Is PLAB Still Worth It In 2026? About to Give Up? The Honest Reality

Most IMGs sit PLAB thinking it's the answer. It isn't. PLAB is the registration door — what you do after determines everything. In this video, I walk you through 5 filters that will tell you whether PLAB is the right move for your specific situation — covering registration, timing, training pathways, financial ROI, and long-term career positioning in the NHS. This is not a PLAB 1 preparation guide. This is a strategic framework for IMGs who want to make the right decision before spending time, money, and energy on an exam that may — or may not — be the right entry point for them. What you'll learn: ✅ Why PLAB gives you GMC registration but NOT a training number ✅ How UK graduate prioritisation changes your post-PLAB strategy ✅ The real cost of PLAB beyond exam fees (flights, accommodation, visa, lost income) ✅ What a strong post-PLAB portfolio actually looks like ✅ The 5 questions every IMG must answer before they sit If you're an International Medical Graduate navigating the UK medical system, drop a comment below — tell me where you are in the process. Your questions shape what I post next. 🔔 Subscribe for more on NHS careers, medical research, and AI in medicine. #PLAB #IMG #NHScareers #UKMLA #GMCregistration I’m Pasan Witharana, a cardiothoracic trainee and PhD researcher at Imperial College London. Subscribe for weekly videos on academic writing, research paper tips, literature review strategies, PhD productivity hacks, and career advice for medical professionals and researchers navigating the NHS and beyond.​ 📱 Instagram:   / itstechsurgeon   🌐 Website: https://pasanwitharana.com/