2026 Question Bank · UK Registration · GMC Route

The PLAB 1 Question Bank
Built for UK Practice

AI-adaptive PLAB 1 single-best-answer practice mapped to the GMC content map — UK-style clinical decision making, NICE-aligned explanations and full timed mocks, built for international medical graduates heading to GMC registration.

1,109+ PLAB 1 practice questions
180 SBAs in the real exam
4.9★ Average user rating
✓ GMC Content Map Aligned ✓ Single Best Answer Format ✓ AI Weak-Area Tracking ✓ Full Mock Tests ✓ iOS & Android App
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What Is the PLAB 1 Exam?

PLAB 1 is the first part of the Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board test, run by the General Medical Council (GMC). It is the principal route by which international medical graduates (IMGs) show they are ready to practise safely in the UK. It is a written paper of 180 single best answer (SBA) questions sat in 3 hours.

PLAB 1 is not a test of obscure facts. It assesses how you apply clinical knowledge to UK practice — choosing the safest, most appropriate next step in diagnosis, investigation, prescribing and management for common and important presentations.

💡 What PLAB 1 really tests

Most questions describe a realistic clinical scenario and ask for the single best next action. The five options are usually all plausible — your job is to pick the one that is safest and most aligned with current UK and NICE guidance. This is why UK-style question practice beats textbook reading for most candidates.

Passing PLAB 1 lets you book PLAB 2, the practical OSCE held at the GMC's clinical assessment centre in Manchester. Together they form the standard pathway to full GMC registration with a licence to practise.

PLAB 1 Format: 180 SBAs in 3 Hours

Understanding the mechanics of the paper is the first step to a calm, well-paced exam day.

The Paper
Single Best Answer (SBA)
Questions180 SBAs
Duration3 hours
Pace~1 min / question
Negative markingNone
Each item is a scenario stem with five options; you choose the single best next step in diagnosis, investigation or management.
Standard & Result
Angoff-Set Pass Mark
Pass markVaries (Angoff)
Typical region~⅔ correct
SittingsMultiple per year
WhereUK & intl. centres
The pass mark is standard-set per diet, so it shifts slightly with paper difficulty. With no negative marking, never leave a question blank.
✓ Pacing is a scoring skill

At roughly one minute per question, time pressure is real. Flag hard items, bank the easy marks first, and always submit an answer — there is no negative marking. Practising under full timed conditions is the single most effective way to protect marks you already know.

Who Needs PLAB — and Eligibility

PLAB is for international medical graduates seeking full GMC registration with a licence to practise. Before you can book PLAB 1 you must have:

  • A recognised primary medical qualification accepted by the GMC.
  • Evidence of English proficiency — IELTS (Academic) or OET at the required level, valid at the time of application.
  • A GMC Online account to book your exam and manage your application.

Some doctors are exempt from PLAB — for example, those holding an acceptable postgraduate qualification (such as certain Royal College memberships) or coming through other GMC-approved routes. Always confirm your specific route on the official GMC website before booking.

⚠ Watch your validity windows

You must pass PLAB 2 within two years of passing PLAB 1, and apply for registration within two years of passing PLAB 2. Plan your sittings so these windows don't expire — repeating PLAB 1 because of a lapsed window is a costly, avoidable setback.

PLAB 1 High-Yield Topics: Where to Focus

PLAB 1 is mapped to the GMC content map and the outcomes expected of a UK Foundation doctor. Coverage is broad, but marks cluster around common and important conditions and safe first-line management.

Highest-Yield Clinical Areas

  • Acute & Emergency Medicine: sepsis recognition, anaphylaxis, ACLS principles, the acutely unwell patient, A–E assessment.
  • Cardiology & Respiratory: ACS and heart failure pathways, arrhythmias, asthma/COPD escalation, PE and pneumonia management.
  • Prescribing & Therapeutics: safe prescribing, interactions, anticoagulation, antibiotics — tested throughout every system.
  • Psychiatry & Mental Health: risk assessment, Mental Capacity Act, Mental Health Act sections, common presentations.
  • Obstetrics & Gynaecology: antenatal care, pre-eclampsia, bleeding in pregnancy, contraception, common gynae emergencies.
  • Paediatrics: the febrile child, NICE traffic-light assessment, safeguarding, developmental milestones.
  • Ethics, Law & Patient Safety: consent and capacity, confidentiality, duty of candour, raising concerns.
💡 The "UK answer" matters

The most common reason capable doctors lose PLAB 1 marks is choosing management that is correct in their home system but not the expected UK first-line. Practising guideline-aligned SBAs trains you to recognise the answer PLAB is looking for.

How to Prepare for PLAB 1: A Question-Led Plan

Most candidates need 6 to 12 weeks depending on how recently they trained and whether they're working alongside study. The plan below is question-bank led, which produces the best score gain per hour for most doctors. See also our PLAB preparation guides on the MedLumen blog.

Week 1–2 · Baseline & Foundations
Diagnose your gaps with system-by-system SBAs
Start answering questions from day one rather than reading first. Work through one or two systems, reviewing every explanation in full — including why the wrong options are wrong. Let the analytics dashboard surface your weakest areas so the rest of your plan is targeted, not generic.
Week 3–5 · High-Yield Systems
Acute medicine, cardiology, prescribing, psychiatry
Cover the highest-yield areas in timed blocks of 20–40 questions. For every block, read the explanation and note the UK first-line management and NICE pathway. Prescribing and acute care run through the whole paper — don't treat them as separate topics.
Week 6 · Complete Coverage + Mock 1
Finish remaining systems, then a full timed mock
Round out O&G, paediatrics, ethics/law and the smaller specialties, then sit your first full 180-question mock under exam conditions. Score honestly — the result tells you exactly where to spend your final weeks.
Final Week · Targeted Review
Weak areas, bookmarks, and a final mock
Use your analytics to drill only your three lowest-accuracy areas. Sit a final mock 3–4 days out, then in the last 48 hours review bookmarked questions only. Rest before exam day — a 3-hour, 180-question paper rewards a clear head.

Why MedLumen for PLAB 1 Preparation?

🤖
AI Adaptive Question Selection
Our AI tracks your accuracy across every PLAB 1 system and surfaces the questions that expose your gaps, so every session targets where your score can rise fastest.
📊
Live Pass Predictor & Analytics
Track accuracy by subject and your projected standing in real time, so you always know whether you're tracking above the pass mark.
📱
iOS & Android App
Practise SBAs on the iOS app or Android app, with progress synced across all devices.
📋
Full-Length Mock Tests
Timed 180-question mocks that replicate the real paper's pace and pressure, so exam day feels familiar.
📖
NICE-Aligned Explanations
Every answer is explained against current NICE guidance and UK practice — so you learn the expected first-line, not just the fact.
🔄
Unlimited Progress Resets
Reset and start fresh as often as you need — ideal if you're sitting PLAB 1 across more than one diet.

PLAB 1 Curriculum Coverage

MedLumen's PLAB 1 question bank spans the GMC content map. Explore questions and your performance by area:

Cardiology Cardiovascular System Dermatology Emergency Medicine & Trauma Endocrinology & Diabetes ENT (Otorhinolaryngology) Epidemiology & Public Health Ethics & Law (GMC Guidelines) Gastroenterology Gastrointestinal System General Surgery & Perioperative Care Genetics Haematology Neurology Neurology Ophthalmology Orthopaedics & Rheumatology Paediatrics Psychiatry Renal & Urology Reproductive System (Obs & Gyn) Respiratory Respiratory System

PLAB 1 Question Bank Pricing

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Ideal across multiple sittings

Frequently Asked Questions About PLAB 1

What is the PLAB 1 exam?
PLAB 1 is the first part of the GMC's Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board test — the main route for international medical graduates to demonstrate readiness to practise in the UK. It is a written paper of 180 single best answer (SBA) questions in 3 hours, testing the application of clinical knowledge to UK practice. Passing it lets you book PLAB 2, the practical OSCE in Manchester.
How many questions are in PLAB 1 and how long is it?
There are 180 SBA questions answered in 3 hours — about one minute each. Every item is a scenario stem with five options; you select the single best next step. There is no negative marking, so attempt every question.
What is the PLAB 1 pass mark?
There is no fixed pass mark. It is set per sitting using the Angoff method, so it varies slightly with paper difficulty — historically in the region of two-thirds of the marks (roughly 120+/180). The exact figure is published with each diet's results.
Who needs to take PLAB?
International medical graduates seeking full GMC registration with a licence to practise, who don't qualify through an exempt route. Before booking PLAB 1 you need a recognised primary medical qualification and to meet the GMC's English requirement via IELTS Academic or OET. Some doctors with eligible postgraduate qualifications can register without PLAB.
What topics does PLAB 1 cover?
It follows the GMC content map and Foundation-level outcomes: medicine, surgery, O&G, paediatrics, psychiatry, emergency medicine and general practice, plus prescribing, investigations, ethics and law, and patient safety. Emphasis is on common, important conditions and safe, guideline-based first-line management.
How long should I prepare for PLAB 1?
Most candidates need 6–12 weeks. The most efficient method is question-led: work SBAs by system, review every explanation, and use timed mocks to build pacing. Starting with questions rather than reading textbooks cover-to-cover produces better recall for most doctors.
Why do strong doctors still fail PLAB 1?
Usually because the expected UK first-line management, referral pathways or prescribing conventions differ from their home system. PLAB rewards the safest, most guideline-aligned option — which is exactly what UK-style SBA practice trains.
Is there a free PLAB 1 question bank or free trial?
Yes — a 7-day free trial with full access to the PLAB 1 question bank, mock tests and AI analytics, no credit card required to start.
Can I prepare for PLAB 1 on my phone?
Yes. The PLAB 1 question bank is on the iOS App Store and Google Play, with bookmarks and progress synced in real time across devices.
What happens after I pass PLAB 1?
You can book PLAB 2, a 16-station OSCE in Manchester. You must pass PLAB 2 within two years of passing PLAB 1, and apply for GMC registration within two years of passing PLAB 2.
Is MedLumen's PLAB 1 content updated for 2026?
Yes. Our medical editors keep content aligned with current NICE guidelines, GMC Good Medical Practice and the latest GMC content map, revising explanations as guidance changes.

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📚 Further Reading from MedLumen Blog

→ How to Pass PLAB 1 on Your First Attempt (2026)
→ How to Pass MRCP Part 1: The Honest Guide for Working Doctors
→ All MedLumen exam preparation guides →