As an international medical graduate, the General Medical Council (GMC) requires you to take an English language test and achieve a minimum score to be able to take the PLAB exam in order to practise medicine in the UK. 

Background information

Why do I need to site IELTS/OET? 

 As evidence that you will able to communicate with patients effectively in English ✅  

 Required by international doctors applying for a license to practise medicine in the UK for the first time 🌎  

There are 2 different GMC approved tests for taking PLAB exams: 

 IELTs: International English Language Testing System 

 OET: Occupational English Test 

What evidence do I need to provide: 

 IELTS: Test Report Form number 📄 

 OET: candidate number 📄  

 Alternative language tests will be considered 

IELTS criteria for PLAB: 

 You must take the academic version 📖  

 Score of 7.0 in all areas 

 Overall score of 7.5 

 IELTS score achieved within 2 years of the date of the PLAB part 1 exam 📅 

 If you took IELTS over 2 years ago, your test report and a reference from a tutor/lecturer of a post-graduate course, or an employer based in an English-speaking country (covering 3 months+ full time study/employment) 📅  

OET criteria for PLAB: 

 You must take the medicine version 🏥  

 Grade B in all areas 

 OET score achieved within 2 years of the date of the PLAB part 1 exam 📅  

 If you took OET over 2 years ago, your test report and a reference from a tutor/lecturer of a post-graduate course or an employer based in an English-speaking country (covering 3 months+ full time study/employment) 📅  

Quick Summary:

International doctors are required to take the IELTS/OET when applying to practise medicine in the UK. You must achieve a score of 7.0 in all sections and 7.5 overall if you sit the IELTS, or a grade B in all areas if you sit the OET.

Preparation:

Planning your timeline: 

1. Choose PLAB 1 date 
2. Work out when to start IELTS/OET preparation 
3. Sit IELTS/OET 
4. Receive IELTS/OET score that meets requirements
5. Book PLAB 1 
6. Sit PLAB 1 

 Choose which month to sit the PLAB 1 exam (March, June, September or November in the UK and usually March or November overseas) 📅  

 Book your PLAB 1 exam 2 months ahead of the date to make sure you get a place 💻  

 Work out when you need to sit IELTS/OET to have the results in time for PLAB 1 booking 📅  

 Remember you may need to sit it more than once to reach the minimum criteria 🔁  

 IELTS results: 2 weeks 

 OET results: 7-10 business days 

 So, say you want to allow yourself time to have 2 attempts, you must start sitting IELTS/OET 3 months before the PLAB 1 exam you are hoping to sit so that you have your results in time for booking PLAB 1 📅 

IELTS/OET Preparation: 

 Follow this link to our IELTS/OET Coaching & Lessons 💻  

 Studying for the exams will not improve your English language skills, but it will make you more familiar with the exam, which in turn will improve your score 📑  

Quick Summary:

You should decide which month you are going to sit the PLAB 1 exam so that you can work backwards to work out when you must sit the IELTS/OET in order to have the results in time for booking the PLAB exam.

The IELTS test:

The Listening section: 

 40 questions based on a conversation between 2 people which will be played to you 🎧  

 When the audio stops you get 10 minutes to transfer your answers onto your answer sheet 📄  

 Don’t dwell on any questions you miss, as this will cause you to miss the remaining questions ❌  

 Aim for 38 of 40 marks in practice tests 

The reading section: 

 40 questions based on 3 comprehension tests 

 60 minutes in total, so ideally 20 minutes per test ⏱  

 Do practice tests to establish whether you like to read first, then answer questions or not 

 Aim for 38 of 40 marks in practice tests 📕 

The Writing test: 

 2 tasks: describing a diagram in 150 words, and writing a detailed essay on any subject 

 60 minutes in total, so ideally 20 minutes on the diagram and 40 on the essay ⏱ 

 Use the answer sections of practice tests to learn how to write in the exam, then practice ✍ 

The Speaking test: 

 3 parts: first, questions about you; second, you will be given a topic to talk about, with 1 minute to prepare and 2 minutes to talk; finally, the examiner will discuss the topic in your talk with you 

 13-14 minutes in total ⏱ 

 Speaking English in your day to day life will help, and doing practice tests alongside is useful 

 Practice speaking little and often 🗣  

Quick Summary:

The IELTS test consists of a listening, reading, writing and speaking section in order to fully test your ability to interact with patients in English, and you must prepare for all sections.

Top tips: 

 Use our IELTS/OET Coaching & Lessons 💻 

 The more you practise, the better your scores will be 🔁 

 Reading English books, watching English films/TV and speaking to people in English can all help to improve your scores too 📚 

Summary:

1. The IELTS and OET are tests that international doctors are required to take in order to demonstrate their English language ability. 

2. You should prepare with practice questions, and coaching/lessons found here

3. There is a listening, reading, writing and speaking section