PLAB 1 Pathology Most Important Topics 2026
The top 3 PLAB 1 Pathology chapters (Haematology, Inflammation and Repair and Haemodynamic Disorders) carry about 57 percent of the 25 Pathology 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 Pathology chapter frequency table
All 8 Pathology 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 Pathology | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Haematology | 5.4 | 21.5% | Critical |
| 2 | Inflammation and Repair | 4.6 | 18.3% | Critical |
| 3 | Haemodynamic Disorders | 4.4 | 17.6% | Critical |
| 4 | Systemic Pathology | 3.4 | 13.5% | Important |
| 5 | Neoplasia | 2.9 | 11.8% | Important |
| 6 | Cell Injury and Adaptation | 2.7 | 10.7% | Standard |
| 7 | Genetic Disorders | 1.0 | 3.8% | Standard |
| 8 | Immunopathology | 0.7 | 2.8% | Standard |
How this was worked out: No solved paper we hold examines Pathology, so nothing here is counted from past papers. The 25 Pathology 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 Pathology topics for PLAB 1 2026
Haematology
CriticalHaematology is 21.5 percent of the PLAB 1 Pathology paper and works out at roughly 5.4 MCQs on the paper.
Inflammation and Repair
CriticalInflammation and Repair is 18.3 percent of the PLAB 1 Pathology paper and works out at roughly 4.6 MCQs on the paper.
Haemodynamic Disorders
CriticalHaemodynamic Disorders is 17.6 percent of the PLAB 1 Pathology paper and works out at roughly 4.4 MCQs on the paper.
Systemic Pathology
ImportantSystemic Pathology is 13.5 percent of the PLAB 1 Pathology paper and works out at roughly 3.4 MCQs on the paper.
Neoplasia
ImportantNeoplasia is 11.8 percent of the PLAB 1 Pathology paper and works out at roughly 2.9 MCQs on the paper.
Cell Injury and Adaptation
StandardCell Injury and Adaptation is 10.7 percent of the PLAB 1 Pathology paper and works out at roughly 2.7 MCQs on the paper.
Genetic Disorders
StandardGenetic Disorders is 3.8 percent of the PLAB 1 Pathology paper and works out at roughly 1.0 MCQs on the paper.
Immunopathology
StandardImmunopathology is 2.8 percent of the PLAB 1 Pathology paper and works out at roughly 0.7 MCQs on the paper.
Every Pathology chapter on the PLAB 1 syllabus
289 free Pathology MCQs across 8 chapters, every answer explained.
PLAB 1 Pathology most important topics: frequently asked questions
What are the most important Pathology topics for PLAB 1 2026?
The highest-value PLAB 1 Pathology chapters are Haematology (about 5.4 MCQs), Inflammation and Repair (about 4.6 MCQs), Haemodynamic Disorders (about 4.4 MCQs), Systemic Pathology (about 3.4 MCQs) and Neoplasia (about 2.9 MCQs). Together they account for 83 percent of the 25 Pathology 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 Pathology MCQs are on the PLAB 1 paper?
Pathology is worth 25 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 Pathology numbers counted from past papers?
No. No solved paper on TestUstad examines Pathology, so nothing here is a count. The 25 Pathology 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 Pathology 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 Pathology chapters?
Every chapter on this page links to its own free Pathology MCQs on TestUstad, 289 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.