7 Tips for Passing the PLAB Exam on Your First Attempt
Categories: EDUCATION
The PLAB Part-1
The use of medical knowledge in clinical practise is the focus of PLAB 1. The inquiries are more diagnostic and therapeutic in nature. After spending so much time studying medicine, you will undoubtedly be prepared with the skills required to succeed.
In PLAB 1, you are evaluated on the most fundamental clinical knowledge that you would anticipate from a junior doctor in safe practise. It is not used to separate the intelligent from the average, unlike the USMLE. Just who is safe is being tested; not who is the finest.
Instead of obscure facts that are pleasant to know, the subject matter consists primarily of must-know themes that are relevant to everyday practise. If you did well in your medical school studies, you will have a solid knowledge base to pass PLAB 1! Therefore, if you're thinking about studying for the PLAB while still a student, I'd just advise concentrating on medical school and saving PLAB study for later.
The PLAB Part-2
The objective structured clinical exam, or OSCE, often known as PLAB 2, is a practical test. 16 stations must be completed, each lasting eight minutes with a 90-second "rest" in between. The entire exam lasts 3 hours and 10 minutes.
Throughout the year, PLAB 2 dates are available multiple times per week. It can only be done in the UK, and it typically happens in Manchester at the GMC building. A practical test is PLAB 2. Your clinical expertise, medical knowledge, and—most importantly—communication abilities will all be evaluated. Similar to PLAB 1, the exam covers the typical or significant clinical situations that a junior doctor in the UK at FY2 level would be expected to handle.
The PLAB should not be undervalued even though it is only set at the level of a doctor who has finished their internship. PLAB 2 is really difficult for many IMGs, including myself, thus passing takes the right preparation.
As up to one in three IMGs fail PLAB 2, this is also reflected in the pass rate that is given on their website.
IMGs frequently struggle the most with spoken English communication on the PLAB 2 exam. As these are frequently taught at PLAB 2 academies, many IMGs fall back on memorization of scripts and reciting canned responses. However, these seem forced and disingenuous, and occasionally the comments do not correspond to what the patient has actually spoken. Examiners are able to detect when you aren't actually communicating with the patient and can penalise you for it.
PLAB 2 can be passed with six weeks of concentrated, devoted practise.
This is typically more accurate if you recently completed an internship or medical school. That's because everything is still new to you and your thinking is still quite trainable. It becomes slightly more difficult, but still manageable, if you have worked in one speciality for a while.
Be kind to yourself and give yourself more time to prepare if you are working while preparing for the PLAB, have other commitments like caring for family or children, or are dealing with any health difficulties.
The pressure is on for the practical portion of PLAB 2! Make sure you've practised each situation to the point where your response comes out freely and confidently because you'll have a time limit, a UK consultant evaluating you, and the weight of all your money invested on your shoulders during the exam. Depending on who you ask, you might run through each scenario twice for some folks or up to 20 or more.
It takes meticulous planning and dedication to pass the PLAB (Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board) exam on your first try.
Here are seven ideas to get ahead:
Understand the Exam Format: Learn about the format and subject matter of the PLAB exam. Recognise the various parts, such as Parts 1 and 2, and the kinds of questions you can anticipate. You can then adjust your preparation as necessary.
Create a Study Plan: Create a well-organized study schedule that includes all the required material and allows you ample time to review and practise. Divide the course material into manageable chunks, and allot a set amount of time to each subject. Include frequent revision sessions to solidify your understanding.
Utilize Reliable Study Materials: Use reliable, current study guides that completely cover the PLAB exam syllabus. This could involve using textbooks, internet tools, drills, and practise tests. Consider participating in online forums or study groups where you can interact with other candidates and share knowledge.
Practice Time Management: During the PLAB exam, effective time management is essential. By completing practise questions within the allotted time limitations, work on enhancing your accuracy and speed. To become accustomed to the time limits and learn to successfully prioritise and manage your time, simulate exam-like conditions while you are practising.
Focus on Clinical Skills: Your clinical proficiency and patient communication abilities are assessed in Part 2 of the PLAB exam. Reviewing prevalent medical disorders and how they are treated will help you clinical understanding. By acting out patient scenarios and participating in simulated consultations, you may hone your communication skills.
Take Mock Exams: Mock tests are a great tool to evaluate your readiness and pinpoint your areas of weakness. Utilise the official PLAB practise tests as well as the other internet practise exams. Examine your performance, identify your areas of weakness, and spend more time studying those subjects while modifying your study schedule.
Stay Calm and Confident: It's critical to maintain composure and calm on exam day. Prior to the exam, get a full night's sleep and eat a balanced meal. Have faith in your preparation and confidence in your skills. Keep in mind to thoroughly study the questions and use your time effectively during the exam.
Bonus Tip: Seek Advice and Support: If at all feasible, get in touch with medical professionals who have passed the PLAB exam. They can offer insightful advice based on their personal experiences. Additionally, think about getting assistance from teachers, mentors, or PLAB-specific exam preparation programmes.
Don't merely see PLAB as an exam that you must pass when you study for it. Consider it a chance to get ready for a job in the UK. You'll need to become familiar with UK management standards and typical situations. Due to the differences in national health policies and demography, these can be different from those in your native country.
Everybody has a different learning style, but fortunately, there are many tools available nowadays. Flashcards, question banks, audiobooks, online video courses, and more. This indicates that you do not need to physically attend an academy or school in order to get ready for PLAB 1.
You have 3 hours in PLAB 1 to complete 180 multiple-choice questions, or one minute for each one. And amid the stress of a test, time might pass quickly and leave you asking, "What just happened?!"
It is crucial to replicate the actual exam during your preparation so that you are familiar with how it will be on the day, which will help you stay calm during PLAB 1. I wholeheartedly endorse taking practise tests to aid with this.
In 2024, the UKMLA willtake the place of PLAB.
Currently, PLAB is only available to IMGs. A national licencing exam will no longer be required for UK medical graduates starting in 2024. Both UK graduates and graduates from other countries will be subject to the UK Medical Licencing Assessment.
However, graduates from the EU are not yet required to take any UK licencing tests. The GMC cannot legally require EU graduates to take the next UKMLA, but this may change with Brexit.
The UKMLA is currently unknown to us, although it is most likely comparable to PLAB. If you intend to relocate to the UK, I advise doing it as soon as possible while all the resources are still pertinent to PLAB and the academies are still aware of it.
Keep in mind that passing the PLAB exam involves commitment, tenacity, and constant effort. You can improve your chances of passing on your first try by adhering to these suggestions and maintaining a structured study schedule. Good Luck!