When registering for the GMC, the step most doctors fear the most is the Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) 2 exam. As you may already know, this is an OSCE-style test that comprises 16 scenarios (of which there are rest stations) in which you have 8 minutes for each scenario. It’s necessary to note that the timer starts when you stand outside the cubicle, so every second counts.
As doctors prepare for the PLAB 2 exam, several questions run through their heads, like “How will I complete a practical procedure or a physical examination in so little time?” However, with several of our doctors at Plab2LastStop successfully passing the exam with excellent marks, you can be reassured that 8 minutes is enough and you will be able to interact with the simulator like it’s just another patient.
In this post, we’ll share 11 tips to help you prepare for and ace the PLAB 2 test.
Is PLAB 2 Difficult?
An OSCE-style exam like PLAB 2 is unarguably a challenging test. Several other factors beyond your clinical knowledge play a role here. So, simply said, yes, the PLAB 2 exam is not a walk in the park. However, if you prepare, practice well, adhere to good medical practice, and be a safe doctor, you will ace your exam excellently.
Is PLAB 2 Difficult?
Tip #1: Understand the Exam
You need to know that the PLAB 2 is not an English exam. Your English has already been tested with IELTS or OET, so don’t complicate things by using big vocabulary.
Also, set aside time to thoroughly search about the test and what is expected of you before you begin your preparation.
Tip #2: Practice
PLAB 2 is majorly about interaction and communication with the patient. So ensure to practice as much as possible and correct mistakes between every practice rather than exhausting too much time reading and memorising your notes. This will help you develop a style for your consultation.
Tip #3: Don't Be Scared of Admitting When You Don't Know What's Happening
One of the biggest concerns for doctors regarding the PLAB 2 exam is not knowing what to do. They have several “what ifs” running through their heads, like, what if I can’t diagnose the patient? What if I can’t remember the dosage of the medication?
But, the reality is that the GMC has examined your medical knowledge during your PLAB 1 test, so they are not concerned with whether you can memorise a particular dosage or medication. Rather, they want to assess how you communicate and interact with patients.
In real life, we frequently encounter medical scenarios that we aren’t sure how to deal with, so don’t be scared to admit when you need help. So long as you’ve done everything you can, such as informing and reassuring the patient, you’ll be okay.
Tip #4: Make It A Two-Way Conversation
During the PLAB exam, several doctors always want to show the examiner how much they know; they want them to see that they are familiar with the disease, possible complications, treatment, and so on. They do this up to the point that it is only them talking, which could be why most of them fail the station.
Always remember that you’re dealing with a human being who may not be familiar with what antibiotic you’re prescribing for their infected wound but will want to know when they can get back to their daily activities. So ensure you have a two-way conversation that allows you to listen to the patient as much as you talk to them.
Ask meaningful and relevant questions to the station, and do not waste time on irrelevant ones. This will help you maintain the time limit and make sure you have addressed all their issues.
Tip #5: Know Where You Are
Adjust your consultation to fit the scenario you’re in. Are you in the medical ward? Or you’re in the A & E? Or are you in the GP surgery? The speed of your consultation will significantly depend on the location of the scenario, so remember this always.
Tip #6: Ensure That The Patient is Comfortable
Before beginning any clinical examination or procedure, ensure that the patient is comfortable, ready, and happy for you to proceed.
Tip #7: Don't Rush
It is effortless to rush things under pressure in a timed test like the PLAB 2, but you should avoid this wherever possible. If you rush through a procedure or an examination, you might not communicate properly with the patient causing you to miss out on essential steps.
Try to keep a steady pace to ensure you’re able to perform the task within the time limit while also communicating well with the patient.
During the PLAB 2 exam, you’ll be given 2 minutes before each station to read the scenario. Use this time wisely to understand the situation and prepare the questions you will ask the patient. You can also implement this when practicing to better grasp the importance of the 2 minutes.
Tip #8: Physical Examination
Because you are already doctors, you often assume those stations where you have to perform a physical examination will be the easiest, right? You think you know how to perform them since you’ve already performed them with real patients.
Unluckily, this is not always the case because the style of clinical examination in the United Kingdom can be very different from what you’re used to. It will help greatly to register for our PLAB 2 course and mock examinations, as they will show you what to do and how to communicate with the patient while performing a physical exam.
Tip #9: Do Not Memorise The Scripts
The questions on the test day may differ from those you have memorised; thus, approaching a station with preconceived answers will only make you sound irrelevant, placing you at the risk of failing.
Also, when practising, you may frequently create a fake persona for the test that doesn’t reflect who you are. Sometimes, this can cause you to be perceived as inauthentic, so try your best to be your real self.
Tip #10: Find Practice Buddies
Though this may seem obvious, regular practice is crucial to passing the PLAB 2. Practising with a timer enables you to refine your clinical skills to ensure you’re able to carry out all the key steps of an examination or procedure within 8 minutes.
Also, since you’ll be facing 16 to 18 patients on the day of your test, it is beneficial to practice with different people. It will help relieve the anxiety of talking to various people. A great approach to this is to find a group of fellow doctors planning to take the exam and practice your consultation skills with one another.
At Plab2LastStop, we work with a small group of doctors to provide interactive learning, individual focus, and overall improvement so they can pass the PLAB exam in one sitting.
Tip #11: It's Just Another Day At Work
Finally, the best tip is to consider the PLAB 2 like it’s just another day at the clinic. This mindset can help you quickly build a rapport with the patients and interact more naturally with them.
Always remind yourself that you’re a doctor, you know what you’re doing, and you will be fine.
Are You Preparing To Sit For The PLAB 2 Test?
To help make the PLAB journey easier, Plab2LastStop offers a PLAB 2 Online Course, including high-quality lectures and recordings taught by experienced UK doctors, some of who passed the test on their first attempt and others after several attempts.
This intensive instructor-led training programme covers the highest yield topics and scenarios present in PLAB 2, including history taking, management, diagnosis, communication and counseling stations, and practical skills. With this, you can prepare for PLAB 2 at your pace and from anywhere in the world