Free PLAB (Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board) Exam Questions and Answers
PLAB has not been replaced by the UK Medical Licensing Assessment, contrary to a widespread assumption — the GMC's own guidance says PLAB is now compliant with the MLA requirements but will keep its name for a while yet. UK medical students sit the MLA directly; international graduates continue through PLAB, aligned to the same content map. PLAB 1 is 180 multiple-choice questions in three hours, held four times a year in the UK and at centres across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. PLAB 2 is an OSCE of sixteen scored eight-minute stations, and it is sat in Manchester and nowhere else in the world. From 1 April 2026 the fees are £283 and £1,036.
The first 10 questions on this page are free to read, answers included — no account and no card. A plan opens the rest of the bank, the full timed practice test and your weak-topic reporting.
Last updated: September 10, 2026
- Provider
- Medical and Health Licensing
- Questions in our bank
- 1000+
- Free to read
- First 10, with answers
- Official page
- Official Exam website
- Our test mode duration & pass mark
- 130 mins · 70%
- Verified answers
- Reviewed weekly
Recommended: Switch to Test Mode to start a practice test that simulates the real exam experience.
Question #1
A 70-year-old male presents with chest pain and shortness of breath. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Please select an optionIncorrectCorrect answer: D
Myocardial infarction is the most common cause of chest pain in this age group.
Was this answer correct?Question #2
A patient with a history of diabetes presents with a foot ulcer. What is the best initial management?
Please select an optionIncorrectCorrect answer: D
Offloading the ulcer is crucial to promote healing.
Was this answer correct?Question #3
What is the first-line treatment for hypertension in a patient with diabetes?
Please select an optionIncorrectCorrect answer: C
ACE inhibitors are preferred due to renal protection.
Was this answer correct?Question #4
A child presents with a persistent cough and wheezing. What condition should be suspected?
Please select an optionIncorrectCorrect answer: A
Asthma is common in children with those symptoms.
Was this answer correct?Question #5
A 45-year-old woman presents with fatigue and weight gain. Which hormone level should be checked first?
Please select an optionIncorrectCorrect answer: B
Thyroid function tests are crucial in evaluating fatigue and weight gain.
Was this answer correct?Question #6
A 60-year-old male presents with sudden onset of severe headache. What is the most concerning diagnosis?
Please select an optionIncorrectCorrect answer: B
Sudden severe headache raises suspicion for subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Was this answer correct?Question #7
In a patient with suspected acute pancreatitis, which enzyme level is most likely to be elevated?
Please select an optionIncorrectCorrect answer: B
Lipase is more specific for acute pancreatitis than amylase.
Was this answer correct?Question #8
A patient comes to the emergency department with a snake bite. What is the initial management?
Please select an optionIncorrectCorrect answer: D
Administering antivenom is critical in managing snake bites.
Was this answer correct?Question #9
A 30-year-old female with rheumatoid arthritis is planning pregnancy. What medication should be avoided?
Please select an optionIncorrectCorrect answer: A
Methotrexate is contraindicated in pregnancy due to teratogenic effects.
Was this answer correct?Question #10
A 50-year-old man has a history of smoking and presents with hemoptysis. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Please select an optionIncorrectCorrect answer: C
Hemoptysis in a smoker raises suspicion for lung cancer.
Was this answer correct?
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FAQ
Learn More: https://www.gmc-uk.org/registration-and-licensing/join-our-registers/plab
- Q1: What is the PLAB (Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board) exam?
- A: PLAB (Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board) is a Medical and Health Licensing certification exam. Judging by the questions in our bank, it concentrates on presents, patient, diagnosis, pain and history.
- Q2: What topics does the PLAB (Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board) exam cover?
- A: Questions in our PLAB (Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board) bank cluster around presents, patient, diagnosis, pain, history, suspected, fever and woman. Working through the full set is the quickest way to find which of these you are weakest on.
- Q3: How should I prepare for PLAB (Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board)?
- A: Work through the PLAB (Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board) practice questions here, checking your answer on each one, then sit the practice test to rehearse the exam under timed conditions before the real thing.
- Q4: Are these real PLAB (Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board) exam questions?
- A: They are drawn from officially released past questions and from community members who have sat PLAB (Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board). Answers are verified and updated weekly.
- Q5: Where do I register for the PLAB (Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board) exam?
- A: Register through Medical and Health Licensing directly at https://www.gmc-uk.org/registration-and-licensing/join-our-registers/plab. Exampractice is not affiliated with Medical and Health Licensing and does not administer the exam.
- Q6: Is there a free PLAB (Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board) sample?
- A: Yes. Every PLAB (Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board) page shows a free sample of real questions. Upgrading opens the full bank and the practice test.