United Kingdom · Licensing testHow do PLAB 1 questions work?
Each question starts with a short scenario followed by a question, and you choose the right answer from five. The GMC says PLAB 1 tests your ability to apply your knowledge to caring for patients, not how well you can remember and recite facts.
You mark your answers on a double-sided paper answer sheet, which is why HB pencils are on the list of things to bring. The GMC’s PLAB 1 page shows an example of the sheet, with instructions for filling it in.
What you can’t take into the PLAB 1 hall
Leave these outside the exam room:
- Mobile phones, calculators and other electronic devices, including smart or AI wearables
- Wristwatches of any kind: analogue, digital or smart
- Coats, bags and other personal items
You won’t need a watch. The time is shown in the hall, and invigilators give time checks.
Is PLAB 1 online?
No. You sit PLAB 1 in person at a test centre and mark a paper answer sheet. The dates page has the sittings, and the test centres page lists where PLAB 1 runs.
Sources: GMC and 2 more. Checked November 2026.
- GMC: What is the PLAB 1 exam? ↗
- GMC: PLAB 1: what can you expect on the day? ↗
- GMC: When and where can I take PLAB 1? ↗
Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.
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