How many stations are in PLAB 2?

16 scenarios of eight minutes each, plus at least two rest stations.

Does the GMC publish a list of PLAB 2 stations?

No list of station types on the pages we read. The GMC says PLAB stations are based on the MLA content map and the exam could cover anything an F2 doctor might see at work.

What are the most common PLAB 2 stations?

The GMC doesn't publish frequencies by station type, so any "most common" list is someone's experience, not official.

Are there examination stations in PLAB 2?

The GMC's data gathering domain includes "physical examination", but the GMC pages we read don't describe how examination stations run. See examination stations.

What level of knowledge do I need?

The GMC says the exam could cover anything a doctor in an F2 role might expect to see at work.

PLAB 2 Stations: Every Station Type and What Scores

Name: Confetto
Brand: Confetto
Price: 149 USD
Availability: InStock

The short version

16 scenarios × 8 minutes, at least two rest stations, about three hours [1].
Content is based on the MLA content map; the level is F2 [1][2].
Every station is marked in three domains: data gathering, technical and assessment skills; clinical management; interpersonal skills [3].
The station "types" below are a practical grouping used by candidates and teachers, not an official GMC list.
Most stations mix types: a history station may end with an explanation; an ethics station is often an angry relative.
The best preparation is to practice every type under time, not only your favorites.

The common station types

Station type	What the task usually asks	The skill that decides it	Guide
History taking	Take a focused history, sometimes explain and plan	Red flags asked out loud, ICE, time control	History taking
Explaining a diagnosis or plan	Explain a new diagnosis, a test result or a treatment	Plain words, small chunks, checking understanding	Explaining a diagnosis
Breaking bad news	Tell a patient or relative difficult news	Warning shot, pauses, responding to emotion (SPIKES)	Breaking bad news
Consent	Explain a procedure and seek consent	Benefits, risks, alternatives, including doing nothing; capacity	Consent station
Angry or upset patient/relative	Respond to a complaint, delay or error	Listen first, acknowledge, apologize where right, explain, offer next steps	Angry patient
Telephone consultation	Assess and advise by phone	Identity check, structured questions without visual cues, clear safety-net	Telephone consultation
Ethics and law	Capacity, confidentiality, DVLA, a colleague's error, candour	Knowing the GMC position and saying it kindly	Ethics stations
Counseling	Smoking, contraception, starting a medicine	Patient's own goals, shared decisions, teach-back	Counseling stations
Handover / SBAR	Hand over a sick patient to a senior	Situation first, concise background, clear assessment and request	Handover with SBAR
Examination	Examine (or describe how you'd examine) and explain findings	Consent, dignity, systematic routine, findings explained	Examination stations
Acute / emergency	A deteriorating patient, often an A–E approach	Prioritizing, escalating early, stating actions clearly	coming soon

What every station type has in common

Because all 16 stations use the same three domains [3], the same habits score everywhere:

Opening: introduce yourself, confirm identity, explain your role and the purpose.
Agenda: an open question, then let them talk. Find out what they think, fear and want (ICE).
Focus: the questions that change management, including red flags.
Explain: a working impression in plain words, in small chunks, checking understanding.
Plan together: options, the patient's view, an agreed next step.
Safety-net and close: what to watch for, what to do, and when; any questions.

Worked example: one station, three types at once

Example written by Confetto for practice. Not a GMC station.

Task: You are the FY2 on a surgical ward. Mrs Okafor's son, Daniel, wants to speak to you. His mother, 78, had a hip operation two days ago. This morning she was found on the floor beside her bed. She is not injured. Talk to Daniel.

This looks like an "angry relative" station. It is also an ethics station (candour and confidentiality) and an explaining station.

Minute	What a strong candidate does	Domain
0–1	Introduces, checks who Daniel is and that his mother is happy for information to be shared with him (or that she lacks capacity and he is the right person)	Interpersonal (ethics)
1–3	Lets Daniel speak without interrupting; acknowledges: "It must have been a shock to hear she was found on the floor."	Interpersonal
3–5	Explains what happened honestly, what checks were done, that she wasn't injured, and apologizes that it happened	Clinical management, Interpersonal (candour)
5–7	Explains what will change now (falls assessment, call bell in reach, review of medicines and lying-standing blood pressure as per ward protocol) and how the incident is being reported and reviewed	Clinical management
7–8	Offers to involve the nurse in charge or consultant, explains how to raise a formal complaint if he wishes, checks what else worries him	Interpersonal, Clinical management

The duty of candour behind minute 3–5: when something goes wrong, tell the person, apologize, offer a remedy or support, and explain the effects [4].

Checklist: build your station bank

At least three stations of each type above, done under 8 minutes.
At least one in each of: GP surgery, A&E, ward, phone.
At least two where the "patient" is a relative or carer.
At least two where you have to say no (e.g. a request for antibiotics or a scan that isn't indicated).
At least two where something went wrong (an error, a delay).
A full 16-station circuit before the exam.