Tips to pass PLAB 2

Tips to pass PLAB 2

Now that you have cleared PLAB1 and are aiming to appear for PLAB2, you are wondering how. In retrospection, PLAB 1 probably feels easier- it was a format you were always comfortable with but PLAB2 feels like a different ball game altogether.

You are right! It is.

But sweat not. It is just as doable but planning & knowing how to go about it can definitely boost your confidence and assure you that’ you’ve got it!’

There is no substitute for hard work, of course but you need to not only work hard but also work smart. Time is of value, while preparing and also while appearing in PLAB2 assessment-use it wisely! Here’s how!

Believe in yourself!

Not trying to lend out motivational advice but this truly is the first quintessential step. You are already a doctor- no mean feat, that. You have yet again proved your mettle by clearing PLAB 1. You already  have experience managing patients in your home country. PLAB2 is just another step to demonstrate how you function in your daily clinical practice. So, trust yourself!

Believe that it is not about whether you can do it or not but how you are going to do it!

Choose the right guide

Many candidates wonder why they need an academy for clearing PLAB2 and doubt whether they actually do. It is not that an academy is mandatory  and one can’t clear without it. There are those who have done and continue to. The reason an academy is advisable is that PLAB2 is different and as an IMG, you have no exposure to the format. This sense of unfamiliarity can be overwhelming and impact performance. You have only those few hours within the GMC test centre and confidence matters a lot. The PLAB 2 is also not a cheap exam and offers limited chances, so one needs to weigh the risks prudently. 

Choosing the right academy can make a world of difference. Talk to ex-Plabbers, talk to tutors and try to understand the academy’s approach- then figure out what works for you.

Trust your tutors

Once you choose an academy, trust your choice. The classes may seem longer than what you are used to  but if interactive, time just flies. This is the time to ask questions, look for a practice partner or partners and never hesitate to try out stations in front of an audience- make mistakes in the academy- so you can avoid them during the exam. The study material you receive suffices and overloading yourself with information is best avoided.

The mocks lend you familiarity with the environment of the test centre and help you hone time management skills. Take mocks just as you would take the real test and work on the feedback.

What you learn during the course & the mocks will be helpful even beyond the PLAB2 assessment- it will help you seamlessly settle into practice within the NHS.

Plan your post-course schedule

4-6 weeks between the course and exam are ideal but everyone is different. Some appear for the exam within a few days of the course and do manage to clear. Everyone is different, this is not a race and unless there is a pressing reason to do otherwise, the aforementioned timeline is a safer bet. It also saves you from undue pressure.

Work out your schedule. How would you like to approach?

• Go through the study material once, then practice?
•  Do them both simultaneously?
• Go through study material–> practice the stations–> revise the study material?

No rights or wrongs here!  You are a better judge of what works for you but don’t mug up the study material. Use it as the framework of your consultation.

Practice communication skills in real life

While practice is the key in PLAB2, it is not only about practicing the stations but also about practicing  communication skills. Medicine is the same all over the globe but the way a consultation is conducted may be very different. The language(English) is also probably not the one you use in practice so if you use phrases in the exam that you are not used to in real life, they will come across as artificial and robotic. The best way to inculcate communication skills and make them a natural style of conversation is to practice them in real life conversations outside of PLAB practice as well.

They say it takes 21 days of doing something for it to become a permanent habit, after all! These skills will be helpful even when you start clinical practice in the UK, so why not?

Take time off!

Yes, it may sound preposterous but no matter how packed your schedule is, try to squeeze in off days.

Use them to rejuvenate your mind and body and consider them as rewards for your hard work. Take a day off after the course ends, or when you have gone through the study material and about to start practice or anytime if it feels to get overwhelming. A clear mind functions better. Definitely don’t study on the day of the exam and never ever carry notes to the exam centre. It will just fill you with anxiety when you need to be calm and confident.

And through it all, keep reminding yourself to stay composed!