The Hoax of Medicine in the UK Part 1

1. PLAB and job opportunity

PLAB, otherwise called the professional and linguistic examination, is the exam that a person has to pass in order to start applying for jobs/training in the UK. It is a two part exam, first part being an MCQ and the second part an OSCE. The total cost of exams is around 500 pounds. The second part as of now can be taken only in the UK. A PLAB Visa costs you some more money and in addition, the flight tickets and the cost of stay in the UK.
A pass in the PLAB exam, does not guarantee a job, though. Most jobs in the UK, ask for previous UK experience, possession of a GMC registration and the possession of a valid visa. Even though, all employers in UK follow the equal opportunity policy of non discrimination, British nationals and EU citizens get priority for all the jobs.

The situation is always a paradox, because unless you get a job, the GMC does not give you a registration, but unless you have a registration, most people don’t consider you for the job. Same is the situation with the VISA. If you don’t have a valid visa, most people don’t consider you for a job, and to get a visa, you need to show the home office that you have been offered a job. Although the situation now has changed for worse.

GMC was at one point in time, the most profitable organization in the UK. The PLAB exam was the main source of income for the GMC, which also relies on the membership fees on the running of the organization. Because of the sudden change in the VISA situation, the number of people attempting PLAB has decreased, thus leading to a decline in its income.