The Manchester PLAB 2 sitting
PLAB 2 is held only at the GMC's Clinical Assessment Centre in Manchester. The exam is 16 stations of eight minutes each. Plan travel and accommodation with a buffer of at least a day either side to absorb travel disruption.
Who this applies to
- Doctors travelling to the UK to sit PLAB 2.
Key requirements
| Venue | GMC Clinical Assessment Centre, Manchester |
|---|---|
| Format | 16 stations × 8 minutes |
| Recommended buffer | Arrive at least 24–48 hours early |
Steps
1. Book accommodation near the centre
Cluster around the Clinical Assessment Centre — commute time on exam day matters.
2. Rehearse the route
Do a dry run to the centre the day before to remove exam-morning surprises.
3. Bring GMC-required documents
Passport, booking confirmation and any GMC-requested identity documents in one folder.
Common failure points
- Booking accommodation far from the centre and losing time to transit.
- Arriving in Manchester on the day of the exam.
Official sources
Every fact above should be confirmed against the controlling source before you act on it.