DOCTOR INFORMATION

IELTS/OET requirements for PLAB



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 βœ…  

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

 

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 πŸ“„ 

 OET: candidate number πŸ“„  

 Alternative language tests will be considered 

 

IELTS criteria for PLAB: 

 You must take the academic version πŸ“–  

 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 πŸ“… 

 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) πŸ“…  

 

OET criteria for PLAB: 

 You must take the medicine version πŸ₯  

 Grade B in all areas 

 OET score achieved within 2 years of the date of the PLAB part 1 exam πŸ“…  

 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) πŸ“…  


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) πŸ“…  

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

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

 Remember you may need to sit it more than once to reach the minimum criteria πŸ”  

 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 πŸ“… 

 

IELTS/OET Preparation: 

 Follow this link to our IELTS/OET Coaching & Lessons πŸ’»  

 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 πŸ“‘  

 

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 πŸŽ§  

 When the audio stops you get 10 minutes to transfer your answers onto your answer sheet πŸ“„  

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

 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 β±  

 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 πŸ“• 

 

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 β± 

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

 

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 β± 

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

 Practice speaking little and often πŸ—£  

 

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 πŸ’» 

 The more you practise, the better your scores will be πŸ” 

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


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


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