Pass your next PLAB exam

With a little help from Pastest.

Step one

OET & IELTS Course

Step one of your PLAB 1 journey.

  • 225+ hours of targeted lessons
  • Step-by-step strategies for both OET and IELTS
  • Study at your own pace with 3 months of unlimited access
  • Required for IMGs to pass prior to applying for their PLAB 1 exam
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Step two

PLAB 1

Available with monthly rolling, 3 or 6 months of access.

  • Full access to our learning textbook
  • Unlimited access to over 3,000 questions from the Qbank
  • 2 specially curated Past Papers
  • Free access to our Exam Essentials course worth £149.99 with our 3 and 6 month access
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Just want the course?

PLAB 1 Exam Essentials

6 months access

  • 26+ hours of High Yield on-demand teaching videos
  • Each topic has a specific Q&A session for bespoke teaching
  • Taught by experienced medical professionals
  • Fully flexible, accessible anytime
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Step three

PLAB 2

Coming soon...

Your ultimate exam preparation toolkit

Tailored to suit your study style, these tools ensure an interactive, effective, and on-the-go learning experience.

Question Bank

Master the PLAB 1 exam with our Question Bank, featuring over 3,500 Single Best Answer questions designed to mirror the real exam format.

Past Papers

Practice with real exam formats to build confidence and familiarity. Timed sessions and topic-specific filters help you test your knowledge in realistic conditions, pinpoint gaps, and strengthen recall through focused review.

Exam Essentials Course

Offers 26 high-yield on-demand modules with in-depth Q&A sessions, taught by experienced medical professionals. Fully flexible and accessible anytime, it’s designed to help you prepare with confidence.
Learn more

Mobile App

This latest app release is packed out with exam-format questions, topic-based content, greater performance, enhanced usability and so much more! Download on iOS or Android today to get started.
Download on iOS

Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB)

PLAB, or the Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board test, is a two-part assessment required for doctors who qualified outside the UK to demonstrate their knowledge and skills for practicing medicine in the UK. It is regulated by the General Medical Council (GMC)

Step One - IELTS or OET Exam

Before applying for PLAB 1, you’ll need to prove your English skills. This is done by passing either the OET (Medicine) or IELTS (Academic) exam.
1

About the OET

OET (Medicine) is specifically designed for healthcare professionals and tests your English in medical and clinical contexts.You’ll be tested on scenarios relevant to doctors, such as patient consultations, referral letters, and medical texts.

2

About the IELTS

IELTS (Academic) is more general but still widely accepted by the GMC (General Medical Council) and healthcare employers. Both are recognised by the GMC as proof of your ability to communicate effectively and safely with patients, colleagues, and other healthcare professionals in the UK.

3

OET Exam format

The OET (Medicine) is structured around real-life healthcare scenarios. It includes a listening test (around 45 minutes) based on consultations and healthcare talks, a one-hour reading test using medical texts and professional articles, a 45-minute writing task where you’ll produce a profession-specific letter such as a referral or discharge summary, and a 20-minute speaking exam built around role-play scenarios with a simulated patient.

4

IELTS Exam format

The IELTS Academic exam is more general. It begins with a 30-minute listening test covering a mix of social and academic conversations, followed by a one-hour reading test based on academic passages. You’ll also complete a 60-minute writing test, which includes an academic essay and task-based writing, and finally, a short speaking test lasting 11–14 minutes, where you’ll take part in an interview and discussion with an examiner.

5

How to apply for OET

Register directly on the OET website, select your profession (Medicine), and book your test at an authorised test centre or via OET@Home (online).

Apply here
6

How to apply for IELTS

Book through the IELTS official website, British Council, or IDP. Choose IELTS Academic, and select a convenient test date and location.

Apply here
7

Revision and preparation

Preparing for either exam can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. Our IELTS & OET Course, designed specifically for IMGs, gives you the chance to practise with real exam-style questions, sharpen your medical communication skills, learn proven strategies to maximise your score, and receive personalised feedback from experienced tutors - helping you feel confident and prepared to pass on your first attempt.

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Step two - PLAB 1 Exam

At Pastest we know all there is to know about the PLAB 1 exam - and how to help you pass!
1

About PLAB 1

Before you can progress to PLAB 2, you must first pass PLAB 1, the written exam. It is a multiple-choice test designed to assess your ability to apply medical knowledge to the kind of scenarios you are likely to face as a junior doctor in the UK.

2

PLAB 1 Exam format

You’ll answer 180 single best answer (SBA) questions over the course of three hours. Each question presents a brief clinical scenario, and you’ll need to choose the most appropriate response from five possible options.

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3

PLAB 1 Exam Content

The content of PLAB 1 covers the common, important conditions seen in UK practice, with an emphasis on safe management and best outcomes for patients. It is based on the GMC’s PLAB blueprint, which reflects real practice for a doctor entering the NHS at Foundation Year 2 level.

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4

How to apply for PLAB 1

To sit PLAB 1, you must first create an account on the GMC Online Services portal. Once registered, you can book your exam at an approved test centre in the UK or overseas, depending on availability. The exam is offered several times each year, so it’s important to plan ahead and secure your preferred date early. You will need to provide proof of your primary medical qualification and your English language test results when booking.

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Revision and preparation

Preparing for PLAB 1 can feel challenging, but focused preparation makes a real difference. Our PLAB 1 6-month preparation access is built to help IMGs succeed, with high-yield question practice, exam strategy tips, and expert guidance so you can approach exam day with confidence and pass on your first attempt.

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Step three - PLAB 2 Exam

At Pastest we know all there is to know about the PLAB 2 exam - and how to help you pass!
1

About PLAB 2

After passing PLAB 1, the next step is PLAB 2, the practical, clinical exam. This assesses your ability to apply medical knowledge in real-world clinical situations, testing communication, examination, and practical skills with simulated patients.

2

PLAB 2 Exam format

PLAB 2 is structured as an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), with a series of short stations where you’ll face different clinical scenarios. At each station, you’ll be assessed on your ability to take patient histories, perform examinations, communicate effectively, and make safe clinical decisions.

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3

PLAB 2 Exam Content

The exam content focuses on common conditions and clinical situations relevant to junior doctors in the NHS. It is designed to ensure you can provide safe, effective care and communicate appropriately with patients and colleagues.

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4

How to apply for PLAB 2

You can book PLAB 2 through the GMC Online Services portal once you have passed PLAB 1. The exam is held at designated test centres in the UK, with a limited number of seats, so early booking is recommended. You will need to provide proof of your PLAB 1 pass and meet all GMC eligibility requirements.

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Revision and preparation

While we don’t currently offer a dedicated PLAB 2 preparation course, we are working on bringing one soon. In the meantime, familiarising yourself with OSCE-style scenarios, practicing clinical skills, and reviewing GMC guidance will help you approach the exam with confidence.