medical licensing Archives

May 6, 2024December 30, 2024

PLAB Guide 2025

Are you a medical student or doctor seeking opportunities in the UK? The Professional and Linguistics Assessment Board, PLAB, is your ticket to making that dream come true. By taking the PLAB exams, you prove that you have the medical and communication skills required for a doctor hoping to practice medicine in the UK.

PLAB consists of two parts: PLAB 1, a written exam, and PLAB 2, a more practical assessment of your medical knowledge. Just like every medical exam, PLAB can appear daunting, and it doesn’t help that there is so much to know about the exam and so much to prepare for. However, in this article, we’ll be offering a comprehensive guide that will provide you with all the information you need.

Is PLAB Being Replaced With MLA?

For years now, aspiring doctors within and outside the UK have been required to take PLAB before obtaining a medical license. However, the General Medical Council, GMC, introduced a new assessment program, the Medical Licensing Assessment, MLA or UKMLA. With this new assessment in place, all medical students graduating from UK universities are required to take MLA as part of their degree before they can join the medical register. The case is slightly different for international doctors or medical students who hope to practice in the UK.

For foreigners, instead of changing the entire assessment program from PLAB to MLA, the GMC proposed that the PLAB syllabus and requirements become compliant with MLA. So, international applicants will not take MLA but will continue with PLAB, with just a few modifications. This way, both international and UK-trained doctors are assessed based on the same topics and requirements.

So, starting in 2024, the PLAB blueprint will be replaced by the MLA content map. All PLAB 1 tests sat for on and after August 8th, 2024, will be based on the MLA content map, as will all the PLAB 2 tests taken on and after May 17th, 2024.

Click here to find out more about the MLA content map.

What is the PLAB Exam Pattern?

As mentioned above, the PLAB exam is divided into two categories. PLAB 1 is a written multiple-choice exam that consists of 180 questions. The time allotted to this section is 3 hours, and for each question, a short scenario will be painted, followed by a question and five possible options, of which you’ll be required to pick the best answer.

The questions are centered around a wide range of medical topics related to current best practices in the UK. This part of the exam is designed to assess your ability to apply your knowledge to the care of patients. You can see a more detailed breakdown of the questions in our PLAB 1 question bank.

Overall, you’d find that these questions test you under the following domains:

Knowledge, skills, and performance
Safety and Quality
Communication, partnership, and teamwork
Maintenance of trust with the patient

PLAB 1 also tests your medical knowledge under the following categories:

Basic Sciences – i.e., human anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, microbiology, and pathology.
Clinical Sciences – i.e., communication skills, medical ethics, and medical law.
Applied Clinical Sciences – i.e., general practice, specialized medicine, etc. This section assesses your theoretical ability to diagnose, manage, and treat patients in various clinical settings.

PLAB 2 is slightly different. It is a practical objective structured clinical examination, OSCE, which is meant to assess your ability to offer quality medical care in a real-life scenario. You will be presented with 16 scenarios, each lasting eight minutes. These scenarios may be presented in an acute ward or mock consultation. Check out our PLAB 2 question bank to get familiar with past questions.

Both exams are taken separately on different dates, but you need to pass both before being eligible to join the UK medical register.

What are the Requirements for PLAB?

To register for the PLAB exams, you must meet a few essential requirements:

Proof of Medical Degree: You must provide evidence of your medical degree from a recognized medical school. If you’re still studying, you need to submit proof of your current status as a medical student at a recognized institution.
English Proficiency: For non-native English speakers, evidence of your English proficiency is required. This can be demonstrated through exams like IELTS or OET.

For more details about the specific eligibility criteria and documents you need to submit, refer to the official GMC website.

What Are the Dates for the PLAB Exam in 2025?

There are scheduled dates for both PLAB 1 and PLAB 2 throughout the year, and the GMC holds these exams in several locations across the UK and at some overseas locations.

Here are the scheduled dates for PLAB 1 in 2025:

13th February 2025
22nd May 2025
7th August 2025
6th November 2025

Find more about the exam locations here.

PLAB 2 exams are held throughout the year, so you can schedule a date once you’ve gotten your PLAB 1 results. You are advised to schedule a date as early as possible because the demand for PLAB 2 is higher, and the exam is held in only 2 locations, both in Manchester. Click here to find out more about the location of the two clinical assessment centers.

How Much Do Both PLAB Exams Cost?

PLAB exams are a significant financial commitment, so it’s essential to be aware of the fees:

PLAB 1: From April 1, 2025, the fee will be £268.
PLAB 2: From April 1, 2025, the fee will be £981.

Cancellation Fees:

PLAB 1:
- Cancellation more than 42 days before the exam: £26.80 (10% of the fee)
- Cancellation less than 42 days before the exam: 100% of the fee (£268)
PLAB 2:
- Cancellation more than 42 days before the exam: £98.10 (10% of the fee)
- Cancellation between 42 and 28 days before the exam: £490.50 (50% of the fee)
- Cancellation less than 28 days before the exam: 100% of the fee (£981)

Conclusion

While the PLAB exam can feel overwhelming, it is completely achievable with the right preparation. At CanadaQBank, we offer a range of resources to help you pass the PLAB exam on your first try. Whether you’re preparing for PLAB 1 or PLAB 2, our study materials are designed to help you succeed.

Good luck on your journey toward becoming a doctor in the UK!

November 22, 2022May 13, 2024

Everything You Need to Know About the USMLE Exams

The USMLE exams are some of the most important exams a medical student can take. They are required for anyone who wants to become a licensed doctor in the United States. The exams test your knowledge of all things medical, from physiology and pathology to pharmacology and medical ethics.

The USMLE exams are offered in several different locations across the United States, so there is bound to be one that is close to you. And if you do not pass an exam on your first try, don’t worry, you can retest as many times as you need to.

USMLE Step 1: Overview

The USMLE Step 1 is the first of three tests that you will need to take to become a licensed doctor in the United States.

The Step 1 exam is designed to test your knowledge of the basic sciences, including anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, and pathology. It also tests your ability to apply this knowledge to clinical situations.

The test is eight hours long and consists of 280 questions. It is administered in a computer-based format.

You can find more information about the Step 1 exam on the USMLE website.

USMLE Step 2: Overview

The USMLE Step 2 exam is a required exam for all medical students who want to practice medicine in the United States. It is a three-step process that covers basic medical knowledge and skills.

The first step is an online assessment that tests your basic science knowledge.
The second step is a clinical skills exam that tests your ability to apply that knowledge in a clinical setting.
The third step is a Clinical Knowledge exam that tests your understanding of complex medical concepts.

The cost of the USMLE Step 2 exam is $620, and the deadline to register is one month prior to the test date. You must be a licensed medical doctor in order to take the exam.

USMLE Step 3: Overview

The USMLE Step 3 is the final exam in the USMLE sequence. It is a multiple-choice exam that covers all core medical subjects.

The exam is administered in a computer-based format at test centres around the world. It is offered year-round, and results are released within four weeks.

You must pass all three steps of the USMLE in order to receive your medical license. The cost of the Step 3 exam is $395.

How to Become Eligible for the USMLE

In order to become eligible for the USMLE, you must meet certain requirements. You must have completed a course of study at an accredited medical school, and you must have a valid license to practice medicine in the United States.

Additionally, you must be able to demonstrate that you have the knowledge and skills needed to pass the USMLE exams. The best way to do this is to take one of the many prep courses offered by USMLE. You can also take advance of CandaQbank’s services and get access to hundreds of prep materials.

How to Register and Schedule the USMLE

You can register for the USMLE exams by visiting the official website. The website provides all the information you need to know about the exams, including the cost, steps to write the exams, how to become eligible for the exams, and how to schedule and reschedule the exams.

It is important to note that the registration deadlines are pretty strict, so be sure to register well in advance. You don’t want to miss your opportunity to take the USMLE!

How to schedule your USMLE exams

Now that you know what the USMLE is and what it entails, it’s time to learn how to schedule your exams.

The first step is to ensure you are eligible for the exam. Once you qualify, you can schedule your exams through the NBME website.

Keep in mind that you can only schedule your exams up to six months in advance. If you need to reschedule, there is a fee of $75 per exam. Also, make sure you plan your exams accordingly and give yourself enough time to study for them.

Tips for Taking the USMLE

To get the most out of your USMLE experience, follow these tips:

Study hard and review often. The more prepared you are, the better you’ll do on the exam.
Take practice exams to get a sense of what the real exam will be like.
Get plenty of rest and eat healthy foods in the days leading up to the exam.
Arrive at the testing center early so you can relax and get comfortable before starting the exam.
Pace yourself and answer questions accurately and completely.

Conclusion

You need to be completely prepared before scheduling your USMLE exams. This involves understanding the costs, knowing what is expected of you on the exam day, understanding the scoring system and knowing how to prepare. You should also be familiar with the different steps of the USMLE, so you know what is expected of you. It is important to start preparing early and to seek help if you are struggling.

Schedule your exams well in advance and make sure you are familiar with all the rules and regulations, so there are no surprises on exam day. We wish you the best of luck on your journey to becoming a licensed physician!

Prepare for the USMLE with CandaQbank

The USMLE may seem like a difficult exam to pass but with adequate preparation from CanadaQBank, it will be a breeze. The question bank has more than 3,000 simulated MCQs. All the MCQs cover different important areas in USMLE, and the answers all come with detailed explanation to ensure you retain information and thoroughly understand the concepts.

The tests at CanadaQBank are timed to simulate an examination system. What is even better is that you can access this question bank from anywhere in the world at any time. Our question bank is also upgraded and updated with changes in the curriculum and new information to ensure we provide only the best services.

November 1, 2019February 22, 2024

5 Things to Look For when Choosing Question Banks for a Medical Licensing Exam

Thanks to the internet and improvements in technology, you have your choice when it comes to question banks for medical licensing exams. There are dozens of them available, but not all of them are cut from the same cloth, so to speak. Here are five things you should look for when choosing the question bank platform that is right for you.

#1 – Plenty of Questions

When choosing a question bank, it is critical that you find a provider that offers you more than just a few hundred questions. In fact, look for question banks with thousands of questions that allow you to take mock exams numerous times without seeing the same question twice. Better still, make sure that those questions are broken down into categories and topics for easy referencing later.

#2 – Customization Features

Customizing your question bank will give you more study opportunities than ever before. For example, if you understand pharmaceuticals but you struggle with anatomy, you should have the ability to customize your questions to show you only those that you need help with. Similarly, you should be able to choose only questions you haven’t answered, and you should also be able to study in various modes. A timed mode makes your session feel like a real exam while a study or tutor mode is more relaxed.

#3 – Accurate Questions with Answers and Explanations

No question bank will help you pass your medical licensing examination if the questions aren’t broad in scope and accurate. In fact, if you choose a less-than-reputable provider that is not known for its accuracy, you may actually be harming yourself more than helping yourself. Ensuring that each of the thousands of questions available to you has an answer and an explanation will also help drive comprehension and make it easier for you to retain information on test day.

#4 – Accessibility & Community Features

The platform you choose should be highly accessible, and it should also give you access to an entire community of medical students and professionals who want to help each other succeed. Make sure the platform you choose is available not only on your desktop or laptop, but also on your mobile device and/or tablet so you can get some quick studying in from anywhere. You should also look for things like Facebook groups and even YouTube channels that provide you with access to a community.

#5 – Affordable Pricing

Medical students sometimes struggle to maintain their finances throughout school. Even though many have jobs, the amount of time they can work is limited by their need to study. Too many question bank providers require a massive one-time purchase that is well out of many students’ budgets, but others offer budget-friendly subscription options with monthly payments and no long-term contracts. This means you can use the platform only as long as you need it without fear of overpaying.

Choosing a question bank platform may seem overwhelming, but when you take the time to look for these important features, you can rest assured that you are making the right choice. CanadaQBank offers all of these and more to help medical students around the globe succeed.