Table 6.

 Random effects ordinal logistic regression model estimating effect of number of attempts at Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB)examination, parts 1 and 2, on obtaining less satisfactory Annual Review of Competence Progression (ARCP) outcomes (n=24 474) in international medical graduates (n=10 678)*

Predictor	Odds ratio (95% CI)
Part 1 of PLAB test
Male sex	1.24 (1.14 to 1.35)
Age	1.04 (1.03 to 1.05)
UK experience	0.89 (0.87 to .92)
Overall IELTS score	0.73 (0.67 to 0.80)
Two attempts at PLAB part 1	1.30 (1.16 to 1.45)
Three attempts at PLAB part 1	1.69 (1.41 to 2.02)
Four or more attempts at PLAB part 1	1.60 (1.29 to 1.98)
Part 2 of PLAB test
Male sex	1.21 (1.11 to 1.32)
Age	1.04 (1.03 to 1.05)
UK experience	0.89 (0.86 to 0.91)
Overall IELTS score	0.73 (0.67 to 0.80)
Two attempts at PLAB part 2	1.34 (1.20 to 1.50)
Three or more attempts at PLAB part 2	1.49† (1.14 to 1.94)

IELTS=International English Language Test System.

*Passing the exam at first sitting was used as base (comparator) category. ARCP outcomes associated with exam failure were excluded. All odds ratios are significant at P<0.001 level unless otherwise indicated.

†P=0.003.