How to Book PLAB 1 From Pakistan: GMC Online, Venues, Waiting Lists and Deadlines

Booking PLAB 1 is simple in principle and fiddly in practice. The GMC runs everything through its online account system, places are released in line with demand, and registrations close weeks before each sitting. From February 2027 there will be fewer overseas sittings and fewer overseas venues, which makes a methodical booking plan more valuable. This guide follows the steps in order for a candidate in Pakistan.

Step 1: create a GMC Online account and establish eligibility

The GMC says booking is done through "your GMC Online account under My Tests", and that the account is the easiest way to book tests, pay fees and update details. Before PLAB appears as an option you must satisfy the GMC's pre-booking requirements: an acceptable primary medical qualification and evidence of your knowledge of English, which for most Pakistani doctors means IELTS Academic or OET Medicine at the GMC's required levels (check the GMC's "evidence of your knowledge of English" page for the current minimums and validity rules).

Step 2: check availability

Eligible candidates can "view our current availability by registering for a GMC Online account" and logging in to the PLAB booking service. The GMC warns that "exam places are limited where demand is high, you may experience a wait for a test date". New places are opened in line with demand, and scheduled releases appear in the booking service; checking it regularly beats waiting for an announcement.

Step 3: choose a venue

Pakistan has two listed venues, Islamabad and Karachi (Lahore is not listed). Other overseas options include Dubai, Riyadh, Colombo and several Indian cities, plus the UK venues of Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff, Edinburgh, London and Manchester and the EU venues of Dublin and Madrid. From February 2027 Dhaka, Alexandria, Accra and Chennai close, and overseas sittings reduce from four a year to three, so demand at the remaining sites will rise.

Step 4: book early and know the closing rules

• "Booking availability varies by location, and registrations may close between two and six weeks before the test date."
• Only the account holder may use the account; booking through an agent or a friend is not allowed.
• Fees are paid in GMC Online at booking; the amounts are on the GMC's fees page. Refugee doctors in the UK pay nothing for their first two attempts.
• The GMC's results page lists an 11 February 2027 sitting with results on 25 March 2027; later 2027 dates follow the three-sitting overseas pattern.

Step 5: understand attempts and cancellations

Candidates can keep sitting PLAB 1 until they have failed four times; a fifth attempt requires an additional-attempt application, and failing that fifth attempt makes the candidate ineligible. Cancelling or amending a booking is covered in its own chapter of the GMC guide, with fee consequences that depend on timing; read it before you book a date you are not sure of.

A booking timeline for the February 2027 sitting

1. Now: GMC Online account, primary qualification details, English evidence uploaded.
2. October to November 2026: watch the booking service for February releases at Islamabad and Karachi; book the moment a place appears.
3. By mid-December: assume registrations may close six weeks out; do not plan on a January booking.
4. January 2027: final preparation; timed 180-question mocks.

What this means for you

Treat the booking as part of the preparation plan, with its own deadlines, rather than an afterthought. A candidate ready in January with no seat is not ready. FAME's PLAB 1 package pairs the question bank with a preparation calendar keyed to the GMC's sitting months.

Sources and references

• GMC: Information on booking a PLAB 1 place (booking service, closing windows, attempts, fees link)
• GMC: When and where can I take PLAB 1? (venues, sitting months)
• GMC, 20 May 2026: Changes to international PLAB 1 exam locations
• GMC: Evidence of your knowledge of English