Bibliography and guidelines · PLAB
PLAB bibliography and guidelines
The General Medical Council does not recommend textbooks for PLAB. Questions are based on the MLA content map, and management follows UK guidance such as NICE and the BNF. Those sources are collected here.
- PLAB 1clinical knowledge test: 180 questions in 3 hours
- PLAB 2practical exam with simulated patients
- MLAthe content map the GMC bases its questions on
Who sets the exam scope
General Medical Council (GMC)
The UK medical regulator: it runs PLAB, keeps the medical register and sets the Good medical practice standards.
How the GMC describes the scope
- 1The knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to work in the UK
- 2The level of a doctor starting the second year of the Foundation Programme
- 3Professional values from Good medical practice
Guidelines we check explanations against
- NICE guidanceUK clinical guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.www.nice.org.uk
- NICE CKSShort management summaries for primary care.cks.nice.org.uk
- BNFBritish National Formulary: drug doses and interactions.bnf.nice.org.uk
- The Green BookThe UK immunisation handbook (UKHSA).www.gov.uk
- Resuscitation Council UKUK resuscitation guidelines.www.resus.org.uk
- SIGNScottish clinical guidelines.www.sign.ac.uk
Check status
Checking the explanations against these sources is planned. The list shows what we will be using.
How an explanation is made
-
1
The question and the correct answer
We start with the question and the answer that needs explaining.
-
2
Checking the sources
We check the answer against the guidelines, regulations and reading named for the exam.
-
3
Explained in our own words
We write a short explanation of why this answer is right and the others are not. No copying of anyone else’s text.
-
4
Source at the end
Each explanation ends with its source, so you can check it yourself.
Other programmes
- LEKPolish Medical Final ExaminationMedical Examinations Centre (CEM)Check in progressSee sources
- LDEKPolish Dental Final ExaminationMedical Examinations Centre (CEM)Check plannedSee sources
- LEWPolish Medical Verification ExaminationMedical Examinations Centre (CEM)Check plannedSee sources
- LDEWPolish Dental Verification ExaminationMedical Examinations Centre (CEM)Check plannedSee sources
- FEWPolish Pharmacy Verification ExaminationMedical Examinations Centre (CEM)Check plannedSee sources
- NostrificationRecognition of a medical diploma in PolandPolish medical universitiesCheck plannedSee sources
- USMLEUnited States Medical Licensing ExaminationUSMLE: a programme of the FSMB and NBMECheck plannedSee sources
- DHADubai Health AuthorityDubai Health Authority (DHA)Check plannedSee sources
- FMGEForeign Medical Graduate ExaminationNational Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS)Check plannedSee sources
Spotted something out of date?
Report it on the question or write to us. We check every report against the sources and fix the explanation.
MedMigrant is not affiliated with the body that runs this exam (General Medical Council (GMC)). The lists come from its website; always check the current version at the source before your exam. Last updated 01.11.2026.