If you’re studying for PLAB 1, chances are you might be falling into some of the same traps many of us do without even realising. I’ve seen it happen often — small mistakes that end up costing a lot on exam day.
That’s why I’ve put this guide together: to share some of the most common mistakes people make while preparing for PLAB 1, so you can avoid them early on.
PLAB (Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board)) 1 is the first step for international doctors looking to work in the UK. It’s run by the GMC (General Medical Council) and checks if your knowledge and skills match what’s expected here. It’s not just about passing an exam — it’s about making sure you’re ready to practise safely and confidently.
Overview
The PLAB exam is split into two parts:
- PLAB 1 is a computer-based test with multiple-choice questions.
- PLAB 2 is a practical exam that checks your clinical and communication skills.
For international medical graduates, passing PLAB is essential. It’s the main route to getting registered with the GMC — without it, you can’t apply for a licence to practise medicine in the UK.
PLAB isn’t just a formality. It’s a challenging exam that covers a wide range of medical knowledge and skills. For many doctors, it’s a major milestone on the path to working in the NHS.
At its core, PLAB is there to make sure patient safety comes first. It helps maintain high standards in UK healthcare by checking that overseas doctors are ready to practise safely and effectively.
If you are done with your PLAB exam and GMC registration, you are probably looking for TRAC jobs applications guide with sample templates.
Why Is the PLAB Exam Challenging?
A lot of doctors start aiming for the UK without fully understanding what PLAB involves. It’s easy to get drawn in by the salary, lifestyle, and opportunities — but passing PLAB and getting GMC registration isn’t as simple as it sounds.
For starters, getting a PLAB 1 exam seat can be a challenge in itself. Even with all the booking tricks people share, it often comes down to luck and persistence. (although I strictly believe PLAB is just the first hurdle, looking for job is another one. You should know places for looking for NHS jobs)
Beyond that, plenty of candidates still struggle despite serious preparation. One of the biggest reasons? The exam pattern is different from what many are used to. However, it is still closer to MSRA exam for GP training, for which you need CREST form.
PLAB 1 isn’t about memorising facts — it’s about clinical judgement and decision-making under time pressure. Time management is everything. You’ll often hear people say they couldn’t finish the exam in time. It’s not just about knowing things; it’s about applying that knowledge quickly.
Another common hurdle is getting an exam slot outside your home country. For example, if your nearest centre is fully booked and your only option is the UK, then there’s the added stress of sorting out visas and travel arrangements.
That’s why it’s worth knowing what you’re signing up for — so you can plan, prepare, and avoid unnecessary surprises along the way.
Common Blunders to Avoid in the PLAB 1 Exam
The most common reasons doctors fail PLAB 1 usually come down to a few key mistakes. Here’s what tends to trip people up:
1. Not Understanding the Format of the Exam
One of the biggest reasons people fail PLAB 1 is simply not grasping what the exam is really about. PLAB 1 isn’t there to check how many facts you’ve memorised — it’s there to see how well you apply clinical knowledge in real-world scenarios.
You’ll get questions that focus on decision-making, prioritising investigations, and management plans. It’s less about rote learning and more about using your clinical judgement.
A common mistake is relying too much on question banks and mock tests. People get comfortable seeing the same style of questions and start feeling overconfident:
“I scored 90% in mocks, I’m ready!”
Unfortunately, that doesn’t always translate to PLAB 1 success. Whether your mock scores are high or low, the real focus should always be on understanding why an answer is right or wrong — not just memorising patterns.
2. Falling Into Recall Bias
Doing too many mocks without mixing things up can lead to something called recall bias. This happens when you keep seeing the same or similar questions so often that you memorise the answer patterns — instead of actually understanding them.
You’ll know it’s happening when you find yourself picking answers in just a few seconds because you’ve seen that exact question before.
How to avoid it? Don’t just aim to get questions right. Focus on why the correct answer is correct — and just as importantly, why the other options are wrong. That’s how you train your brain for real exam scenarios, not just mock exam shortcuts.
3. Poor Time Management
Time management makes or breaks PLAB 1. You get 3 hours to answer 180 questions — and if you don’t answer enough, you won’t pass.
That said, it’s not about solving all 180. Your real goal is to score enough to clear the pass mark, which usually means confidently answering around 160 questions.
A common mistake is rushing through everything just to tick off all 180. That usually leads to careless errors in questions you actually knew.
The smarter approach: focus on the questions you’re confident about. Slow down just enough to read carefully, spot key clinchers in the question, and make sure you’re picking the best answer — not just the fastest one.
4. Using Too Many Study Sources
One of the easiest ways to confuse yourself before PLAB 1 is jumping between too many study platforms.
Your aim isn’t to know everything — it’s to know enough to pass confidently. But when you start mixing PLABABLE, PLABKEYS, Medrevisions, and more, you’ll notice small differences in how topics are explained. That’s where unnecessary doubts creep in.
A simple rule: stick to one or two trusted resources. PLABABLE and PLABKEYS together work well for most people. If you’ve got more time, revise the same material again instead of picking up new sources.
And if something doesn’t match between two question banks? Don’t waste hours debating it in group chats. Go straight to the official source: NICE CKS guidelines. That’s where you’ll get the final word.
This applies not just to this exam, but number others you will be giving throughout your medical career including MRCP 1.
5. Not Preparing Enough
Life doesn’t pause just because you’re studying for PLAB 1. Many people juggle work, family, or personal issues alongside prep — but here’s the truth: the exam isn’t going to make exceptions for that.
At the end of the day, GMC expects everyone to meet the same standard, no matter what’s going on behind the scenes.
If you’re finding it hard to stay on track, the first step is to set a realistic study schedule that fits around your life. Having a plan helps you avoid last-minute panic and makes sure you’re hitting the key topics in time.
It’s not about studying all day — it’s about studying consistently.
6. Skipping Question Banks
Believe it or not, some people try to prepare for PLAB 1 just by reading theory notes or guides like PLABKEYS — without practising actual questions. That’s a recipe for trouble.
PLAB 1 is all about applying knowledge, not just memorising it. If you’re not solving question banks regularly, you’re missing out on the most important part of your prep.
Aim to do at least 50–100 new questions every day. It might sound like a lot, but within just 4 weeks, you’ll have worked through thousands — and that builds both speed and confidence for exam day.
7. Skipping the Big Mocks
A few days before PLAB 1, platforms like PLABABLE and PLABKEYS usually release their “big mocks.” Honestly, they can feel overwhelming — the questions are harder, unfamiliar, and sometimes a bit scary.
Consider Big Mocks like NHS interview jobs and take a leap of faith.
But skipping them is a mistake. These big mocks give you a realistic sense of where you stand, especially with time management. It’s one thing to do small sets of questions at home; it’s a different experience sitting down for a full-length mock under timed conditions.
In fact, your scores in these mocks often reflect pretty closely what you’ll score in the actual exam. Treat them as a final dress rehearsal — not something optional.
8. Not Making Your Own Notes
One thing many candidates skip — and regret later — is making their own notes.
Having your own notes helps you in two ways:
- You won’t waste time flipping through books or question banks trying to find a topic.
- Writing things down builds stronger memory recall when you actually face those topics in the exam.
It’s always better to make notes in your own words rather than rely on someone else’s. Digital notes work especially well — easy to update, quick to search, and always with you when you need a quick review.
9. Obsessing Over Things Like HB Pencils
You’ll see this in PLAB study groups — endless debates about which HB pencil to use for the exam. HB1, HB2, mechanical pencil… it goes on.
Honestly, it doesn’t matter. As long as your answers are marked clearly and can be read by the scanner, no one cares what brand or type of pencil you’re using.
Don’t let small, irrelevant things eat up your focus in the final days. Instead of stressing over pencils, put that energy into doing more mocks and revising key topics one last time. That’s what actually makes the difference.
These days, even clinical attachment is becoming irrelevant similar to Hb pencils. However, if you are still looking for one, an NHS clinical attachment cover letter template can help.
10. Not Having LMRPs (Last Minute Revision Points)
One of the smartest things you can do before PLAB 1 is create your own Last Minute Revision Points — or LMRPs.
These are short, focused notes you can quickly flip through the day before the exam. Think key drug doses, investigation orders, emergency management steps — things that are easy to forget under stress.
The key rule: don’t add anything new to your LMRPs last minute. Stick to what you already know. The point isn’t to learn fresh content — it’s to refresh what’s already in your head, calmly and confidently.
11. Not Trusting Your Instincts
Sometimes in PLAB 1, the GMC is testing more than just your textbook knowledge — they want to see if you’d make the right call as a real doctor.
For example, if a patient is clearly in pain, do you hold off because a guideline wasn’t mentioned? Or do you trust your instincts and offer pain relief?
Many candidates overthink these kinds of questions and get stuck. They hesitate, waste time, or second-guess themselves. The truth is: if a scenario feels straightforward, trust your clinical judgement.
One last reminder — there are plenty of other small mistakes people make:
- Arguing with examiners in PLAB 2
- Leaving revision too late
- Marking answers on the question paper instead of the answer sheet
Focus on staying calm, well-prepared, and practical on exam day. That’s what really matters.
How Is PLAB 1 Marked?
PLAB 1 is made up of 180 multiple-choice questions, all to be completed in 3 hours. Each question has a stem and 5 options. For every correct answer, you get 1 mark — and there’s no negative marking for wrong answers.
Once your paper is marked, your score is compared against the set pass mark. On average, you’ll need around 115 correct answers to pass, though it usually ranges between 110–120.
Remember: the aim isn’t to get a perfect score. Your focus should be on passing. That’s why time management is key — getting the right answers matters more than trying to complete all 180.
Also, don’t waste time memorising lab values. They’re printed in the exam booklet and in each question where needed. Just focus on understanding how to interpret them.
Common Misconceptions About the PLAB 1 Exam
PLAB 1 is a key step for doctors trained outside the UK and EEA who want to practise in the UK. But there are quite a few myths that cause confusion for first-time candidates.
1. “It’s Easy to Pass.”
This is probably the most common misconception. Many people assume PLAB 1 is simple — especially compared to exams like USMLE or MRCP.
The truth? PLAB 1 is definitely challenging. It covers a broad mix of topics: anatomy, pharmacology, ethics, clinical medicine, and more. The exam isn’t just checking what you know — it’s testing how you apply that knowledge in real clinical scenarios.
Passing takes real preparation, not just casual revision. It’s doable — but not something to underestimate.
2. “PLAB Is Only for UK Doctors”
A lot of people think PLAB 1 is just for doctors from specific countries. That’s not quite right.
PLAB 1 is mainly aimed at doctors who qualified outside the UK and EEA. But some EEA-trained doctors may also need it, especially if they haven’t practised in the UK before. It’s about ensuring you meet GMC standards — not about where exactly you studied.
3. “PLAB 1 Only Tests Theory”
This is another common myth. Yes, PLAB 1 is a written exam, but it isn’t just about textbook knowledge.
The questions are designed to test how you’d apply clinical knowledge in real-life situations. You’ll get scenarios that ask about patient history, choosing the right investigations, interpreting results, and making management decisions — all part of day-to-day clinical skills.
4. “PLAB 1 Is Only Held Twice a Year”
A lot of candidates assume PLAB 1 is offered just once or twice annually. That’s not the case.
The exam actually takes place multiple times each year. This gives you several chances to book a date that works for you, rather than waiting months for the next sitting.
5. “PLAB Is Only for NHS Jobs”
Another common belief is that PLAB is only required if you’re planning to work in the NHS.
In reality, PLAB is about GMC registration — and that applies whether you want to work in the NHS or in private healthcare in the UK. Either way, you’ll need to pass PLAB to get licensed.
PLAB 1 is an essential step for any doctor wanting to practise in the UK. But it’s easy to get caught up in myths and misinformation that only add unnecessary stress.
The reality is:
- PLAB 1 is challenging, but manageable with the right preparation.
- It’s open to doctors from all countries, not just specific regions.
- It tests both medical knowledge and real-world clinical decision-making.
- It’s held multiple times a year.
- It’s required for both NHS and private healthcare work in the UK.
Understanding these facts early on helps you focus on what really matters — preparing well and passing with confidence.
Conclusion
PLAB 1 isn’t about cramming as much as possible — it’s about smart, focused preparation. Question banks, mocks, and revisions are important, but overdoing them or getting stuck on minor debates wastes valuable time and energy.
A solid study plan means choosing the right resources, setting a realistic timetable, and keeping things organised with your own notes and Last Minute Revision Points (LMRPs).
Mistakes will happen during prep, and that’s fine — just don’t let them repeat on exam day. Aim for steady progress rather than perfection.
At its core, PLAB 1 is there to check whether you can think and act like a safe doctor — not just someone who’s memorised answers. It all comes down to applying knowledge well and managing your time on the day. Keep that in mind, and you’re already halfway there.
