PLE November 2027: Complete Physician Licensure Exam Prep Guide (Schedule, 12 Subjects, Passing Rate, Study Plan)

Anim na taon ng pag-aaral, isang taon ng internship — at ngayon isang exam na lang bago ka maging opisyal na Duktor. This is the definitive November 2027 PLE (Physician Licensure Examination) prep guide covering the official PRC schedule, requirements, all 12 subject areas across 4 exam days, historical passing rates, a 6-month study plan for post-internship candidates, review center recommendations, and the complete career path a Registered Physician (MD) can pursue after passing.

PLE November 2027 Schedule (Official PRC Dates)

The PLE is administered by the Board of Medicine under PRC, held twice a year — typically March and November. For the November 2027 batch:

PLE Exam Dates: November 6–7 and 13–14, 2027 (Saturdays and Sundays, 2 weekends)
Application deadline: Around late September 2027 (approximately 45 days before exam)
Application venue: PRC LERIS online portal (prc.gov.ph/leris)
Testing centers: Manila, Baguio, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Legaspi, Zamboanga, CDO, Tuguegarao, Tacloban, and other PRC-designated regional centers
Format: Multiple choice, 4 days, 3 subjects per day (12 total subjects)

Cross-check on the PRC Calendar 2027 hub.

PLE 2027 Requirements

Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree from a CHED-recognized medical school
Certificate of Completion of Post-Graduate Internship (PGI) from a DOH-accredited teaching hospital
Original + photocopy of Transcript of Records with SO number
Original + photocopy of PSA Birth Certificate
PSA Marriage Certificate (for married female applicants)
NBI Clearance (valid, within 6 months)
Certificate of Good Moral Character from medical school Dean
Two passport-size ID photos, white background, with name tag
Payment: PHP 900 (subject to change)

Governed by RA 2382 (The Medical Act of 1959, as amended).

PLE Structure: 12 Subjects Across 4 Days

Each subject is 100 multiple-choice items, 2.5 hours per subject.

Day 1 (Nov 6, 2027) — ANATOMY, BIOCHEMISTRY, MICROBIOLOGY

Anatomy and Histology: Gross anatomy, embryology, histology, neuroanatomy
Biochemistry and Nutrition: Molecular biology, metabolism, clinical + nutritional biochem
Microbiology and Parasitology: Bacteriology, virology, mycology, immunology, parasitology

Day 2 (Nov 7, 2027) — PHYSIOLOGY, PATHOLOGY, PHARMACOLOGY

Physiology: Cellular, CV, resp, renal, GI, endocrine, neuro physiology
Pathology: General + systemic pathology, cytology, hematology
Pharmacology and Therapeutics: Autonomic drugs, CV, antibiotics, chemo, analgesics, drug interactions

Day 3 (Nov 13, 2027) — MED, SURG, OB-GYN

Internal Medicine: Cardio, pulmo, GI, nephro, endo, hema, rheum, ID, onco
Surgery: General surgery, anesthesia, ortho, uro, ENT, neuro, plastic, trauma, transplant
Obstetrics and Gynecology: Pregnancy, labor, delivery, gyn conditions, repro endo, gyn onco

Day 4 (Nov 14, 2027) — PEDIA, PSYCH, PREV MED / LEGAL MED

Pediatrics: Neonatology, growth and development, peds ID, cardio, onco, endo
Psychiatry and Neurology: Mood, anxiety, psychotic disorders, dementia, stroke, epilepsy, movement
Preventive Medicine, Public Health, Legal Medicine, and Medical Ethics: Epi, DOH public health programs, occupational health, forensic medicine, medical jurisprudence, ethics

PLE Passing Score

General weighted average of 75% or higher, AND
No grade below 50% in any subject area

PLE Passing Rate History (National)

PLE has a relatively high passing rate — typically 75–90% nationally — because only MD graduates with completed PGI can sit.

March 2024 PLE: ~85%
September 2024 PLE: ~87%
March 2025 PLE: ~83%
Top schools: UP College of Medicine, ASMPH, UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, DLSMHSI, Cebu Institute of Medicine, USC School of Medicine — consistently 95–100% passers.

6-Month PLE Study Plan (Post-Internship)

Month 1: Anatomy + Physiology + Biochemistry (Basic Sciences Day 1–2 foundation)
Month 2: Microbiology + Pharmacology + Pathology
Month 3: Internal Medicine (heaviest Clinical Sciences subject) — give it a full month
Month 4: Surgery + OB-GYN + Pediatrics
Month 5: Psychiatry + Neurology + Preventive Medicine + Legal Medicine + Medical Ethics
Month 6: 2 full mock PLE (4-day format each) + Final Round + Rest 5–7 days before exam

Practice weekly with the PLE 2027 Interactive Sample Exam.

Best PLE Review Centers 2027

Topnotch Medical Board Prep — considered a top choice, online + in-person
PLM Review Center
Ospital ng Maynila Med Center Review
UST Faculty of Medicine Review Program (Alumni)
Perpetual Help Medical Review Center
Manila Central University Medical Review
MedGuideNotes / MedReview PH (online-only)

Full 6-month packages cost PHP 30,000–80,000. Alumni-run reviews at UP, UST, Ateneo, DLSU are typically discounted for their own grads.

Common Mistakes PLE Takers Make

Cramming Internal Medicine last. IM is the densest subject. Give it 4–6 weeks minimum.
Ignoring Preventive + Legal Medicine. Day 4 subjects are often underestimated. Highly memorizable and easy to score.
Reading without doing MCQs. Board reviewers matter more than textbooks. Drill MCQs daily.
Skipping full-length mocks. PLE is a 4-day, 1,200-item endurance test.
Overloading on Anatomy details. Board Anatomy is high-yield clinical/embryology, not surgical minutiae.
Confusing local vs. international treatment guidelines. PLE uses Philippine clinical practice guidelines (PSCPC, PHA, PSMID).

Career After Passing PLE

Medical Officer / Moonlighting (post-PLE, pre-residency): PHP 25,000 – PHP 45,000/month
Government DOH Resident (Medical Officer III SG 21): PHP 78,441/month
Private hospital Resident: PHP 30,000 – PHP 55,000/month (year 1)
Fellowship (subspecialty): PHP 60,000 – PHP 110,000/month
Junior Consultant (DOH): PHP 100,000 – PHP 150,000
Private practice specialist (mid-career): PHP 300,000 – PHP 1,500,000
Top surgeons (cardio, neuro, plastic): PHP 1,000,000 – PHP 5,000,000+/month
Overseas physician (USA USMLE, UK GMC, ME, Australia): PHP 500,000 – PHP 3,000,000+/month

Full breakdown across DOH, private hospitals, specialties, and 7 overseas destinations in the 2027 Doctor Salary Guide.

PLE vs. Other Board Exams

vs. Bar Exam: PLE 75–90% passing; Bar 27–43%. But medical training is 8 years vs. 4-year JD. See Bar Exam November 2027 Prep Guide.
vs. CPALE: CPALE 15–30%. See CPALE May 2027 Prep Guide.
vs. NLE: ~65–70%. See NLE November 2027 Prep Guide.
vs. LET: 30–40%. See LET March 2027 Prep Guide.
vs. CELE: 25–40%. See CELE 2027 Prep Guide.

Exam-Day Checklist

Notice of Admission (NOA) printout + 2 valid government-issued IDs
2 black ballpoint pens (Panda or Faber-Castell)
Long brown envelope (some centers require it)
Regular watch (no smartwatch, no phone allowed inside)
Water and light snacks for the break
Sweater or jacket (heavily A/C testing rooms)
Cash for parking, food, transport
PRC-approved attire: white/light-colored shirt with sleeves, no shorts, no slippers
Face mask

Final Tips for PLE November 2027

File your LERIS application at least 3 weeks before the deadline. On Day 3 (Med, Surg, OB-GYN), pace yourself — this is where most reviewees hit peak fatigue. Sleep 8 hours 2 nights before exam. Do NOT cram new material the night before — light re-read of high-yield notes only.

Bookmark the Doctor Salary Guide 2027 for the full career and pay ladder. Keep the PRC Calendar 2027 handy for schedule updates.

Sa mga future MD: matagal na, sulit na. Isang exam na lang. Kaya n’yo ’yan — magkita tayo sa passing list.

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