PLAB 2 marking scheme: the three domains and the pass rule
Every PLAB 2 scenario is marked in the same three GMC domains: data gathering, technical and assessment skills; clinical management skills; and interpersonal skills. Examiners also judge each station as Unsatisfactory, Borderline, Satisfactory or Good, and the GMC uses those judgments to set each station's pass score (borderline regression). To pass the exam you need both the overall pass mark and a minimum number of passed stations.
Last checked Nov 1, 2026 against the GMC PLAB 2 guide pages listed under Sources.
The short version
- Three domains, marked in all 16 scenarios [1].
- Domain 1 covers history, examination, procedures and investigations; domain 2 covers diagnosis, explaining and the plan; domain 3 covers rapport, questioning, involving the patient, professionalism and ethics [1].
- A separate overall judgment per station (Unsatisfactory / Borderline / Satisfactory / Good) sets the station's pass score [2].
- Overall pass mark = sum of station pass scores + one standard error of measurement [2].
- You must also pass a minimum number of stations, and you won't be told the exact number [2].
- The GMC doesn't publish the points per domain or per checklist item on the pages we read.
The three domains, in the GMC's words
| Domain | GMC description [1] | What that looks like in a station |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Data gathering, technical and assessment skills | "History taking, physical examination, practical procedures, investigations leading to a diagnosis." | A focused history with red flags; saying what you'd examine and why; choosing sensible tests |
| 2. Clinical management skills | "Formulating a diagnosis, explaining something to the patient, formulating a management plan." | A working diagnosis in plain words; a safe plan the patient agrees to; follow-up and safety-netting |
| 3. Interpersonal skills | "How you approach the station: whether you establish a rapport with the patient, how you use open and closed questioning, involving the patient and demonstrating your professionalism and understanding of ethical principles." | Introduction and consent; open then closed questions; responding to cues and emotion; ICE; shared decisions; honesty and confidentiality |
The right-hand column is our reading of what each domain rewards, not GMC wording.
How a station score becomes a pass or fail
The GMC explains the steps on its results page [2]:
- The examiner marks your performance in the station's domains.
- The examiner also makes a standard-setting judgment of the whole station: Unsatisfactory, Borderline, Satisfactory or Good.
- Across all candidates in the exam, the GMC relates the domain marks to those judgments (borderline regression) to set the station's pass score ("cut score").
- The 16 cut scores are added up, and one standard error of measurement is added to give the overall pass mark.
- You pass if your total meets the overall pass mark AND you pass a minimum number of stations.
What this means for you:
- No fixed pass mark you can learn in advance. It is set from that exam's judgments.
- Breadth matters. Doing brilliantly in a few stations doesn't make up for failing many.
- Every domain counts in every station. A perfect history with no explanation or no rapport loses marks.
Sample marking breakdown (example)
This is an example written by Confetto to show how the three domains apply to one station. It is not a GMC mark sheet, and the GMC doesn't publish its station checklists. The comments are the kind of evidence a good feedback report quotes.
Station (example): FY2 in a GP surgery. Ms Rivera, 34, has had headaches for three weeks and wants a scan. Task: take a history, explain your assessment and agree a plan.
| Domain | What the candidate did (example) | Likely judgment | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data gathering | Asked onset, site, character, timing, triggers; asked about vision changes, worse on lying down, waking at night, weakness, fever and neck stiffness; checked medicines including painkiller use per week | Strong | Covered red flags and a medication-overuse question, which changes the plan |
| Clinical management | Said "this sounds like tension-type headache, possibly made worse by taking painkillers most days"; explained why a scan isn't needed now; agreed a headache diary and a review; safety-netted with specific red flags and when to seek urgent help | Strong | Clear diagnosis in plain words, a reasoned plan, specific safety-net |
| Interpersonal | Opened well, but when Ms Rivera said "my aunt had a brain tumor," moved straight on to the next question; later repeated "you don't need a scan" three times | Borderline | Missed the cue that drove her request; didn't address her concern, so the plan felt imposed |
Overall: strong on content, but the missed cue left the patient unconvinced. A better version: "You mentioned your aunt. Is that on your mind with these headaches?" Then explain why her symptoms don't point to a tumor, and what would make you change your mind.
Checklist: what to show in every station
- Introduce yourself, confirm the patient's identity, explain your role.
- Start open, then focus. Ask the red flags out loud.
- Ask about ideas, concerns and expectations, and use them in your plan.
- Respond to cues and feelings before moving on.
- Give a working diagnosis or impression in plain words.
- Agree a plan; check understanding (chunk and check).
- Safety-net: what to look out for, what to do, how soon.
- Be honest, keep confidentiality, and ask for consent where needed.
Practice with domain marking
Confetto isn't affiliated with the GMC. Our marking follows the published domains; it isn't the GMC's mark sheet.
Frequently asked questions
What are the three PLAB 2 domains?
Data gathering, technical and assessment skills; clinical management skills; and interpersonal skills [1].
Is interpersonal skills only about being polite?
No. The GMC description includes rapport and questioning but also "involving the patient and demonstrating your professionalism and understanding of ethical principles" [1].
What is borderline regression?
The GMC's method of setting each station's pass score from examiners' overall judgments (Unsatisfactory, Borderline, Satisfactory, Good) and the domain marks of all candidates in that exam [2].
How many stations must I pass?
A minimum number set by the GMC's method. The GMC says you won't be told exactly how many were required [2].
Does the GMC publish the PLAB 2 mark sheet?
Not on the pages we read. It publishes the domains and the method, plus a sample OSCE station in its PLAB 2 guide [3].
Are all domains weighted equally?
The GMC pages we read don't state domain weights for PLAB 2.
Sources
Read on November 1, 2026.