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PLAB 1 preparation available now Pathways reviewed August 2026

United Kingdom exam preparation

UK Healthcare Exam Preparation for Doctors, Nurses, Dentists, Pharmacists and Allied Health Professionals

Choose the correct UK registration or postgraduate examination pathway, access available ExamCure preparation, and verify current requirements directly with the relevant UK regulator.

ExamCure is an independent education provider. Registration eligibility, booking, fees, dates and final licensing decisions are controlled by the relevant UK regulator or examination body.

Profession-specific pathways No misleading single “UK licensing exam” route
Verified official sources GMC, MRCP(UK), RCGP, NMC, GDC, GPhC and HCPC
Clear availability status Live resources separated from planned preparation
Mobile-friendly learning Study through your ExamCure account on common devices

Available ExamCure preparation

Start with a live UK-related preparation resource

These links lead to currently published ExamCure PLAB 1 resources. Programme contents, pricing, access duration and payment terms should be confirmed on the live product page and at checkout before purchase.

MCQ bank available

Doctors · Focused PLAB 1 practice

PLAB 1 Exam MCQ Bank – 2026

Exam-style single-best-answer practice, clinical topic coverage and answer explanations for international medical graduates preparing for PLAB 1.

Large MCQ bank Clinical explanations Online access
  • Internal medicine, emergencies and primary care
  • Paediatrics, surgery, women’s health and psychiatry
  • UK clinical decision-making and patient-safety focus

Important: UK MRCGP is not the same as MRCGP[INT]

ExamCure’s published MRCGP[INT] resources are international pathway resources. They must not be presented as UK MRCGP AKT or SCA preparation unless the product has been separately reviewed and explicitly labelled for the UK examination.

Choose your pathway

Start with your profession—not a generic “UK exam”

UK registration and postgraduate assessment routes differ by profession. Select the pathway that matches your qualification and career objective.

PLAB live

International medical graduates

PLAB 1 and PLAB 2 may form part of the GMC registration route for eligible international medical graduates.

Pathway guidance

Postgraduate and Royal College exams

Examples include MRCP(UK), UK MRCGP and other specialty membership or fellowship assessments.

UK course not yet linked

Nurses and midwives

The NMC Test of Competence pathway uses a computer-based test and a practical OSCE where applicable.

Preparation planned

Overseas-qualified dentists

Eligible candidates may need the GDC Overseas Registration Examination, comprising Part 1 and Part 2.

Registration route

International pharmacists

The current Great Britain route can involve eligibility assessment, OSPAP, foundation training and the registration assessment.

Application route

Allied health professionals

Many regulated allied-health professions use the HCPC international application route rather than one universal licensing examination.

Doctors

PLAB, the MLA and GMC registration

International doctors who use the PLAB route continue to take PLAB. The GMC states that PLAB is compliant with Medical Licensing Assessment requirements and uses the MLA content map.

Correct positioning

Do not market “UKMLA” and PLAB as two competing exams for international medical graduates. UK medical students take the MLA through their degree; international doctors using this route continue to take PLAB. Verify with the GMC.

1

Check eligibility

Review the GMC’s current qualification, English-language, internship and registration requirements for your circumstances.

2

Prepare for PLAB 1

Build applied knowledge, patient-safety judgment, clinical prioritisation and timed single-best-answer practice.

3

Complete PLAB 2

Prepare separately for the practical clinical and professional skills assessment. PLAB 1 preparation alone does not cover PLAB 2.

4

Apply to the GMC

Passing examinations does not itself guarantee registration. Submit the required evidence and complete the GMC application process.

Postgraduate medical exams

Keep Royal College pathways separate and component-specific

Postgraduate membership and fellowship examinations are not interchangeable with GMC registration. Candidates should choose preparation for the exact college, specialty and examination component.

Three components

MRCP(UK)

  • Part 1 written examination
  • Part 2 written examination
  • PACES clinical examination

Confirm that any course or question bank names the specific component it prepares you for.

ExamCure does not currently link a verified UK-specific MRCP(UK) product from this hub.

UK route

UK MRCGP

  • Applied Knowledge Test (AKT)
  • Simulated Consultation Assessment (SCA)
  • Workplace-based assessment within UK GP training

UK MRCGP must be distinguished from MRCGP[INT], which is a separate international examination pathway.

Nurses and midwives

NMC Test of Competence pathway

The Nursing and Midwifery Council uses the Test of Competence for applicable overseas and returning applicants. The route includes a computer-based test and a practical OSCE; both must be completed successfully where the Test of Competence applies.

Part one

Computer-Based Test

A computer-based assessment delivered through the NMC’s test provider. Candidates should use the current NMC candidate information and blueprint for their field.

Part two

Objective Structured Clinical Examination

A practical examination assessing clinical and communication skills. Preparation must be specific to the candidate’s field and current NMC materials.

No UK-specific ExamCure NMC product is linked here yet

Do not send candidates to a generic Gulf nursing course and label it as NMC CBT or OSCE preparation. Publish only after the UK product, field, blueprint, content and checkout details are verified.

Other professions

Dental, pharmacy and allied-health registration pathways

These professions do not share one universal UK healthcare examination. Use the relevant regulator’s current international registration process.

Preparation planned

Dentists · GDC

Overseas Registration Examination

For applicable overseas-qualified dentists, the ORE contains Part 1 and Part 2. Eligibility and booking must be confirmed with the General Dental Council.

  • Part 1 knowledge assessment
  • Part 2 practical clinical assessment
  • Separate application and booking requirements
Current route

Pharmacists · Great Britain

International pharmacist registration

The current route for relevant internationally qualified pharmacists can include the OSPAP, foundation training and the GPhC registration assessment.

  • Eligibility assessment
  • Accredited OSPAP
  • Foundation training and registration assessment
Application route

Allied health professionals

HCPC international applications

Many regulated allied-health professions apply through the HCPC international route, with assessment of education, training, experience and supporting evidence.

  • Profession-specific standards of proficiency
  • Document and evidence review
  • Possible additional requirements based on assessment

Availability matrix

What visitors can access from this page

This status table prevents empty catalogue headings and makes the difference between live resources, pathway information and planned products explicit.

Pathway ExamCure status Best next action
PLAB 1 Available now View the PLAB 1 MCQ bank
PLAB 1 Complete Bundle Programme available Review the live programme contents
MRCP(UK) No verified UK-specific product linked Use the official MRCP(UK) examination route
PLAB 2 No verified product linked Use the current GMC guidance
UK MRCGP AKT / SCA No verified UK product linked Use the official RCGP route
NMC CBT / OSCE Preparation planned Confirm your NMC field and route
GDC ORE Preparation planned Review ORE eligibility and booking
Pharmacy / HCPC professions Official pathway links Follow the relevant regulator’s international application process

Primary sources

Verify requirements with the official UK body

Exam formats, eligibility rules, dates, fees and application processes can change. Check the official source before booking, paying or relying on a preparation plan.

Frequently asked questions

UK healthcare exam preparation FAQ

Are PLAB and the UK MLA separate exams for international doctors?

No. International doctors using this route continue to take PLAB. The GMC states that PLAB is compliant with MLA requirements and is based on the MLA content map. UK medical students take the MLA through their medical degree.

Which UK exam preparation is currently available from ExamCure?

This page currently links to the published PLAB 1 Complete Bundle and the PLAB 1 MCQ Bank. Confirm the exact inclusions, access duration, current price and payment terms on the live programme or course page and at checkout.

Does the PLAB 1 question bank also prepare me for PLAB 2?

No. PLAB 1 and PLAB 2 assess different formats. PLAB 2 requires separate practical clinical and professional-skills preparation.

Is MRCGP[INT] the same as UK MRCGP?

No. UK MRCGP and MRCGP[INT] are separate pathways. UK MRCGP includes the AKT and SCA within UK GP specialty training, while MRCGP[INT] is delivered through approved international programmes or regions. Always check the exact examination title on the product page.

Do all overseas healthcare professionals take a UK licensing exam?

No. The route depends on the profession and individual circumstances. Some professions use examinations, while others use an international application and evidence-assessment process. Start with the relevant regulator.

Can ExamCure confirm that I am eligible for UK registration?

ExamCure can help you understand preparation options but cannot make a licensing decision. Only the relevant regulator can confirm eligibility, evidence requirements, registration status and final outcomes.

How do I confirm course price and access duration?

Use the exact live product page and checkout as the source of truth. Do not rely on older blog posts, cached pages or general site statements for current commercial terms.

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Begin with the correct route

Preparing for PLAB 1?

Start with ExamCure’s currently published PLAB 1 preparation. For other UK professions and postgraduate routes, use the official regulator links above and contact ExamCure only for verified product availability.

Independent-provider disclaimer: ExamCure is not affiliated with, approved by or endorsed by the General Medical Council, Federation of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the UK, Royal College of General Practitioners, Nursing and Midwifery Council, General Dental Council, General Pharmaceutical Council, Health and Care Professions Council, Pearson VUE or any other regulator or examination body named on this page. Trademarks belong to their respective owners. Course participation does not guarantee examination success, registration, employment, immigration permission or professional licensure.