PLAB 1 / UKMLA AKT · GMC · CBT · 3 hoursLive mocks · daily

PLAB 1 / UKMLA AKT — your first step to GMC registration

200 MCQs · 3 hours · single-best-answer · UKMLA-blueprinted. Our mocks model the applied clinical-knowledge style of the live PLAB 1 — FY1-level reasoning, not basic-sciences recall.

View PLAB 1 mock packs PLAB 1 → PLAB 2 pathway

Aligned with GMC · gmc-uk.org
UKMLA-blueprint mapped
Pearson VUE · quarterly cycles

Hero photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

PLAB 1 Mock 02

Question 124 of 200

Acute medicine · sepsis bundle — UK NICE-aligned decision

UK-pathway tracker

PLAB 1 → 2 → GMC

PLAB 1 passed · OET-B met · PLAB 2 booked for next quarter

Topic heatmap

Strong · Cardiology, GI

Weak · Psychiatry, Paediatrics — flagged for revision sprint

3 hours

Duration

200

MCQs

£258

Fee

Quarterly

4 cycles a year

What is PLAB 1 / UKMLA AKT

The Applied Knowledge Test for IMGs entering UK practice

Conducted by the General Medical Council (GMC), delivered via Pearson VUE worldwide. Aligns with the UK Medical Licensing Assessment blueprint.

Conducting body: General Medical Council (GMC), United Kingdom.
Eligibility: A primary medical qualification recognised by the GMC + English-language evidence (IELTS Academic 7.5 or OET Medicine B in all sub-tests) + verified passport.
Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT), Pearson VUE worldwide.
Duration: 3 hours for 200 single-best-answer MCQs.
Marking: +1 for correct, no negative marking.
Pass mark: Set by modified-Angoff per cycle.
Validity: Pass is valid for 2 years — clear PLAB 2 and apply to GMC within that window.
Cycle: Quarterly (4 cycles per year).

The UK pathway

1
PLAB 1 / UKMLA AKT (this exam)
200 MCQs · 3 hours · worldwide
2
English requirement
IELTS Academic 7.5 or OET Medicine grade B
3
PLAB 2 OSCE
16-station OSCE in Manchester
4
GMC registration with licence
Apply via gmc-uk.org
5
Foundation training (FY1 / FY2)
Two-year programme · UK NHS
6
Specialty / Royal-College exams
MRCP, MRCS, FRCS, MRCPCH, MRCGP …

Always confirm requirements on the official GMC page before applying.

Our PLAB 1 library

UKMLA-blueprinted, FY1-level, NICE-aligned

UKMLA-aligned

Every mock is mapped against the published UKMLA content map — same domains, same approximate distribution as the live GMC paper.

NICE-cited explanations

Each MCQ explanation cites the relevant NICE guideline or BNF reference — exactly the UK clinical evidence base.

FY1-level reasoning

Items pitched at the decision-making level of an FY1 — clinical management questions, not pure recall.

Pass-probability

Per-mock pass-probability projected against the modified-Angoff standard observed across recent GMC cycles.

Pricing

Mock packs · pay-as-you-go

Pricing is being updated — please check back shortly.

Continue with the full prep guide

UKMLA syllabus / content map Exam pattern Eligibility (English + PMQ)Exam dates 2026 Application form (GMC Online)Registration fee (£258)Preparation strategy Best books + Q-banks Previous-year style papers Sample questions Pricing Pass standard Result delivery Test centres After PLAB 1 → PLAB 2 → GMC Exam-day tips PLAB 1 vs USMLE Step 1

Frequently asked

The most asked PLAB 1 / UKMLA AKT questions

Is PLAB 1 still called PLAB 1, or is it now UKMLA AKT?+

Both names are used. The GMC restructured PLAB 1 into the UKMLA Applied Knowledge Test (AKT) — IMGs still take it as the first step to GMC registration. The format (3-hour, 200-MCQ Pearson VUE CBT) hasn't changed materially; the blueprint is now aligned to the UK Medical Licensing Assessment.

What is the next step after PLAB 1 / UKMLA AKT?+

PLAB 2 — a 16-station OSCE conducted in Manchester. Once both parts are cleared, you apply to the GMC for registration with a licence to practise. From there, most IMGs enter Foundation training (FY1 / FY2) or pursue Royal-College specialty exams.

How long is the validity of a PLAB 1 / UKMLA AKT pass?+

A pass is valid for 2 years — within that window you must clear PLAB 2 and apply to the GMC. After 2 years the pass lapses and you'd need to retake.

What's the pass mark?+

The pass standard is set by modified-Angoff methodology per cycle by the GMC. Historic pass rates for IMGs sitting PLAB 1 typically range from 65-78% depending on cycle.

How does PLAB 1 compare to USMLE Step 1?+

PLAB 1 is a single 3-hour 200-MCQ paper covering applied clinical knowledge at the level of an FY1 doctor. USMLE Step 1 is an 8-hour, 7-block, 280-MCQ paper focused on basic sciences. PLAB is shorter and more clinical; USMLE Step 1 is longer and more basic-science-heavy.

Do I need IELTS or OET for the UK pathway?+

Yes — to register with the GMC you need IELTS Academic 7.5 (no sub-score below 7) or OET Medicine grade B in all four sub-tests. You can sit PLAB 1 first and complete the English requirement before applying for registration.

Can I take PLAB 1 in India?+

Yes — Pearson VUE delivers PLAB 1 at multiple Indian cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Chennai. Booking opens roughly 8 weeks before each cycle.

200 MCQs · 3-hour CBT · pass-probability

See where you stand against the GMC pass standard

A UKMLA-aligned PLAB 1 mock with a calibrated pass-probability report.

View mock packs The UK pathway

Take a full mock

PLAB 1 / UKMLA AKT — your first step to GMC registration

200 MCQs · 3 hours · single-best-answer · UKMLA-blueprinted. Our mocks model the applied clinical-knowledge style of the live PLAB 1 — FY1-level reasoning, not basic-sciences recall.

Aligned with GMC · gmc-uk.org

UKMLA-blueprint mapped

Pearson VUE · quarterly cycles