How many questions will I face in PLAB 1, and how much time do I get?
PLAB 1 is an applied knowledge test with 180 unique multiple-choice questions, and you get 3 hours to complete it. Each question starts with a clinical scenario and offers 5 options. It runs in February, May, August and November, though international sittings are dropping to three a year.
PLAB 1 has 180 questions and you must complete it within 3 hours. Every question begins with a patient scenario followed by a multiple-choice question with 5 options, from which you pick the single best answer.
PLAB 1 Format and Sittings
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Exam type | Applied knowledge test (multiple-choice) |
| Number of questions | 180 unique questions |
| Time allowed | 3 hours |
| Options per question | 5, with one single best answer |
| Sitting months | February, May, August and November (sittings outside the UK and EU are dropping from four to three a year) |
| Test locations for Indian students | GMC-authorised centres in India, including Bangalore, New Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Mumbai |
Where and When to Sit the Exam
- PLAB 1 tests how you apply knowledge to patient care, based on current best medical practice and equipment routinely used in the UK, not on local arrangements.
- PLAB 2 must be taken in the UK, even if you sit PLAB 1 in India.
- The February 2027 sitting is scheduled to be available only at test centres in the UK or EU. To test at an international location before that, you would need to book the November 2026 sitting, so check the official page for remaining seats.
- Venue details are shared at least 1 week before the exam by the test supplier or the British Council, so contact them if nothing arrives.
My Advice
Answer using UK clinical practice, even if your hospital does things differently. If you want to sit in India, decide quickly, because the February 2027 sitting is scheduled to be UK or EU only.
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