 The test is also used in research on foreign language teaching or learning, when a measure of language aptitude is needed as part of the research design.One advantage that the PLAB offers to researchers on second language learning is its availability to them.The PLAB can be used to assess which students may be cognitively ready to study a foreign language in grades 7 and 8 and those students who would benefit from waiting until a later grade to begin foreign language study.