PLAB Part 2 Results & Related

Where do you get your PLAB Part 2 results?

• When your PLAB 2 results are available the board will send you an email to access your results in the ‘My Tests’ section of GMC Online.
• Please be aware that the board can’t give results by telephone, fax or at our reception.

When do you get your results?

• Your results will be published on the Wednesday of the 4th week after your testing week. The board publish results at approximately 10.30 am.

PLAB 2 pass rate for last five years:

Understanding your results:

Quantitative feedback

• The board will tell you the marks you were awarded in each of the three marking domains for each station, together with a total for each domain across all 18 stations. Each domain carries the same marks, so you will be able to see in which domains you were stronger.
• The board will also tell you:
  • the score you achieved in each station and the score required to pass the station
  • the score you achieved overall and the score required to pass the exam.

Understanding your results: Qualitative feedback

• When you have finished each station, the examiner will be able to indicate which of 10 pre-set feedback statements they consider apply most to you.
• The examiners must do this if their overall judgement is that you were Unsatisfactory, but they will also be able to do so if they judged your performance as Borderline, Satisfactory or Good.
• You will be told which feedback statements were indicated as applying to you in each station.

An example of the qualitative feedback you’ll get.

The feedback statements:

• The ten feedback statements are listed below.

How do examiners mark the exam?

• Each station will be assessed based on your performance against the three marking domains in it:
  • Data gathering, technical and assessment skills
  • Clinical management skills
  • Interpersonal skills.

Is there a fixed pass mark for each station?

• No, each station has a pass mark which uses the borderline regression scoring method.
• This means the pass mark varies with the difficulty of the station and for each exam.

Does the examiner know the station pass mark?

• No, the examiner does not know the pass mark when assessing candidates.

Is the pass mark the same across both centres?

• No, each test centre operates independently, with a different set of scenarios. The results from each centre will be generated separately, and with distinct passing criteria.
• This means that candidates taking the test on the same day but at different venues will see differences in the passing criteria for that day.

How do the board work out if candidates meet the required standard of the exam?

• The board adds up the pass mark for each of the 18 stations in the exam. The board then add one standard error of measurement. This creates the total score for the exam. You must meet or exceed the total score and also pass a minimum of 11 stations to achieve an overall pass.
• The board may change our standard-setting procedures from time to time without notice. As a part of our quality assurance procedures the board may also exclude individual stations from your results. When the board does this the board will reduce the pass mark and the minimum number of stations needed to pass accordingly to ensure that you are not disadvantaged.
• For example, if one station is excluded, results will be calculated from 15 stations only. Therefore, 9 stations would be required to pass the examination as well as meeting the pass mark.

What do you do after you pass?

• When you pass the exam, you can apply for registration with a licence to practise. You should have your application for registration with a licence to practise in the UK approved within two years of passing part 2 of the exam. This applies from the point you take part 2, not the date you get your results.
• If you have passed PLAB part 2 more than two years ago, you will need to provide additional evidence of your knowledge and skills. Once you have submitted your application the board will contact you about to let you know exactly what’s needed.
• For more information on applying for registration with a licence to practise, please see our before you apply guide.

What do you do if you fail?

• If you fail the exam, you can book to take the exam again provided you meet all the requirements. You can attempt the exam a maximum of four times.
• If you’ve failed the exam four times, you can apply for one final attempt. You will need to demonstrate evidence of additional learning over a 12 month period and make an application to the board.

Can you have your results checked?

• No; this is a service we no longer offer. After reviewing our processes, we’re confident that our marking is robust, and that a manual check won’t change the result.
• However, you can still appeal your result.

When can you appeal your result?

An appeal is a request for a review of a decision, made by us about your performance in an exam. If you have attempted any part of the exam you have a right of appeal against the result if:

• there is clear evidence of irregularity in the conduct of the exam (including administrative error), which has adversely affected your performance
• there were exceptional circumstances, (for which clear documentary evidence must be provided), which adversely affected your performance. You are advised to submit details of any such circumstances as soon as possible after the examination (usually within three working days) and not wait until after you receive your results.

The board will not accept an appeal for other reasons, such as:

• you consider that your efforts were under-marked
• you did not understand or was unaware of the exam procedures
• you seek to question the exercise of professional or academic judgement.

If you want to appeal the result of the exam, you must have clear evidence of procedural irregularity which has adversely affected your performance.

How do you appeal your result?

• You must contact us regarding your appeal within ten working days of the release of the results by email or by writing to us at our Manchester office address
• Any appeal submitted after this period must include an explanation and evidence as to why you could not submit it sooner and the appeal will only be accepted at our discretion.

What if you have a complaint, not an appeal?

• If you want to raise an issue about any aspect of the exam, that is outside of the appeals procedure, you can make a complaint. You can do this by emailing us at feedback@gmc-uk.org within 28 days of the exam.
• the board may reclassify appeals to complaints or vice-versa at any stage in proceedings, in consultation with you.

How is an appeal investigated?

• If the investigating officer considers the appeal is unsubstantiated or outside the permitted grounds, we will notify you of this and the appeals procedure is at an end.
• If the investigating officer refers the case forward, they will submit it to a Head of Section (HoS). We will send you a copy of the submission.
• The HoS will consider whether the facts are proved and also consider to what degree you were adversely affected by the procedural irregularity if one occurred. They may discuss the case with panel members and relevant staff, or direct an investigating officer to undertake further investigations.
• If the HoS considers the appeal is unsubstantiated or outside the permitted grounds, we will notify you and the appeal will be closed.

What happens if there is proof of irregularity?

If the HoS determines that there is clear evidence of procedural irregularity, which has adversely affected your performance, the following options are available.

• Any mark originally awarded can be corrected, which may have an impact on whether you then pass the exam.
• The result will be annulled and you can re-sit the exam without paying the fee.
• Other options can be offered at the discretion of the HoS.

How will you find out about the decision?

• We’ll email you within five working days of making our decision.

How can you appeal the outcome?

• The only grounds for appeal is where there is clear evidence of a procedural irregularity in the consideration of the case.
• We will not accept an appeal on the grounds that you do not agree with the original decision.
• Where we consider your appeal fulfils the requirements above, and the HoS will consider the material and pass it on to the relevant Assistant Director (AD).
• The AD will consider whether the disputed facts are proved.
• Again, we’ll email you about the decision and any remedy that has been applied. The AD’s decision will be final.

When can you apply for an additional attempt?

• To be eligible for an additional attempt for either PLAB 1 or 2 (after your fourth attempt), there must be at least 12 months between your fourth attempt and requesting an additional attempt.
• You should undertake further learning to improve your medical knowledge and clinical skills. You must have completed either 12 months’ clinical practice or a post graduate qualification.

What is expected from your clinical practice?

• A minimum of 12 months’ full time clinical practice (or equivalent part time basis), with direct patient care.
• Supported by structured reports from senior doctors responsible for your work, to show satisfactory completion.
• Completed in the two years before requesting an additional attempt to demonstrate that you are keeping your knowledge and skill up to date.
• Undertaken in an institution that meets the standards for regulation within its jurisdiction, and the board must be able to verify this.
• Honorary posts and those involving observation, such as clinical attachments, shadowing, observerships and clerkships are not acceptable.

How to apply for an additional attempt after your clinical practice?

• Download the structured report form and ask the senior doctor(s) who provided oversight during your clinical practice to fully complete it on your behalf.
• Please note
  • Each post must be at least two months in duration.
  • The referee must provide a work email address.
• The board will not accept:
  • reports completed by a relative or someone that you have a personal, business or financial interest with
  • reports not completed in full or where a work email address isn’t provided.
• Complete the application form and return to us at plab@gmc-uk.org or by post to the Clinical Assessment Centre at our Manchester office.

What is expected from your postgraduate qualification?

• It should be a clinical subject where a primary medical qualification or other degree is required for entry.
• To be completed over at least one academic year (or equivalent part time basis).
• To be accompanied by a certificate from the awarding institution. Honorary qualifications are not acceptable.
• Completed in the two years before requesting an additional attempt to demonstrate that you are keeping your knowledge and skill up to date.
• Undertaken in an institution that meets the standards for regulation within its jurisdiction, and The baord must be able to verify this.

How to apply for an additional attempt after your postgraduate qualification?

• Complete the application form and return it to us along with the evidence listed below to plab@gmc-uk.org or by post to the Clinical Assessment Centre at our Manchester office.
• Evidence required
  • A copy of your certificate from the awarding institution.
  • A copy of the course curriculum.

Also Read:

1. An overview of PLAB Test
2. PLAB Part 1 application & Test day
3. PLAB Part 1 results & related
4. Eligibility for PLAB Part 1
5. English requirement for PLAB Part 1
6. Guidelines to prepare for PLAB Part 1
7. PLAB Part 2 application & Test day
8. Guidelines to prepare for PLAB Part 2

Also Watch:

1. My PLAB 2 Results from the youtube channel “Dr Abbas Dahneem”