PLAB 1 exam locations
PLAB 1 is held in the UK and in over 20 international cities. Sittings are typically offered several times a year. Availability varies by city: high-demand locations sell out within hours of release.
Who this applies to
- Doctors choosing a PLAB 1 location.
- Doctors deciding whether to travel to secure an earlier sitting.
Key requirements
| UK sittings | Multiple UK cities per cycle |
|---|---|
| International sittings | 20+ cities across South Asia, MENA, Africa, SE Asia and Australasia |
| Cycle | Typically four sittings per year |
Steps
1. Check the sitting calendar
Look at the current calendar on the GMC site.
2. Watch for the booking window
Get into GMC Online at the exact release time.
3. Book — travel later
Secure the sitting first; work out travel and accommodation after.
Common failure points
- Waiting for a preferred date instead of taking the first workable one.
- Underestimating travel documents and visa lead time for an overseas sitting.
Official sources
Every fact above should be confirmed against the controlling source before you act on it.