Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about PLAB 2, GMC registration and practising with ZWIP. Can’t find your answer? Get in touch.
About PLAB 2
- What is PLAB 2?
- PLAB 2 is the second part of the GMC’s PLAB test — a practical OSCE of 16 clinical stations, held in Manchester, that assesses whether an international medical graduate can practise safely at the level of a UK foundation-year doctor.
- How many stations are in PLAB 2?
- PLAB 2 is a circuit of 16 stations, each lasting ten minutes, with a short reading period before each one.
- How is PLAB 2 marked?
- Each station is scored across three domains: Data Gathering, Technical and Assessment Skills; Clinical Management Skills; and Interpersonal Skills. You are judged on safe, structured, patient-centred practice across the whole circuit.
- What types of stations come up in PLAB 2?
- Stations are drawn from a predictable set of tasks: history taking, clinical explanation, communication with relatives and colleagues, teaching, breaking bad news, consent, handling complaints, and ethical dilemmas.
- How long is each PLAB 2 station?
- Each PLAB 2 station lasts ten minutes, with a short period beforehand to read the candidate instructions. There are 16 stations in the circuit.
- What is the PLAB 2 pass rate?
- Pass rates vary by sitting and cohort, so always check the GMC’s published figures for current data. Your result depends on safe, structured performance across the whole circuit, not a fixed quota.
Exam logistics
- Where is PLAB 2 held?
- PLAB 2 is held in person at the GMC’s Clinical Assessment Centre in Manchester, UK.
- How do I book PLAB 2?
- You book PLAB 2 through your GMC Online account after passing PLAB 1. Dates are limited and popular slots fill quickly, so book as early as you can.
- When do PLAB 2 results come out?
- Results are usually released through GMC Online a few weeks after your exam, with a breakdown by station and marking domain.
- What happens if I fail PLAB 2?
- You are allowed a limited number of attempts. The station-by-station feedback shows exactly where to focus, and a targeted, structured resit is usually far more effective than simply repeating your earlier preparation.
- What should I bring on PLAB 2 exam day?
- Bring the identification and documents the GMC specifies in your confirmation, and arrive in good time. Check the GMC’s current instructions before the day, as requirements can change.
- How long do PLAB 2 results take to come out?
- Results are usually released through GMC Online a few weeks after your exam date, with a breakdown by station and marking domain.
- How many times can I resit PLAB 2?
- You are allowed a limited number of attempts at PLAB 2. Check the GMC for the current limit. A targeted resit guided by your station-by-station feedback is the most effective approach.
IMG & GMC
- Do I need to pass PLAB 1 before PLAB 2?
- Yes. PLAB 1 is a written exam that must normally be passed before you can book PLAB 2, and PLAB 2 must be taken within a set window afterwards.
- What English test do I need for PLAB?
- Most candidates evidence their English through the academic IELTS or the medicine version of the OET. Always check the current required scores directly with the GMC before booking.
- What happens after I pass PLAB 2?
- Once you have passed both parts of PLAB and met the other requirements, you can apply to the GMC for registration with a licence to practise, then seek your first NHS post.
- How do I register with the GMC after PLAB?
- After passing both parts of PLAB and meeting the other requirements, you apply for registration with a licence to practise through GMC Online, with identity and document checks. Gather your documents early to avoid delays.
- Should I take OET or IELTS?
- Both are accepted by the GMC. OET is healthcare-specific and often feels more natural to doctors; IELTS is a general academic test. Choose the one that plays to your strengths and check the required scores with the GMC.
- What job can I do after GMC registration?
- Many IMGs start in a trust-grade or junior clinical fellow post to build UK experience before entering formal training. Registration with a licence to practise is what allows you to work and prescribe.
Using ZWIP
- What is ZWIP?
- ZWIP is an online PLAB 2 practice platform. You practise realistic OSCE stations with AI simulated patients, against true-to-exam timing, and receive structured feedback scored against the PLAB 2 marking domains.
- How does ZWIP’s feedback work?
- After each consultation, ZWIP scores your performance against the three PLAB 2 domains — Data Gathering, Clinical Management and Interpersonal Skills — so you can see exactly which area to improve next.
- Can I use ZWIP from outside the UK?
- Yes. ZWIP works on demand from anywhere in the world, so you can practise PLAB 2 stations from your home country before you travel to Manchester.
- Does ZWIP have a mock exam mode?
- Yes. ZWIP includes a mock exam mode that recreates the multi-station circuit with realistic AI patients and timing, then scores each station against the PLAB 2 domains.
- What devices does ZWIP work on?
- ZWIP runs in your web browser on a laptop, desktop or tablet. Voice practice needs a working microphone and a stable internet connection.
- How realistic are ZWIP’s AI patients?
- ZWIP’s AI simulated patients hold natural spoken conversations and can take on different personalities and challenging behaviours — anxious, angry, emotional — so practice feels close to a real OSCE station.
- Does ZWIP cover all PLAB 2 station types?
- Yes. The station library spans all nine PLAB 2 categories — history taking, explanation, relatives, colleagues, teaching, breaking bad news, consent, complaints and ethics.
Membership & billing
- What does ZWIP membership include?
- Membership gives you full access to the PLAB 2 station library, AI simulated patients, structured PLAB 2 feedback, mock exam mode, performance analytics, and a set allowance of voice practice minutes each month.
- Can I try ZWIP for free?
- Yes. You can register free to explore the station library and browse content; voice practice with AI patients is unlocked with membership.
- Can I cancel my membership?
- Yes. Cancelling stops future renewals; you keep access until the end of your current paid period.
- How many practice minutes do I get with membership?
- Membership includes a monthly allowance of voice practice minutes. If you need more in a given month, top-up minute packs are available.
- Can I buy more practice minutes?
- Yes. If you use your monthly allowance, you can buy top-up minute packs to keep practising without waiting for your next renewal.
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