Coming from AKU, PLAB 2 or the OSCE is not entirely new to us, as it is for other candidates. You re marked the same way as in AKU. The examiners have a checklist for certain questions/steps. As long as you do those, even if you don’t know the diagnosis you get a pass for that station. There is a video recording of the exam on the GMC site if anyone wishes to view it.
WHAT BOOKS TO USE?
There are several available in the market. Make sure you bring them from Pakistan as they cost a bomb here.
Must Have: PLAB 2 by J Kulkarni
It is the basic book used by most PLAB candidates. It s in point format and pretty handy for histories and differential diagnosis.
Seven Sisters Plab Notes
Paragraph format. Was highly recommended by few people I knew. Found it a bit boring. Though, I used it for the counselling section, especially surgical/operative counselling.
Plab 2 Made Easy
Thin Book. Bought it but never used it. Skimmed through it ………….. and I thought it was pretty good.
Good feedback about:
The London Notes for PLAB 2
Someone I knew gave the OSCE twice. Said they passed the second time because of these notes. The trouble is nobody knows where to get hold of them. Don’t think they are in Pakistan yet.
Yasir Notes for PLAB 2 Written by a Khyber Medical College Grad
Sold in the Peshawar Medical Book stores, I’ve heard. It s basically a copy of the Seven Sisters, with additional explanatory paragraphs, pathophysiology etc.
Not necessary at all. Just don’t get intimidated by all the khyberians dishing out extra info because of these notes.
PRACTICE GROUPS
Reading these books by oneself, is the most boring job in the whole world. So make sure after the initial skim through, you have a practice group to discuss with. The ideal size is three
We had a group of four which worked out just as well. Sometimes, we had visitors dropping in which was good in a way as we got a different point of view. Of course, you had to be careful and know the good advice from bad.
PLAB 2 COURSES
A couple of years ago I heard you could do very well without these. I’m not saying they are absolutely essential, but still highly, highly recommended, for the following reasons:
I took Fehmida’s course, which is gaining popularity. It s good, the cheapest available, and carried out in a very friendly, down to earth atmosphere. Their mannequins are rented for a one day crash course, though. So that means, you can’t practice on them anytime you want.However, you can find out when they re being rented again and drop by to practice. Accommodation available.
Details: www.easyexamltd.com
MMC (Madras Medical College) Run by a guy called Mohan. One of the first PLAB 2 centres in East Ham. Plus point, have their own mannequins, available for use 24hrs. They re a bit mutilated though. Pass rate for candidates is pretty good. Accommodation available.
Details: http://www.avispero.com/plab/about.html
PLABMASTER: Very popular and high-tech with online access to courses and lectures etc. Expensive, large group, classes carried out in a big hall. Difficult to get individual attention here. Plus point is, you don’t have to pay the entire amount before taking the course. You can pay after you find a job, which I’ve heard they help you out with (not sure about this). And you can take the course as many times as you want, if you fail (God forbid), until you pass the exam.
Details: www.plabmaster.com
LATEST OSCES ONLINE: An excellent site to keep up-to-date with the OSCE scenarios. Some Allah ka banda from each exam updates it. It s important to keep an eye on the OSCEs last 3-4 months before your exam. As with all exams, they get repeated. Some of the comments are pretty weird and not very decent but as long as you get feedback, that’s all you re concerned with.
Details: www.mcqs.com
Go to CHAT FORUMS – then PLAB2
You‘ll come across a whole list of things. Need to click on the exam date and venue to get the scenarios, for example:
21st August 2003 Royal Free Hospital
This is just basic information you need. Specific questions can be answered through email. Hope it’s useful! Good luck with everything……….
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