Prepping for any medical exam requires time, dedication and, of course, the right revision resources at your fingertips. Two of the most popular platforms out there - especially when it comes to big exams like PLAB (Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board) and the new and evolving UKMLA (UK Medical Licensing Assessment).

For both of these exams (and many more for Pastest!), both Pastest and Plabable are key players in the medical revision space, but their approaches, strengths, and individual features differ in several key ways.

Let’s dive into each platform in a little more detail…

The differences between Pastest and Plabable

Both Pastest and Plabable offer valuable tools to make studying for your medical exams easier, but each platform caters to slightly different learning preferences and needs - so you may find that one is more suited to you than the other.

Let’s dive into the main differences between the two, so you can find the right revision resource for you.

 

Pastest

Pastest is a well-known and highly regarded platform for medical revision resources across a number of specialities - from UCAT entry exams into medical school all the way through to MRCGP for budding general practitioners - we’ve established ourselves as a go-to medical education resource. 

But back to medical candidates… Our approach to revision goes way beyond the standard question banks, because we appreciate that not everyone learns in the same way, and we want to ensure you retain the information for the long run!

 

Extensive question bank

But while we’re on the subject… Our question banks are pretty impressive, if we do say so ourselves. Our MCQs are continuously being refreshed and updated, and have been designed to mirror the style - and difficulty - of the exams themselves. And rather than a simple question and answer format, each one will come with a detailed explanation so your knowledge and understanding can be enhanced and improved - the learning never stops!

These Expanded Explanations contain sub-sections so you can navigate to the information you need quickly and easily, including Topic Overview, Clinical Presentation, Differential Diagnosis, Diagnosis/Investigation, Management, Prognosis and External Links.

As an example, for the PLAB 1 Exam Format, our resource contains more than 3,500 questions in Single Best Answer format. 

 

Multimedia learning

Like we said earlier, we understand that not everyone learns in the same way, which is why we offer more than just text-based questions. For so many of our courses, we offer video lectures that break down complex topics or anatomy demonstrations, and interactive OSCE stations for practical aspects of examinations where necessary. 

This area is where we really excel, because we offer a huge variety of interactive learning options including…

• Video lectures - Rather than just static presentations, our video lectures will often feature experienced doctors and educators who break down complex medical topics, go into detail on pathophysiology, and illustrate clinical management principles. For those who thrive on visual and auditory elements to enhance their learning, you may find your information retention and recall greatly improved. 

• Anatomy demonstrations - Being able to visualise anatomical structures is a key skill for medical professionals. Our revision resources often include detailed explanations of anatomy, helping to reinforce your understanding of the human body, and recall these details in a clinical context. 

• Interactive OSCE stations - Many medical exams will often come with a practical element - such as the PLAB Part 2 and UKMLA Clinical and Professional Skills Assessment. Our resources for both these exams include interactive OSCE scenarios that allow you to practice your approach to different stations, gaining hands-on experience in areas such as history taking, physical examination, communication skills, and clinical reasoning to help build confidence and refine your practical skills.

Structured learning

We understand that it can be tricky to stay on top of everything when it comes to studying, which is why we’re big fans of organising our revision content into modules to help provide you with a more structured approach. These pathways help provide a sense of direction and structure, helping you move through topics in a systematic manner. If you prefer a guided learning experience, you may find this super helpful, especially if you want to avoid feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information often involved.

Performance tracking

Here at Pastest, we’re particularly proud of this one. Our revision tools provide you with real-time insights into your progress and performance as you move through the revision modules. This includes detailed analytics and the ability to pinpoint your strengths and weaknesses, so you can focus your valuable revision time where it matters the most.

Plabable

Plabable has soared in popularity in recent years, and has gained traction for its highly targeted approach that specifically caters to the PLAB Part 1 and new UKMLA exams. Their strength lies in their focused and efficient approach to revision…

High-yield question bank

According to Plabable, their question bank contains over 4,500 questions, which they claim have been meticulously crafted to reflect the exact content and style of the UKMLA and PLAB exams. They have received a huge amount of positive feedback for the relevance and accuracy of their questions. 

Exam-oriented approach

Everything you’ll find on Plabable has been designed towards helping you achieve that all-important ‘pass’ in your PLAB and UKMLA exams. Passing goes far beyond simply remembering and regurgitating the material, it also involves being able to not only survive but thrive under exam conditions. 

The Plabable platform has been designed to simulate the exam environment, and helps you develop and practice effective test-taking strategies. 

Community

Plabable has a strong focus on fostering a sense of community among its users, providing platforms for discussion and peer support. This can include forums or discussion boards where students can interact with one another, ask and answer questions, and learn from each other’s experiences - an often invaluable and underappreciated element during challenging exam periods. 

While you may prefer to go at your revision alone, some people may greatly benefit from this support and encouragement from others!

How to decide between Pastest and Plabable

What is your preferred learning style?

How you best absorb and retain information will have a huge impact on the best revision platform for you. If you find that you learn best through video lectures or detailed explanations - you may identify as a visual or auditory learner who benefits from seeing and/or hearing things broken down thoroughly - then Pastest may be the best choice for you. Our multimedia approach to learning can provide a far deeper understanding of difficult and complex topics. 

On the other hand, if you prefer a more direct, question-focused approach with specific answers - which may mean you’re a reading or writing learner who absorbs information through questions and key facts - then Plabable might be your preferred platform. They focus on high-yield practice and targeted explanations of concepts in order to get you exam-ready.

Budget

Subscription costs can vary, so consider which platform aligns with what you are able to commit financially to your revision. 

Time

How far in advance are you preparing for your exams? If you have more time to prepare - perhaps you’re planning ahead - and would prefer a more comprehensive and structured approach to learning, you may prefer Pastest. On the other hand, if time is of the essence, the efficient and high-yield approach of Plabable might be more appealing. 

Practical preparation

If you find that your confidence is lacking in the practical parts of the exams, then Pastest explicitly offers OSCE training resources to help hone and refine these crucial skills. 

 

Key differences at a glance

Ultimately, both Pastest and Plabable are valuable revision tools for doctors preparing for a number of different exams, including PLAB and UKMLA. Your preference depends on the type of learning materials you prepare, and the type of approach you take towards your learning. Before you make any final decisions and commit to a particular platform, explore both as much as possible, as friends and coworkers, and check out demonstrations, trials and reviews online.