Personal Experiences
Mastering PLAB 2: A Comprehensive Guide to Securing 16/16 Stations
Congratulations on successfully clearing PLAB 1! As you prepare for PLAB 2, this guide will provide you with detailed, step-by-step advice to help you excel in this clinical exam. PLAB 2 is designed to assess your ability to handle real-life scenarios as a doctor, focusing on patient-centered care, effective communication, and structured clinical skills. With dedication, the right strategy, and smart preparation, you can achieve success in all 16 stations.
Where to Begin: Understanding PLAB 2
Before diving into preparation, spend at least 2 weeks understanding what PLAB 2 entails. Familiarize yourself with the structure of the exam, the skills being assessed, and the key expectations. PLAB 2 is not about memorizing scripts but about responding naturally and effectively to various clinical scenarios.
Resources to Get Started
• Ankur’s Guide for PLAB 2 (YouTube Video): Watch Here
• Free Academy Webinars: Many academies offer introductory sessions on YouTube that explain the exam format and provide valuable insights.
• Dr FAHAD’S UKMLA group on telegram with free videos on introduction
Do not rush into memorizing scripts or revising aimlessly especially ALL DAYS. PLAB 2 is about being patient-centered and adaptable. Over-relying on scripts can lead to a robotic approach, derailing your performance in key domains like interpersonal skills (IPS) and management. Instead, focus on building a solid structure for each scenario, backed by natural communication skills.
Booking Your Exam
For effective preparation, aim for:
• 3 months of home-based practice (including online academy sessions and self-study)
• 4 weeks of intensive practice in a UK academy, especially for simulated mannequin stations (Simman) ,clinical examinations, procedures and mock exams.
If you’re working full-time, plan for 4-5 months of preparation at a slower pace. Remember, this exam is an investment in your career, and thorough preparation will determine your success—there’s no luck involved.
Selecting the Right Academy
The Truth About Academies: What You Really Need for PLAB 2 Success
Many candidates preparing for PLAB 2 often fall into the trap of over-relying on academies, thinking they are the only way to pass. Let’s address this misconception:
Academies are not your savior; they are merely tools. While they market themselves as essential for success, the truth is that practice, not academies, guarantees your performance on exam day. The idea that “you can’t pass without an academy” is a myth. What truly matters is understanding the structure, mastering key scenarios, and consistent practice with effective feedback.
Lovaan’s Masterclass: A Game-Changer
If you’re looking for impactful guidance, I can recommend Lovaan’s Masterclass. Often regarded as the gold standard for PLAB 2 preparation, this 5-day course is laser-focused, efficient, and transformational.
• What sets it apart?
o It’s taught by an expert with deep insights into the PLAB 2 exam—often referred to as the “God of PLAB 2.”
o The masterclass provides updated notes, highlights recent scenario trends, and focuses on building patient-centered communication skills that align perfectly with exam expectations.
Even if your exam is months away, take the masterclass early. Why? Lovaan’s’ sessions are designed to provide clarity on the structure and nuances of PLAB 2, setting a solid foundation for your preparation. For example, a session scheduled for October 10–15 may target candidates sitting for exams in December, but the concepts and guidance remain equally relevant for those appearing in February. Closer to your exam, you can attend their revision classes, which focus on newly introduced scenarios and fine-tuning your performance.
Supplementing Lovaan’s with DSR Academy Mocks
While I attended the Lovaan’s Masterclass, I found additional value in DSR Academy by Dr. Aala, specifically for its mock exams. The notes provided by Lovaans and DSR are nearly identical, so I opted for mock access AND practice area access rather than the full DSR course. This saved money while giving me access to some of the best mock exam simulations.
Why are DSR Academy mocks so effective?
• The mocks replicate the real PLAB 2 exam environment, complete with cubicles, experienced examiners, and stringent marking criteria.
• The aim is to challenge you rigorously, so you learn from your mistakes and polish your skills.
• Each mock is followed by detailed individual feedback, helping you identify weak areas and improve them effectively.
Taking at least two DSR mocks before the exam is highly recommended. It ensures that when you step into the actual exam, it feels like just another practice session, boosting your confidence.
Practice Over Reliance on Academies
While academies provide structure, your success hinges on self-directed practice. Most academies hand out scripts, which can lead to robotic answers, detracting from the patient-centered approach that PLAB 2 demands. Scripts do not teach adaptability, and the GMC examiners often tweak scenarios slightly, requiring you to think on your feet.
Final Thoughts on Choosing Academies
The right approach is not about selecting the “best” academy—it’s about using available resources wisely. Attend Lovaans Masterclass for foundational insights, utilize free online resources, and invest in a few well-structured mocks, like those offered by DSR Academy. Pair this with consistent practice, focusing on clinical skills, communication, and empathy, and you’ll be well-prepared to ace PLAB 2.
Remember, the real magic lies in your dedication, practice, and ability to remain calm and patient-centered under pressure. No academy can substitute for that.
3 Months Before the Exam: Structured Preparation
3 MONTHS BEFORE EXAM IN YOUR HOME COUNTRY
Now you have Dr. Lovaans’ blue notes with you, MO Shoby’s UKMLA PDF, and everything else required. Now we focus on what to do every day.
MAKE A SCHEDULE WITH SMART STUDY
But before that, keep one thing very clear in your mind—instill it before you regret it when you are in the UK. 80% of people regret this, and that is considering PLAB 2 as a PLAB 1 theory-based exam. They shut themselves in a room with dozens of scripts around them and start memorizing them for 3 months. They may be too good at it, but when they come to the UK and realize that memory won’t help in this CLINICAL SPOKEN EXAM, their morale goes down, their memory fades away, their confidence shatters, and they regret not practicing from day one.
Hence, first things first: join PLAB 2 groups from PLAB Forum and find at least 3 study partners, preferably from different nationalities, so your listening and speaking skills improve. Make a schedule with them, adjust your timings, and practice daily for at least 2 hours. Whatever scenarios you have studied in the morning, practice them. NEVER SKIP A PRACTICE DAY. You might feel, “Let me first get a good grip on things, memorize all the notes, and then practice,” but time will rush through, leaving behind only regret.
The schedule I used was based on cracking months of recalls to understand the pattern that works 80% of the time (there is no 100% guarantee for anything, sunshine!).
EVERY DAY THERE WILL BE:
1- STRUCTURED QUESTIONS (BBN, ANGRY PATIENT, COLLEAGUE, MEDICAL ERROR, ABUSE & SG, LGBT, SUSPECTED CANCERS)
2- COMBINED STATIONS (History + examination of ABDOMEN, TESTES, EYE, ENT, BREAST, PROSTATE)
3- TEACHING SCENARIOS
4- SIMMAN
5- PSYCHIATRY
6- DERMATOLOGY
7- PEDIATRICS
8- GYNECOLOGY
9- PRESCRIPTIONS (Do one daily and repeat. Just get orientation from the AZT PDF attached.)
The topics above are common in recalls, so get a good grasp of them to secure at least 11-12/16 stations. Master one scenario from each daily, perfecting it. Know how to add emotions and make natural statements that you use daily in clinical practice.
Apart from that, there are systemic topics like CVS, CNS, RESP, NEURO, and others. You can see these in MO Shoby’s index and study them from Lovaans’ notes, Dr. Aala’s notes, and MO Shoby’s PDF. REMEMBER TO MAKE YOUR OWN STRUCTURES on how you will approach each scenario. NEVER just memorize the scripts; understand their format and tailor them in a way that’s comfortable for you. Thousands of students study the same notes, but what makes you stand out is how naturally you speak and how well you reflect on the patient’s statements. THIS EXAM IS NOT ABOUT HOW WELL YOU KNOW THE MANAGEMENT OF DISEASES BUT HOW WELL YOU ADDRESS THE PATIENT’S CONCERNS. IT’S ALL ABOUT BEING PATIENT-CENTERED.
Continue practicing daily and aim to finish all topic scenarios. Focus on the last 3 months of recall scenarios for each topic, and keep practicing.
TIPS AND TRICKS TO IMPROVE IN ALL 3 DOMAINS:
1ST HISTORY TAKING
2ND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS (IPS)
3RD MANAGEMENT
A) TIME MANAGEMENT
Remember, it’s a race against time and nerves. You need to finish the RELEVANT history, maintain IPS, and complete the management. Never rush to finish the script; your relevant history and IPS will already get you 6+ marks in a scenario. Always practice with a timer—7 minutes for the station and 1 minute for reading the scenario. Ideally, you should be at the management phase by the 2-minute warning bell. If not, DON’T RUSH.
B) EXPLAINING THE MANAGEMENT
Most doctors make the mistake of dumping all the information they know about a disease. For example, in a migraine case, if the patient fears it might be a brain tumor, and you ignore their concern and give a detailed explanation of migraine treatment, you’ll fail. Management is more about explaining why it isn’t a brain tumor and reassuring the patient while addressing their red flags and concerns. Remember, YOUR KNOWLEDGE HAS ALREADY BEEN TESTED. Keep it simple and patient-focused.
Another common mistake is not including the patient’s views. For instance, in a suspected ectopic pregnancy, you may tell the patient to go to the hospital immediately via ambulance, start explaining hospital procedures, and run out of time. Unfortunately, you’ll fail if you haven’t asked the patient if they’re okay with the referral. Management is about convincing the patient and addressing their concerns.
C) INTERPERSONAL SKILLS
This can only be perfected with repeated practice. Don’t copy others’ statements; make your own, which will feel natural. Aman Arora’s IPS videos on YouTube are a fantastic resource and helped me immensely. IPS is about more than saying, “I understand it must be hard for you.” Your tone, expression, and empathy must match the patient’s situation.Make your own phrases for every reaction and 3-4 alternates because you don’t want to repeat the same thing again and sound scripted. If you ignore non-verbal cues like pain or distress, your IPS score will drop.
D) HISTORY TAKING
Skip irrelevant history. The notes/scripts cover everything, but you must extract what’s relevant to the scenario. Frameworks like SOCRATES ODPARA MAFTOSA, FMAM, DESA, and ICE are helpful but shouldn’t be overused. Don’t forget to rule out red flags—they’re critical! As Dr. Lovaan says, your history-taking must be flawless. If you’re struggling to remember frameworks like SOCRATES or ODIPARA, reconsider your preparation—don’t waste your time or money coming to the UK without confidence in these skills.
E) PRESCRIPTIONS
Practice one prescription daily. The same scenarios often repeat with minor adjustments. Use BNF and GMC sample papers to build familiarity and avoid panicking on exam day.
F) SIMMAN
Master the algorithms. Use Dr. Aala’s SimMan notes and practice on a pillow while using Resusmonitor website to display and change vitals accordingly. Be familiar with the crash cart. Key steps include:
• A & B: Check airway → chest (breathing).
• CIRCULATION: Check pulse, secure IV, request ECG.
• DEFORMITY & EXPOSURE: Check GCS, pupils, temperature, abdomen, private areas, and legs.
4 Weeks Before the Exam: Intensive Practice in the UK
4 Weeks Before the Exam in the UK
Whatever academy you have joined, make sure to make the most of it. Do not isolate yourself or stay locked in your room—even if you are an introvert, this exam demands effective communication and strong interpersonal skills.
Plan your schedule so that you take your first mock exam as soon as you arrive in the UK. This will serve as a drill to assess your current skill level. Don’t worry if you fail your first mock—this is common and part of the learning process. Schedule a second mock exam two weeks later to evaluate your progress, and a third grand mock four days before the exam. Mock exams are invaluable because they simulate the real exam environment, helping to reduce anxiety and prepare you for the day.
Daily Routine
- Start your day by practicing two prescriptions in your room. This helps reinforce prescription-writing skills and builds consistency.
- Attend your academy sessions daily, focusing on recalls from the last month to cover most of the syllabus. For remaining systemic topics, practice independently.
Key Topics to Focus On
- Structured Questions: Breaking bad news (BBN), angry patients, colleague issues, medical errors, abuse and safeguarding (SG), LGBT, and suspected cancers.
- Combined Stations: History and examinations for abdomen, testes, eye, ENT, breast, and prostate.
- Teaching Scenarios/Procedures.
- SimMan Scenarios.
- Psychiatry.
- Dermatology.
- Pediatrics.
- Gynecology.
Feedback and Revision
During your practice:
• Note down your mistakes after each session and identify specific areas for improvement.
• As a partner/examiner, observe and document your study partner’s mistakes as well.
• Discuss feedback daily to explore ways to improve, ensuring a collaborative and productive practice environment.
At night, revisit all the mistakes you made earlier in the day and review the topics you plan to practice the next day. This cycle of practice and reflection will solidify your learning and ensure steady progress.
Final Reminder
While maintaining a rigorous study schedule, it’s equally important to make time to enjoy your stay in the UK. Explore the local culture, unwind, and relax—especially on weekends. Taking breaks will not only keep you refreshed but also help you stay motivated and focused during your preparation.
Remember, this journey is not just about hard work; it’s also about finding balance. Trust in your preparation, embrace the challenges, and remind yourself of your capabilities. You’ve come this far because you are skilled and dedicated. Believe in yourself and your ability to succeed.
DR. ALAMGIR ASLAM KHAN