Finally! The tormenting PLAB 2 test is done. Some stations were probably horrible – you weren’t sure about what, where, and why; while others went superb, you took charge of everything confidently. After around a month or so, when the results are out, many of these things won’t matter anymore because you will have passed. I can assure you of that!
In this blog post, we will be discussing what to do after your PLAB 2, including understanding your results and GMC registration. Keep reading!
When And Where Do You Get Your Results?
You can expect your results to be published within four weeks of your exam date. Once your PLAB 2 results are available, the GMC will send you an email to access them in the “My Tests” section of the GMC Online. Please note that your results will not be released through fax, telephone, or at the GMC reception
Understanding Your PLAB Results
When you receive your test results from the GMC, two types of feedback will also come along with it; qualitative and quantitative feedback.
Qualitative feedback
Once you have finished each station, the examiner will indicate which of the 10 pre-set feedback statements you think apply most to you. The examiners mostly do this if their overall judgment is that you were Unsatisfactory; however, they also have the liberty to do this if they judged your performance as Borderline, Satisfactory, or Good.
You will be informed which feedback statements were indicated as it applies to you in each station.
Quantitative feedback
Here, you will be informed of the marks you were awarded in each of the three marking domains of every station, including the total of each domain across all the stations in the test. Each of the domains carries the same mark, so you will be able to identify in which domain your strength lies.
You will also be informed of the score you acquired:
- Overall and the score needed to pass the exam
- In each station and the required score to pass the station
Good PLAB Passing Score
The GMC does not offer a passing score for any of the PLAB tests, as this changes based on the individual tests, so it’s impossible to know for sure what score you must achieve. But they give a total number of stations you must ace in the PLAB 2 test, which will help give you some indication of the necessary achievement.
Though an overall pass score isn’t given, the GMC does provide how it is calculated, which differs across the two PLAB exams.
PLAB 1
For the PLAB 1 test, you will be given one mark for every correct answer within the 180 multiple-choice questions, with your test score being the total number of correct answers. To add up the passing mark for each test, the GMC employs the internationally recognised Angoff method, including one standard error of measurement.
You can gain more information about how your PLAB 1 exam will be scored and how the GMC makes sure of a consistent and fair pass score here.
PLAB 2
During your PLAB 2, you will be evaluated at each of the 18 scenario stations against the following marking domains, as set out by the GMC:
- Clinical management skills
- Data gathering, technical and assessment skills
- Interpersonal skills
You’ll acquire a score for every scenario, from which it will be judged as to if you’ve aced the station or not. There isn’t a predetermined pass mark for the stations; instead, the GMC employs the “borderline regression scoring method”, which means that the pass mark differs with the difficulty of the station and for each test.
But, to ace the PLAB 2 test, you must meet or exceed the total score needed and ace a minimum of 10 stations overall. You can access more information about how the total score is calculated, and your exam is evaluated here on the GMC’s website.
What To Do After PLAB 2
It’s compulsory that you know you have a lot of things to do after your PLAB 2, even before your results get out. Things like:
- Planning for your GMC registration
- Setting up an NHS jobs profile
- And applying for jobs
1. Planning for GMC registration
Once your PLAB 2 results are released (and you ace it), you can immediately apply for GMC registration online. When you ace your exam, you can apply for registration with a licence to practise in the UK.
According to the GMC, you need to have your application for registration with a licence to practise approved within two years of passing your PLAB 2 exam. In an event whereby you passed PLAB 2 more than two years ago, you will need to provide additional proof of your knowledge and skills.
Once you have submitted your online application, the GMC will contact you through email to let you know what’s required of you. The email will show a list of documents GMC requires for your registration, and you will need to send them as scanned copies. It doesn’t take a long time for you to receive this email. After you have replied to your email, they will check your documents and confirm with you within five working days.
However, before proceeding to this step, ensure your EPIC verification has already been completed. If the GMC requires further evidence regarding your application, they will ask you. This process continues until they send you that lovely email that your registration has been approved.
To access more information on how to apply for registration with a licence to practise, see the before you apply guide by the GMC.
English language evidence for registration
It’s okay if you have a valid IELTS but not the UKVI IELTS. With the new rule set and approved by UKVI until 31st March 2023, a recent PLAB 2 pass at registration will be accepted as proof that you’ve maintained your English language skills.
To be eligible for this exception when you apply for registration, you must have the following:
- Achieved the minimum scores in IELTS or OET less than three years ago
- Aced PLAB 2 less than three months before you applied to join the register
Setting up an NHS jobs profile and applying for jobs
After getting your papers for GMC registration, and you’ve sorted out your application and all, the next thing on the list is getting a job. As a new GMC registered doctor, you should land your first job in the NHS.
You can read more on how to apply for jobs in the NHS here to help you set up your NHS jobs profile and give you an idea of how to approach applications for jobs.
Final Thoughts
To summarize what’s next after passing the PLAB 2 exam, these are things you should do:
- You should plan your GMC registration and gather the necessary evidence; if you haven’t done that
- Set up an NHS jobs profile, and start creating your CV
- Apply for jobs, and keep an eye out for their closing dates
You can enroll in our PLAB courses at Plab2LastStop if you haven’t written your exam to help you prepare adequately and pass your exam on your first attempt.