Pay attention to any clinical findings from investigations already given in instructions. Performing a ‘head to toe’ indicates you’re not sure and trying to cover all bases.

You will usually be asked for a ‘focused’ or ‘relevant’ history and/or examination. Time is of the essence when tasks must be done in eight minutes. Focus your examination and stay ‘relevant’ If you miss the purpose of the task, you won’t receive marks.Ģ. It could be formulation, discussing differential diagnoses, thinking about risk factors or assessing capacity. We’ll be looking at your ability from a range of perspectives, not just getting a diagnosis and creating a management plan. Use it to understand and plan the steps logically. Here are some of the tips I found most useful in successfully passing PLAB 2, from the perspective of an examin- er who was once an examin- ee.Īt every station, you have around 90 seconds to read the question. Looking back, I recall the advice I received when preparing for my exam. Now, alongside my clinical practice, I act as an examiner assessing candidates for their PLAB 2 examination. With much preparation and anticipation, I passed, and in 2003 I moved to the UK where I have practised for nearly 20 years.

When I applied to practise in the UK, I had six months of senior residency and a year of private practice under my belt. Put simply, I was a very experienced psychiatrist, now needing to revise basic medical competencies to pass PLAB and work in the UK. I know this pressure all too well: I was a candidate almost two decades ago.Īfter qualifying in India in 1997, I worked in psychiatry. If unsuccessful, a doctor’s UK career can be delayed by months, and in some cases the dream may be over for good. Travel, accommodation, and visas are all expensive arrangements to make.

There is hard work in preparing for the exam, and logistics to consider. Passing the PLAB 2 examination is a huge milestone in the career of an overseas doctor – and the stakes are high. Here, PLAB 2 examiner, Consultant Psychiatrist, and previous PLAB candidate Professor Nandini Chakraborty shares her experience and top tips on how to succeed on the day. The PLAB exam is in two parts, the second of which – PLAB 2 – is run by the GMC and is a series of practical scenarios, called ‘stations’, to test doctors and ensure they are competent and able to treat patients safely. Most doctors who qualified outside the UK and EEA have to pass a rigorous test of their skills before they can get a licence to practise medicine in the UK.

Doctors in training step 2 2016