Finding available PLAB 1 exam dates these days isn’t as easy as it used to be. With the UKMLA coming up and GMC only releasing slots from time to time, booking a seat has become a real challenge.
If you’ve been searching for PLAB 1 exam dates and kept coming up empty, you’re not alone. I’ve been through the same thing myself—especially trying to book from India. It feels like it should be straightforward, right? But this is really just the first hurdle in the journey toward working abroad after MBBS.
That’s why I’ve put together this guide—to help you with the small but important details about booking your PLAB 1 exam. Hopefully, it’ll make the process a little clearer and less stressful.
PLAB 1 Exam Dates
The GMC runs PLAB 1 four times a year—in February, May, August, and November—at both UK and overseas centers.
Here are the confirmed latest PLAB 1 exam dates in 2025 and result dates:
| Exam Date | Result By |
|---|---|
| 20 February 2025 | 3 April 2025 (by 4 pm) |
| 22 May 2025 | 3 July 2025 (by 4 pm) |
| 7 August 2025 | 18 September 2025 |
| 6 November 2025 | ~18 December 2025 |
Booking Windows & Tips
- Overseas centers (like India): Close about 6 weeks before exam.
- UK centers: Close about 2 weeks ahead.
It seems there are two big booking waves each year:
- June: for February and May slots
- December: for August and November slots
So mark your calendar: if you’re targeting Aug 2025, watch out around December 2024. Want in for Nov 2025? That usually opens up by the end of 2025 too.
Updates from GMC
The new UK training pathway, shifting focus toward UKMLA and streamlining specialty entry routes, may reduce reliance on PLAB for some roles. This could mean fewer PLAB exam sittings or increased competition for GMC registration through alternative routes.
How to Find PLAB 1 Exam Dates
Once you’ve set up your GMC account and your IELTS or OET results are verified, the next step is booking your PLAB 1 exam. But actually finding PLAB 1 exam dates isn’t as simple as just logging in and picking one.
For example, in 2022, GMC released PLAB 1 slots less frequently than in previous years. That day, the GMC portal was packed—people joined the queue and saw waiting numbers in the thousands.
The official release was for PLAB 1 exam dates on 10th August 2023 and 2nd November 2023. But in reality, many candidates managed to grab seats for earlier dates like February and May 2023 as well. It really comes down to timing and a bit of luck when those slots go live.
PLAB 1 exam is held four times an year. This includes both Overseas (like India) and UK.
If you’re an IMG (International Medical Graduate with an MBBS degree) planning to take PLAB 1 in the UK, be prepared—it comes with a fair amount of travel and living costs. Making mistakes is common, maybe some tips for PLAB 1 can help you avoid them.
That’s why many doctors prefer booking PLAB 1 exam dates in India first. It’s definitely cheaper, but the challenge is finding available slots. For 2025, seats in India have been hard to secure, though it’s still worth checking regularly—you might get lucky if someone cancels or new dates open up.
Once you’ve managed to book your PLAB 1 exam date, whether in India or the UK, the next step is simple: get serious about your prep. Set up a study plan that works for you and stick to the materials you know will cover what’s needed. Having that exam date locked in usually helps give your preparation a real focus.
PLAB 1 Exam Venues
UK
You can take the PLAB 1 exam at the following centres in the UK:
- Belfast
- Birmingham
- Cardiff
- Edinburgh
- London
- Manchester
- Newcastle
- Oxford
- Sheffield
Overseas
PLAB 1 is also held in several countries outside the UK. These include:
- Australia – Sydney
- Bangladesh – Dhaka
- Canada – Toronto
- Egypt – Alexandria, Cairo
- Ghana – Accra
- India – Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi
- Kenya – Nairobi
- Nigeria – Abuja, Enugu, Lagos
- Pakistan – Islamabad, Karachi
- Saudi Arabia – Riyadh
- South Africa – Johannesburg
- Spain – Madrid
- Sri Lanka – Colombo
- UAE – Dubai
- Ireland – Dublin
Summary of Changes
- New UK centre: Birmingham (and consistent listing of Oxford & Newcastle).
- EU venues confirmed: Dublin and Madrid are available.
- Removed from prior list: Sudan isn’t currently listed as a venue in updated data.
Booking PLAB 1 Exam
How To Book PLAB 1 Exam
Log in to the GMC Portal
Go to the GMC website and log into your account. Keep your reference number and password saved somewhere handy to avoid delays when new slots are released.
Go to Test Bookings
From the menu, click on the Test Bookings section. Here, you’ll find details of any PLAB 1 exams you’ve already booked or previously taken.
Note: If you already have a booking or are waiting for results, you won’t be able to view new PLAB 1 exam dates until that’s cleared.
Book Your Test
In the Test Bookings section, you’ll see options like Book Test or Cancel Test. Click on Book Test and follow the on-screen instructions. Once you reach the booking page, you’ll see all available PLAB 1 exam dates and venues. Choose the one that suits you and complete the process to secure your spot.
You can filter exam slots by country or date on the GMC portal. But realistically, you won’t see any available PLAB 1 exam dates unless GMC officially releases new ones, or someone cancels their booking and you happen to catch it in time.
It mostly comes down to timing and luck—regularly checking the portal increases your chances, but there’s no guaranteed pattern.
Tips on Booking PLAB 1 Exam Dates
Official Updates from GMC
GMC usually announces new PLAB 1 exam dates through their official Twitter account. It’s a good idea to follow them there so you don’t miss important updates.
When they release new slots, they’ll always mention the exact date and time. On that day, log into the GMC portal and follow the booking steps as mentioned earlier.
Some Real Observations
- Even if you log in exactly on time, you’ll likely join a queue. Your place in the queue is random, and there’s usually a timer counting down. Once it finishes, you’ll be taken to the bookings page where you can check all available PLAB 1 exam dates and venues.
- You’ll get about 10 minutes to complete your booking, but realistically, speed matters. Slots get taken within seconds. The quicker you choose your date and venue, the better your chances of securing a seat. Prioritise your preferred country and city.
- Be ready with your payment method. It’s important to have a credit card that works for international transactions. If you’ve already bought resources like PLABABLE or PLABKEYS, chances are your card is already set up—but it’s always worth double-checking with your bank beforehand.
Booking a Cancelled PLAB 1 Date
Trying to grab a cancelled PLAB 1 exam date isn’t always straightforward. It takes patience—you may need to check for available slots multiple times a day over several days, weeks, or even months.
A small tip: most cancelled slots tend to show up around 3–4 weeks before the booking window closes. So keep checking regularly, especially as that time frame approaches.
UK centres usually have a few more cancellations compared to overseas centres, but they also come with added costs like flights, accommodation, and a UK visa. If budget is a concern, focus on finding slots in your home country first before considering UK options.
How do I book a PLAB 1 exam date?
First, register on the GMC portal and make sure your English language test (IELTS or OET) is verified. Once that’s sorted, go to the ‘Book Test’ section on your GMC account to see available PLAB 1 exam dates and secure your slot.
How should I prepare for PLAB 1?
Most people start with PLABKEYS alongside the PLABABLE question bank, including gems and mocks. I personally found these two enough and didn’t use Medrevisions. If you’re exploring resources, focus on PLABKEYS and PLABABLE first—they cover everything you need.
Is PLABABLE enough for PLAB 1?
Honestly, this comes up a lot. Almost everyone preparing for PLAB 1 uses PLABABLE, and it covers nearly everything. That said, organising the content is key. If you’re just starting, it helps to go through PLABKEYS first before moving to PLABABLE so things make more sense as you study.
What if I haven’t received a confirmation email from GMC after booking PLAB 1?
If you booked successfully but haven’t received a venue confirmation, especially for overseas centres, wait until about one week before the exam. If it still hasn’t come through, contact GMC directly by email or phone. For UK centres, a separate venue confirmation isn’t usually required.
