PLAB 1 Biochemistry Most Important Topics 2026
The top 3 PLAB 1 Biochemistry chapters (Vitamins and Minerals, Metabolism and Bioenergetics and Proteins and Amino Acids) carry about 51 percent of the 5 Biochemistry MCQs on the PLAB 1 paper. All 8 chapters PLAB 1 examines are ranked below, with the method stated in full under the table.
Estimated from the official PLAB 1 syllabus weighting.
PLAB 1 Biochemistry chapter frequency table
All 8 Biochemistry chapters on the PLAB 1 syllabus, heaviest first. The subtopics under each chapter name are the ones it is most often examined on.
| # | Chapter | Est. MCQs | Share of Biochemistry | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vitamins and Minerals | 1.0 | 19.6% | Critical |
| 2 | Metabolism and Bioenergetics | 0.9 | 17.3% | Critical |
| 3 | Proteins and Amino Acids | 0.7 | 14.0% | Critical |
| 4 | Lipids | 0.7 | 13.2% | Important |
| 5 | Clinical Biochemistry | 0.5 | 9.9% | Important |
| 6 | Molecular Biology | 0.5 | 9.7% | Important |
| 7 | Enzymes | 0.5 | 9.2% | Standard |
| 8 | Carbohydrates | 0.4 | 7.1% | Standard |
How this was worked out: No solved paper we hold examines Biochemistry, so nothing here is counted from past papers. The 5 Biochemistry MCQs on the PLAB 1 paper are spread across the chapters in proportion to how much material each chapter carries in the syllabus. Use it as a study order, not as a prediction, and check the conducting body's own syllabus for the final word.
Top 8 most important Biochemistry topics for PLAB 1 2026
Vitamins and Minerals
CriticalVitamins and Minerals is 19.6 percent of the PLAB 1 Biochemistry paper and works out at roughly 1.0 MCQs on the paper.
Metabolism and Bioenergetics
CriticalMetabolism and Bioenergetics is 17.3 percent of the PLAB 1 Biochemistry paper and works out at roughly 0.9 MCQs on the paper.
Proteins and Amino Acids
CriticalProteins and Amino Acids is 14.0 percent of the PLAB 1 Biochemistry paper and works out at roughly 0.7 MCQs on the paper.
Lipids
ImportantLipids is 13.2 percent of the PLAB 1 Biochemistry paper and works out at roughly 0.7 MCQs on the paper.
Clinical Biochemistry
ImportantClinical Biochemistry is 9.9 percent of the PLAB 1 Biochemistry paper and works out at roughly 0.5 MCQs on the paper.
Molecular Biology
ImportantMolecular Biology is 9.7 percent of the PLAB 1 Biochemistry paper and works out at roughly 0.5 MCQs on the paper.
Enzymes
StandardEnzymes is 9.2 percent of the PLAB 1 Biochemistry paper and works out at roughly 0.5 MCQs on the paper.
Carbohydrates
StandardCarbohydrates is 7.1 percent of the PLAB 1 Biochemistry paper and works out at roughly 0.4 MCQs on the paper.
Every Biochemistry chapter on the PLAB 1 syllabus
393 free Biochemistry MCQs across 8 chapters, every answer explained.
PLAB 1 Biochemistry most important topics: frequently asked questions
What are the most important Biochemistry topics for PLAB 1 2026?
The highest-value PLAB 1 Biochemistry chapters are Vitamins and Minerals (about 1.0 MCQs), Metabolism and Bioenergetics (about 0.9 MCQs), Proteins and Amino Acids (about 0.7 MCQs), Lipids (about 0.7 MCQs) and Clinical Biochemistry (about 0.5 MCQs). Together they account for 74 percent of the 5 Biochemistry MCQs on the PLAB 1 paper. The ranking is derived rather than counted from PLAB 1 papers; the method is stated in full on this page.
How many Biochemistry MCQs are on the PLAB 1 paper?
Biochemistry is worth 5 MCQs on the PLAB 1 paper as set by General Medical Council (UK), spread across 8 chapters. This page ranks all 8 of them by how many of those MCQs each chapter is worth.
Are these PLAB 1 Biochemistry numbers counted from past papers?
No. No solved paper on TestUstad examines Biochemistry, so nothing here is a count. The 5 Biochemistry MCQs on the PLAB 1 paper are spread across the chapters in proportion to how much material each chapter carries in the syllabus. Treat it as a sensible study order and confirm against General Medical Council (UK)'s own syllabus.
Should I skip the low-priority Biochemistry chapters for PLAB 1?
No. Every chapter in this table appears on the PLAB 1 paper, and PLAB 1 is decided by a handful of marks. A chapter marked Standard still costs you the marks you drop on it. Use this ranking to decide the order you study in and how long you spend on each chapter, not to cut chapters out.
Where can I practise these PLAB 1 Biochemistry chapters?
Every chapter on this page links to its own free Biochemistry MCQs on TestUstad, 393 questions across the 8 chapters PLAB 1 examines. Practice is free and unlimited with no account, and every question carries a written explanation of why the correct option is correct.