Since the vast majority of the study resources you'll need are free, you can complete the entire PLAB 1 preparation on your own. Given that, Facebook is a large and convenient forum for discussing any questions you might have and contributing your ideas
How do I prepare for PLAB 1?
What books do I study?
Where can I get free PLAB materials from?
Disclaimer: None of the notes, documents, or other materials I'm sharing here were put together by me. I have made an effort to recognize those who put in the effort and made it accessible to us. I hope they get excellent results!
Is the PLAB 1 exam hard?
PLAB 1 is not a simple task. Yes, there are question banks and free resources everywhere, but do not underestimate the importance of preparation by assuming that questions will be identical to those found in previous exams or recalls. Always comprehending why the other four choices in the list are not the solution is the goal of preparation.
There are Facebook groups like:
Forum for International Doctors in the UK
PLAB Part 1 Preparation forumThe main goal of joining a Facebook group is to make good use of your time and, if necessary, to get any questions you may have answered.
How to use a Facebook community efficiently
Never, in my view, casually peruse through the posts or questions that people have posted. That is not focused learning. You require the 1700 Questions in order to use a group successfully.
What are the 1700 questions?
This QBank is from a previous PLAB 1 exam. Many Plabbers have examined this collection of questions from the year 1700, and some of them have organized the questions according to their own requirements, with their own justifications
- Dr. Khalid Saifullah is the author of the first. The questions were compiled, organised, and explained by him; subsequently, others took over his initiative. Read Dr. Khalid Saifullah's explanation of THE UPDATED UNCATEGORIZED 1700s (August 2018 edition).
- The same questions and answers as above are also included in a categorised version created by PLABZILLAS, which is broken down into the appropriate parts. The categorised 1700s PLABZILLAS can be downloaded.
- A Skype group by the name of Unity also created "Sush Unity," which is a collection of 1700 questions organised by topic and supported by original research. Download SUSH UNITY combined 1700s. Here you will also find the separate systems of SUSH Unity.
- Another PLAB 1 question bank, which includes questions and answers from PLABABLE and is available offline for free, might also be of interest to you. That is very simple to discover online. "Subjectwise PLAB Doable" is a search term. After you've finished your preparation with the 1700s, that can also help you get ready. I should point out that everything in this collection was created by serially copy-pasting information from the OHCM and other textbook sources, as well as Dr. Khalid Saifullah's 1700s work.
If you're having difficulty downloading files from MEGA on your phone, I recommend opening the desktop site in any standalone browser, such as Chrome, Firefox, or Internet Explorer. To obtain from MEGA on your phone using the Chrome browser, click here
Will perusing the 1700 questions and their explanations be enough for me to pass?
Does GMC exactly repeat these questions?
Yes and No.
Although they don't precisely repeat, the themes of the questions are very similar. The best method to answer these questions is to comprehend why the other four options are incorrect rather than memorizing the answer right away. Utilize as many question banks as you can, and follow a rigorous study schedule to make sure you have time to go over everything
Books for PLAB 1
Sometimes the answers won't answer your questions or satiate your curiosity. The Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine and the Oxford Handbook of Clinical Specialities can be useful in this situation. In my view, the former more so than the latter. You don't have to understand everything from these texts. But if you can develop the habit of researching subjects that are related to the questions, you will realise that you have read a significant portion of this book by the time your preparation is over. But resist the urge to squeeze everything in. These ought to be your only go-to resource when you have a query. If you still have questions, consult online resources like Patient Info or NICE guidelines.
To help you get a general idea of the subjects covered in the exam, GMC has also given a Blueprint. The blueprint will outline the topics that will be covered in part 1's questions, but it won't outline the specific questions or situations you will encounter on exam day.
Notes for PLAB 1
Again, these training methods—Qbank solving and reference books—might seem like two extremes. What lies in the centre? The Notes for PLAB 1 are now available. Even though I read it in 2014, I found it useful for a fast review.
Additionally, ECG for PLAB 1 may assist you in getting ready with the pertinent queries.
Disclaimer: None of the notes, documents, or other materials I'm sharing here were put together by me. I have made an effort to recognize those who put in the effort and made it accessible to us. I hope they get excellent results!
Mocks for PLAB 1
The mocks are yet another helpful element. You can use these practise exams to evaluate your testing readiness.
CLINCHERS are the last but not least. These facts have been shortened for speedy evaluation. Locate them here.
How long does it take to prepare for PLAB 1?
As I've already mentioned, the best method to get ready is through focused study based on qbank solving. The absolute WORST way to approach it, in my view, is to jump right in with the intention of finishing the entire Oxford Handbook. Because MCQ exams are not the reason for which the books were written.
Anyone should be able to complete their initial comprehensive preparation in no more than one and a half months. If you are employed, I advise setting a deadline for the first rewrite of two months. And while you're at it, here's a great tip: mark the questions you believe need to be repeated. Even though it may feel like you are marking every question at first, marking does help. I even ended up marking 10 to 15 questions in a run.
You can essentially do it again in one month if the first time took you 1.5 months. And a third time, even less since you should get in the habit of going over the problems that were marked. After completing the qbanks, you should take mock examinations to assess your performance. But keep in mind that the practice exams are NOT indicative of the actual test. The purpose of the mock exams is to practice sitting still while answering several questions in a row. The questions are smaller than those on the actual exam.
Therefore, if you take it carefully, you can easily finish getting ready for PLAB 1 in 3–4 months. It differs from person to person because everyone studies at a different pace.
- Learn the questions, the answers, and the reasoning behind the incorrect answers from the qbanks.
- Don't try to memorise the answers in a hurry.
- Make a schedule for how many questions you will answer each day, etc.
- Before the exam, give yourself enough time to review thoroughly, and use the reference books if you need clarification.
- Organize your time by taking practice tests in exam-like conditions just before the real thing (ie time yourself, be in a quiet room, etc).
What I can expect the day of PLAB 1 exam?
The PLAB 1 exam is a computer-marked written multiple choice exam that uses single best answer questions (SBAs), as was already mentioned. Every question begins with a brief scenario, which is then followed by the query, such as "What is the one most likely diagnosis?" Out of the five options, A to E, you must select the correct one.
To summarize,
As was already mentioned, the length of preparation depends on your own planning and pace. But keep in mind to check off the subsequent actions:
Time period: 45 days.
Join the appropriate groups to prepare for PLAB 1 now.
Even if no one responds to your question, you can always search the group's discussion area; perhaps there was a discussion about the same topic years ago.
Download the 1700 Qbank and any relevant documents.
By now, you are aware of what is what and what you need from the aforementioned post.
Establish a daily question goal.
According to how many days you spend on preparation, it varies. You should go through the qbanks at least twice, in my opinion.
Mark the questions you believe need further consideration.
When you are reviewing, this one easy habit will spare you countless hours of going over simple questions.
Look up the citations
Don't put too much stock in the qbank's key or explanation. Never hesitate or be too lazy to look something up in a reference book like the Oxford Handbooks if you are even the slightest bit unsure.
Please check our blog on Expectations for the PLAB 1 and PLAB 2
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