 1