Professionals who want to migrate and settle abroad have to pass some professional eligibility tests depending up on the type of profession. We give below some of those tests.

IELTS (International English Language Testing System)

IELTS independently checks Listening, Speaking, Writing and Reading through several tasks. The Cambridge University revised IELTS by classifying the whole information into General, Global and Specific kinds. Increasing order of difficulty is among General, Global and Specific in sequence. The test will be conducted in two successive days. Each independent skill carry a maximum of 40 marks and those 40 marks are equated to 9 bands. Overall band score is the average of all the independent band scores. The valid score for proficiency is 6.5 bands or more. Even the score of 6 bands is allowed in some countries. To obtain and prove one’s proficiency in English one ought to drill and practice the up-to-date revised material of four skills for no less than month’s time in the presence of Language Trainer. The score is valid for two academic years. Instruction is more important than Infrastructure and Accessory. At PLANEWELL CAREER Pvt. Ltd., we have highly experienced dab hand trainers to make you score high and the required at the very first time. Perhaps we maintain meaningful Infrastructure and Technical Accessory. Our Instruction includes Class Room Training and E-mail Guidance. You can leave your queries at scorelogic@yahoo.com. We issue the students with Main and Supplementary Material which brings you the sure result. (top)

TOEFL (Test of English as Foreign Language) (top)

The TOEFL IBT checks independent and integrated skills of Listening, Speaking, Writing and Reading. The new Speaking module is accent and pronunciation specific. With regard to one skill other skills will be testified of ie., Integrated Testing System. Each Skill is tested through several independent and integrated tasks. One has to attempt the whole test on-line, Internet Based. The maximum score is 120 and the valid score is 80 or more. TOEFL IBT score is valid for two years. To get maximum score shortcuts and tips are requisite and the student must concentrate more on Instruction and not on the Infrastructure or on the accessory. The TOEFL is required to assess the English proficiency of people who speak English as a non-native language. It is a required exam for those students wishing to begin undergraduate or graduate study in the US. The TOEFL is a computer exam which is given year round. There are 4 sections: listening comprehension, structure, reading comprehension and writing.

PLAB (Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board test) (top)

The Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board test (PLAB) is the assessment procedure conducted by the General Medical Council of the United Kingdom that is required for overseas doctors outside the European Union before they can practice medicine in the UK. The PLAB test has 2 parts: 1. Has EMQs (extended matching questions) and SBAs (Single Best Answer questions), This part is conducted in a number of countries including India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh. 2. Part 2 : Consists of an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE). This Part is available only in United Kingdom. It consists of 14 clinical stations, a pilot station and a rest station. The pilot station is usually unannounced and mixed with the clinical stations. The marks for the pilot station do not count towards the final score. All the stations are of five minutes duration. The level of difficulty of the clinical part of the PLAB exam is set at the level of competence of a senior house officer (SHO) in a first appointment in a UK hospital. The skills assessed in this exam are: Clinical examination, Practical skills, Communication skills, History taking. (top)

The General Medical Council (GMC) is the statutory body responsible for the regulation and standards of the medical profession in the United Kingdom. In order to carry out any sort of medical work or training, a doctor must first obtain registration with the GMC. Overseas doctors who are seeking limited registration must first pass, or be exempted from the Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board (PLAB) test conducted by the GMC. PLAB is set in two parts. Part 1 is conducted in the UK as well as in some other countries (currently Australia, Bulgaria, Dubai, Egypt, India, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Russia, South Africa, Sri Lanka and West Indies) and consists of 200 questions in Extended Matching Question (EMQ) and Single Best Answer (SBA) format. Part 2 is only available in the UK and takes the form of Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), which includes an assessment of clinical and communication skills. To be eligible to take the PLAB test, a doctor must hold an acceptable primary medical qualification and normally have satisfactorily completed (overseas) an acceptable internship of 12 months duration, or other experience regarded by the GMC as equivalent. The GMC also require doctors to pass an English test known as International English Language Testing System (IELTS) in order to be eligible to sit for the PLAB test. Doctors must achieve an overall IELTS score of 7.0, with a minimum of 6.0 in each of the Listening, Academic Reading, Academic Writing sections and 7.0 in the SPEAKING section. Doctors who hold qualifications recognised by the GMC for full and provisional registration are not required to take the PLAB test. European Economic Area (EEA) doctors may sometimes be asked by their prospective employer to take an English language test, as a condition of being offered a post. Doctors who are sponsored by the British Council, or other official sponsoring bodies, or who are on Overseas Doctors Training Scheme (ODTS), do not have to take the PLAB test and must not do so before or during the period of their sponsorship. If they take the PLAB test and fail, they will no longer be eligible for sponsorship. General information about the PLAB and application forms should be obtained direct from the GMC or downloaded from their web site: www.gmc-uk.org. It is advisable to apply for the PLAB test well in advance, as there is usually a waiting list of several months. Please note that passing the PLAB test will not guarantee the offer of a job in the United Kingdom. Finding a job remains the responsibility of the doctor who should ensure that he/she is well informed about the opportunities for work before embarking on the PLAB test. Additionally there is almost always a delay, which could be some months, between passing the PLAB examination and starting a job.  

PLAB EXEMPTION (top)

LIMITED REGISTRATION WITHOUT TAKING THE PLAB TEST: Doctors with a primary medical qualification accepted for limited registration must provide us with objective evidence of their capability for practice before we can offer them limited registration. They can do this by passing the PLAB test or in one of the ways listed here. In addition, all doctors applying for limited registration must have obtained a satisfactory score in the Academic Modules of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) administered by the British Council. The only doctors who are exempt from taking this test are those who are nationals of an EEA Member State, other than the United Kingdom, and those exercising an enforceable EC right. The satisfactory score of the IELTS for doctors who are not taking the PLAB test has been set at a minimum of 7.0 in each of the four individual sections. Doctors are required to provide evidence that they have obtained the appropriate score in the IELTS test. IELTS certificates are valid for a maximum of two years. We will grant limited registration only when a doctor has obtained an offer of suitable employment. Sponsorship Under Quality Assured Arrangements: This applies to doctors who have been selected for postgraduate training in the United Kingdom by a medical Royal College or Faculty, or by a small number of Postgraduate Institutions. For doctors undertaking research or academic work for which they require clinical access we have also approved the arrangements operated by a number of University Heads of Department. The Head of Department concerned will know if their arrangements have been approved by the GMC. Doctors who have previously failed the PLAB test are not considered suitable candidates for sponsorship. As a guide, all the selection arrangements we have approved include the following minimum requirements: That the doctor has completed an acceptable internship overseas of not less than twelve months; and Has undertaken thereafter not less than two years of medical practice overseas, of which not less than one year must have been spent in the specialty in which the doctor wishes to pursue further training in the United Kingdom. Completion of Basic Specialist Training: This applies to doctors who, in addition to their primary overseas medical qualification and twelve months` postgraduate internship, can provide evidence that they have completed basic specialist training, confirming eligibility to undertake higher specialist training, to the satisfaction of the appropriate UK postgraduate training body. We will grant limited registration to cover supervised appointments in the specialty or group of specialties in which basic training has been completed. Appointment to a Type I Specialist Registrar Post: We will grant limited registration to cover employment in a Type I specialist registrar post (SpR) on receipt of evidence of appointment. The registration will be restricted to the specialty concerned. Type l means a higher specialist-training program, which if completed satisfactorily, will lead to the award of a Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training (CCST) and entry to the specialist register held by the GMC. Doctors Eligible for Specialist Registration: Doctors who are found eligible by the Specialist Training Authority of the medical Royal Colleges (STA) for entry to the specialist register on the basis of overseas training may obtain limited registration in order to work in that specialty. They can usually proceed to full registration shortly thereafter. Overseas qualified specialists must have reached a level of specialist knowledge equivalent to that required for the award of a CCST in order to be recommended by the STA. Initial contact should be made with the appropriate UK postgraduate training body for assessment of qualifications and experience. Senior Doctor: We will consider applications from doctors who have practised overseas for at least five years in one broad specialty area after completing their postgraduate internship and who also have the following experience: (a). At least two years in posts providing postgraduate training in their specialty area, AND (b). Have been in active practice in that area within the last two years OR have undertaken a clinical attachment of not less than six weeks duration within the last six months in the UK under the supervision of a UK consultant. All applications of this type are referred to the GMC`s Registration Committee for consideration and may take longer to be determined. NB: A doctor who fails the PLAB test is not eligible for exemption by any route. If you are pursuing exemption then do not attempt the PLAB test.  

PLAB COURSES (top)

PLAB - Part 1:This course will help you focus on the skills required to succeed in the examination. All teaching is specially geared towards Extended Matching Questions (EMQS) and Single Best Answers (SBA), which form the basis of PLAB Part 1. The course provides a quick and efficient review of the core material with intensive coverage of regularly tested topics. The normal timings of the course are 10:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Teaching is in the form of small group sessions within a friendly environment. This will provide you with examination preparation techniques; ample practice and high yield tips. Duration: 7-Days Cost: £350 If you pay the full amount before the course begins then you enjoy a discount of £25 and pay only £325. We also offer a flexible payment scheme, if required, provided you have all necessary documents: £85 upfront + £265 (payable in upto 3 years). These courses are held approx. 10 - 15 days before each examination. Please click here for available (http://www.plabwise.co.uk/plabdates.htm) PLAB - Part 2:This course provides intensive coaching on all aspects of the PLAB Part 2 test. Doctors are trained in conducting clinical histories & examinations, counselling patients and dealing with various subtle scenarios. Teaching involves video demonstrations, physical examination techniques, manikin practice and exam reviews. The normal timings of the course are 10:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. The live lectures (a total of 9) are delivered by doctors who are specialising in their respective fields (Medicine, Surgery, Obs & Gyne, Paediatrics, Orthopaedics and Psychiatry) and almost all have passed PLAB themselves. Our tutors range from consultants to senior house officers. One full day is for manikins where you will gain good practice on all 13 manikin stations that repeatedly appear in PLAB. This also includes adult and paediatric CPR. You will also be shown some videos on physical examination techniques. Most of these examinations are performed by UK consultants and they give a good insight into the British way of doing things. There are 5-6 sessions for physical examination and counselling practice as well. The course will provide you with good orientation of the exam and a clear focus. We have been continuously refining the course in the light of feedback we receive from our students. PLABWISE always aims for the highest possible standards in a friendly environment conducive to learning. We ensure small groups to facilitate and maximise your learning. We will also provide you with a simulated exam experience / mock exam. Duration: 5-Days Cost: £250 If you pay the full amount before the course begins then you enjoy a discount of £25 and pay only £225. We also offer a flexible payment scheme, if required, provided you have all necessary documents: £75 upfront + £175 (payable in upto 3 years). The courses are held approx. 7 - 10 days before each examination. Please click here for available (http://www.plabwise.co.uk/plabdates.htm) Manikins Only:This course is intended for those who wish to enhance their practical skills but are confident with their core subject knowledge and communication skills. It provides hands-on practice on manikins similar to those used by the GMC. The normal timings of the course are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Duration: 1-Day Cost: £45 This course is held before each PLAB Part 2 examination. Please click here for available (http://www.plabwise.co.uk/plabdates.htm) How To Apply: To apply for any of the above courses you can download the form here. (http://www.plabwise.co.uk/plabcourse.htm) Please send the completed form via post along with the following items:- 2 Passport sized photographs Copy of GMC admit card Copy of passport Copy of MBBS or equivalent medical degree. (top)

Qualifications and experience required (top)

Doctors whose primary medical qualifications are accepted by the GMC for the purpose of limited registration are eligible to admission to the PLAB test . These include primary medical qualifications listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools, which is published by the World Health Organization  

USMILE ( United States Medical Licensing Examination) (top)

A medical student must pass the USMLE in order to become a licensed physician in the United States. In addition, any doctor licensed outside the country must pass this exam to practice medicine in the US. This test has three levels, called "Steps". The Step 1 exam is given to second year medical students. Most people take the USMLE in May-July or November-December. The United States Medical Licensing Examination is a multi-part professional exam sponsored by the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) and the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME). Medical doctors are required to pass before being permitted to practice medicine in the United States of America. It consists of three steps; all three must be passed before an allopathic medical school (M.D.) graduate is eligible to apply for a license to practice medicine in the United States. U.S. osteopathic medical school graduates are permitted to take the USMLE exam for medical licensure, but they may also get medical licensure in most states by taking the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX) instead. International medical school graduates must pass all three steps of the USMLE regardless of whether they have an M.D. or a D.O. degree. Overall pass rates for the USMLE are 92% for U.S. allopathic medical school (M.D.) graduates, 72% for U.S. osteopathic medical school graduates, and 59% for foreign medical school graduates. The USMLE steps are:

Step 1 (top)

USMLE Step 1 assesses whether medical school students or graduates understand and can apply important concepts of the sciences basic to the practice of medicine. As of 2007 it covers the following subjects, in both systemic (general and individual anatomical characteristics) and procedural (functional, theraputic, environmental, and ab/normality) themes:

• anatomy,
• behavioral sciences,
• biochemistry,
• microbiology,
• pathology,
• pharmacology,
• physiology,
• interdisciplinary topics, such as nutrition, genetics, and aging.

US medical students usually take Step 1 at the end of the second year of medical school. It is an eight-hour computer-based exam consisting of 350 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) divided into seven blocks each consisting of 50 questions. Each block must be finished within an hour. The remaining hour is break time. An optional tutorial about how to use the computer program of the exam is offered at the beginning of the exam and takes 15 minutes. This time is deducted from the hour of allotted break time. The scores are reported with a three digit score and a two digit score. As of January 1, 2007, the passing score has been raised to 185 from a previous score of 182. The average score is approximately 215. If the student passes the exam, he or she may not repeat the exam to achieve a higher score. Theoretically, the maximum score is 300 ^[3]. However, scores above 280 are virtually unheard of. While not recommended by the creators of the USMLE, the Step 1 score is frequently used in medical residency applications as a measure of a candidate's likelihood to succeed in that particular residency (and on that specialty's board exams). More competitive residency programs usually accept applications with higher Step 1 scores. The Step 1 exam is arguably the hardest and most important examination a medical student will take during his/her career. (top)

Step 2 (top)

USMLE Step 2 is designed to assess whether medical school students or graduates can apply medical knowledge, skills and understanding of clinical science essential for provision of patient care under supervision. US medical students typically take Step 2 during the fourth year of medical school. Step 2 is further divided into two separate exams. (top)

Step 2-CK (top)

USMLE Step 2-CK is designed to assess clinical knowledge through a traditional, multiple-choice examination. It is a 9 hour exam consisting of 8 blocks of 46 or 47 questions each. The subjects included in this exam are clinical sciences like Internal Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, Psychiatry and Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Step 2-CS (top)

USMLE Step 2-CS is designed to assess clinical skills through simulated patient interactions, in which the examinee interacts with standardized patients portrayed by actors. Each examinee faces 12 Standardized Patients (SPs) and has 15 minutes to complete history taking and clinical examination for each patient, and then 10 more minutes to write a patient note describing the findings, initial differential diagnosis list and a list of initial tests. Administration of the Step 2-CS began in 2004.

The examination is offered in five cities across the country:

• Philadelphia (PA)
• Chicago (IL)
• Atlanta (GA)
• Houston (TX)
• Los Angeles (CA)

Before 2004, a similar exam, the Clinical Skills Assessment (CSA) was used to assess the clinical skills of foreign medical graduates.

Step 3 (top)

USMLE Step 3 is designed to assess whether a medical school graduate can apply medical knowledge and understanding of biomedical and clinical science essential for the unsupervised practice of medicine. Graduates of US medical schools typically take this exam at the end of the first year of residency. Foreign medical graduates can take Step 3 before starting residency in about ten U.S. states. Step 3 is a two-day examination. Each day of testing must be completed within eight hours. The first day of testing includes 336 multiple-choice items divided into blocks, each consisting of 48 items. Examinees must complete each block within sixty minutes. The second day of testing includes 144 multiple-choice items, divided into blocks of 36 items. Examinees are required to complete each block within forty-five minutes. Approximately 3 hours are allowed for these multiple-choice item blocks. Also on the second day are nine Clinical Case Simulations, where the examinees are required to 'manage' patients in real-time case simulations. Examinees enter orders for medications and/or investigations into the simulation software, and the condition of the patient changes accordingly. Each case must be managed in a maximum of 25 minutes of actual time. Approximately forty-five minutes to one hour is available for break time on each of the two days of testing. (top)

NCELX (top)

A student must pass the NCLEX in order to become a licensed registered nurse in the US. Most nursing students take the exam within 3 months after finishing nursing school. This correlates to a May-July test "season." (Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools)is a non-profit and immigration-neutral organization located in Philadelphia ,PA. They are dedicated to protecting the public by evaluating the credentials of foreign educated nurses and health care workers wishing to be employed in the U.S. to ensure that they are qualified to meet licensure, immigration and practice requirements.  NCELX-RN (National Council Licensure EXamination-Registered Nurse) (top)

The NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure EXamination-Registered Nurse) is a computer-adaptive test of entry-level nursing competence. Passing the exam is required of candidates for licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN) by all US state and territorial Boards of Nursing. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) develops and administers the examination. The majority of test items are written at the application or higher levels of cognition but the exam may include items at all of the cognitive levels. The exam's content is based on client needs:

• Safe Effective Care Environment
  • Management of Care
  • Safety and Infection Control
• Health Promotion and Maintenance
• Psychosocial Integrity
• Physiological Integrity
  • Basic Care and Comfort
  • Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
  • Reduction of Risk Potential
  • Physiological Adaptation

• Require identifying and selecting a particular area of a drawn body part pertaining to the question
• Involve selecting multiple correct answers (via check box)
• Calculating an answer for a mathematical question (usually for medication dosages) and inputting the answer

• Safe Effective Care Environment
  • Coordinated Care
  • Safety and Infection Control
• Health Promotion and Maintenance
• Psychosocial Integrity
• Physiological Integrity
  • Basic Care and Comfort
  • Pharmacological Therapies
  • Reduction of Risk Potential
  • Physiological Adaptation

CERTIFICATION PROGRAM (top)

There are two programs required by the majority of the Boards of Nursing throughout the U.S. require for licensing foreign educated nurses. The first one is the CP (Certification Program) which consists of three parts. The first is a review of the education, registration and licensure credentials of the candidate. The second is the CGFNS Qualifying Exam which tests nursing knowledge. The third is an English language proficiency exam. Once these items have been successfully completed, the candidate is awarded the CGFNS Certificate. (top)

Credentials Evaluation Service  (top)

The second program required is the CES. This is an analysis of the applicant's credentials to compare them to U.S. standards for education and registration/licensing requirements. This is also a verification of credentials process. CGFNS International (Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools®) is an internationally recognized authority on credentials evaluation and verification pertaining to the education, registration and licensure of nurses and healthcare professionals worldwide.  (top)

This exam is required from graduates of nursing schools located outside of the United States of America who are interested in practicing as registered nurses in the U.S. The CGFNS Qualifying Examination is a test of the candidates' nursing knowledge and their understanding and use of English language. They will be awarded a CGFNS Certificate when they have passed both the nursing section and the English language section o f the examination. To be allowed to work as a registered nurse, persons must have a license. The license is issued by the Board of Nursing in the particular state in which the person is to work. For that candidates have to pass the state licensing examination. Most Boards o f Nursing require a foreign nurse graduate to get the CGFNS Certificate first. The CGFNS Qualifying Examination is a multiple choice, objective test. It is made up of three test booklets: two for testing nursing knowledge and one for testing English language ability. The test is one day long. The test is given two times a year (February and August) on the same day all around the world. The CGFNS examination is an assessment of the candidate's probability of success on the U.S. NCLEX-RN licensing examination. Successful candidates receive a CGFNS Certificate. The CGFNS examination is given in India in March, July and November at testing centers located in Bangalore, Kochi and New Delhi.  

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