PLAB Part 1 — Free Online Mock Test
180 SBA questions / 3 hours. · Official language: English.
PLAB exam at a glance
PLAB full-length mock tests
Attempt 50 full-length PLAB mock tests, each a distinct question set built on the real 180-question, 180-minute pattern — with instant scoring and section-wise analysis. The first 3 are free.
See all 50 PLAB mock tests →PLAB key facts & eligibility
| Conducting body | General Medical Council (GMC), UK |
|---|---|
| Official website | gmc-uk.org ↗ |
| Mode | The Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) test — the GMC’s assessment route for International Medical Graduates seeking registration with a licence to practise medicine in the UK. Candidates must pass both PLAB 1 and PLAB 2. |
| Frequency | PLAB 1 is held in scheduled sittings; PLAB 2 is booked by appointment at the GMC clinical assessment centre. |
| Scoring & marking | PLAB 1 is a written exam of 180 single-best-answer multiple-choice questions (each with five options) in 3 hours. PLAB 2 is an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) of 16 stations, each 8 minutes long, simulating real clinical settings. Both parts are pass/fail against a set standard. |
| Language | English (English-language competence must be evidenced separately, via IELTS Academic or OET Medicine). |
Who is eligible for PLAB?
For International Medical Graduates with a recognised primary medical qualification and a GMC Online account; candidates must evidence that their medical qualification and English-language knowledge are acceptable before booking.
Last verified July 2026 against GMC — A guide to the PLAB test. Always confirm current details on the official website before you register.
PLAB section breakdown
The PLAB mock test on Wrexa Edge replicates the real exam's section structure — same names, same question count per section, same time limits. Inter-section breaks are enforced.
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PLAB Part 1 — Full Paper (180 Q)
PLAB scoring & marking scheme
Strategy: PLAB has no negative marking. Attempt every question — blank answers cost you potential marks but cannot pull your score down.
Scale: PLAB Part 1 (pass ~63%).
How PLAB is conducted
- Mode
- Test format
- Backtracking
- Mark for review
PLAB time strategy
With 180 questions in 180 minutes, you have about 60 seconds per question on average. Successful candidates aim for the following pacing on each section:
- PLAB Part 1 — Full Paper (180 Q)
Wrexa Edge's analytics show your actual time-per-question after every mock so you can spot which sections you're losing time on.
PLAB topics covered
Across the 50 Wrexa Edge variants of PLAB, the following topics appear most often (sample distribution from one variant):
PLAB Part 1 — Full Paper (180 Q)
- Bacteriology · 14
- Obstetric Emergencies · 12
- Obstetrics · 10
- Neonatology · 9
- Respiratory · 7
- Endocrinology · 7
- Schizophrenia & Psychosis · 7
- Cardiovascular · 7
PLAB difficulty calibration
Advanced tier. Advanced-level: high-stakes exam with rigorous content depth. Expect 4-8 months of structured prep.
180 SBA questions / 3 hours. · Official language: English.
Verified content — Wrexa Edge's PLAB bank has been deeply curated with real exam-aligned content (estimated 100% syllabus coverage).
How Wrexa Edge prepares you for PLAB
- Real test-day interface
- 50 distinct variants
- Detailed analytics
- Spaced repetition (Notebook)
- Optional proctoring
- Free to start
Expert take: what PLAB really tests
The Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) test, run by the UK’s General Medical Council, is the assessment route for International Medical Graduates seeking registration with a licence to practise in the UK. PLAB 1 is a written exam of 180 single-best-answer multiple-choice questions in 3 hours; PLAB 2 is an Objective Structured Clinical Examination of 16 stations, each 8 minutes long. Both parts are pass/fail, and English-language competence must be evidenced separately via IELTS or OET.
Preparation tips
- Ground PLAB 1 answers in GMC Good Medical Practice.
- Rehearse the 16-station OSCE with timed communication scenarios.
- Evidence English (IELTS or OET) before booking.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Neglecting communication and examination skills for PLAB 2.
- Leaving English-language evidence too late in the process.
PLAB study plan
A phase-by-phase roadmap from your first concept to test-ready. Stretch or compress each phase to fit the time you have before your attempt.
- 180 single-best-answer questions
- Clinical scenarios across specialties
- GMC Good Medical Practice
- 16-station OSCE practice
- Communication and examination skills
- Acute and consultation scenarios
- Evidence English via IELTS or OET
- GMC Online account
- Plan the registration application
Where PLAB can take you
A strong PLAB result opens up these careers and higher-study paths:
- UK medical registration
- NHS clinical roles
Best books & official prep for PLAB
- A guide to the PLAB test — GMC
- PLAB 1 & PLAB 2 preparation resources — Various
Official practice: Prepare from the GMC’s official PLAB guidance and clinical-scenario practice for PLAB 1, and OSCE-station practice for PLAB 2.
Previous-year papers: The GMC publishes blueprints and sample questions; commercial courses provide practice OSCE stations.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the PLAB exam pattern?
- PLAB Part 1 contains 180 questions across 1 section: PLAB Part 1 — Full Paper (180 Q). Total duration is 180 minutes (about 60 seconds per question).
- Does PLAB have negative marking?
- No — PLAB has no negative marking. Each correct answer is worth 1 mark, so attempt every question.
- How is PLAB scored?
- Scaled score range: 0 to 100. PLAB Part 1 (pass ~63%).
- How can I practise PLAB online for free?
- Wrexa Edge gives you 3 free full-length PLAB mock tests — with instant scoring, detailed explanations and analytics — plus 47 more with Pro. Start practising in under a minute, no card required.
- What is the difficulty level of PLAB?
- PLAB is rated Advanced difficulty on Wrexa Edge. Advanced-level: high-stakes exam with rigorous content depth. Expect 4-8 months of structured prep. 180 SBA questions / 3 hours. · Official language: English.
- How long is the PLAB exam?
- PLAB runs for 180 minutes total. On Wrexa Edge the timer is enforced exactly as on the real exam — including mandatory inter-section breaks.
- What topics are covered in PLAB?
- PLAB is split into: PLAB Part 1 — Full Paper (180 Q). Each section is timed and weighted separately. 180 SBA questions / 3 hours. · Official language: English.
- What tools or aids are allowed during PLAB?
- No special tools are required.
- Is the PLAB test adaptive?
- No — PLAB is a fixed-form (linear) test. Every candidate sees the same number of questions per section.
- How many PLAB mock tests does Wrexa Edge offer?
- Wrexa Edge generates 50 distinct PLAB variants — each with different question content, not just shuffled options — the first 3 free for everyone and 47 more with Pro. That's 9000 unique practice questions in the real test-day interface.
- Is there a free PLAB test series 2026?
- Yes. The Wrexa Edge PLAB test series for 2026 gives you 3 free full-length mock tests (50 in total) plus subject-wise and topic-wise tests — instant scoring and detailed analysis, no card required.
- Are PLAB previous year question–style papers included?
- Every PLAB mock is modelled on the official exam pattern and the style of previous years' papers — the same 180-question structure, sections and marking — so your practice mirrors the real paper you'll sit.
- Which is the best free PLAB mock test online?
- Wrexa Edge's PLAB mock test replicates the real exam interface, timing and marking scheme, with instant score, section-wise analysis and 50 fresh variants — a strong free choice for 2026 preparation.
- Can I take the PLAB mock test on mobile?
- Yes. PLAB mock tests run in any browser on mobile, tablet or desktop — no app or download needed. Start on your phone and your progress and analytics sync when you sign in.
- What is the PLAB syllabus?
- The PLAB syllabus maps to its 1 section: PLAB Part 1 — Full Paper (180 Q). Wrexa Edge's mock tests cover the complete syllabus topic by topic — see the topics-covered breakdown above — so you practise every area at real exam difficulty.
- What is the eligibility for PLAB?
- For International Medical Graduates with a recognised primary medical qualification and a GMC Online account; candidates must evidence that their medical qualification and English-language knowledge are acceptable before booking. Wrexa Edge focuses on realistic PLAB practice: 3 free full-length mocks in the exact exam pattern, ready whenever you are.
- When is the PLAB exam and how should I prepare?
- Official PLAB exam dates are announced by the conducting body for each cycle — check the latest notification for the current schedule. To be ready, follow a phased study plan and take full-length timed mocks; Wrexa Edge gives you 3 free PLAB mocks with instant scoring so you can track your readiness week by week.
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