Did you know the differences between PLAB vs USMLE?
Since these exams have different scopes and are required in different countries, one might be more suitable for you than the other.
The USMLE, or the United States Medical Licensing Exam lets you practise in the US. The PLAB, or Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board lets you practise in the UK.
Here are some differences:
Difficulty:
USMLE:
The USMLE is a tough exam that covers a lot of medical topics. It tests your knowledge and how well you can use it in real-life medical situations, making sure you are ready to practise medicine in the US.
PLAB:
The PLAB is also challenging but is usually seen as easier than the USMLE. It focuses more on your practical clinical skills than on detailed basic science knowledge. The PLAB emphasises handling real-life medical situations.
Process:
USMLE:
Step 1: Tests your basic science knowledge. This is often considered the most challenging part of the USMLE due to the large amount of information covered.
Step 2: Consists of two sub-components:
Clinical Knowledge: Evaluates your clinical knowledge and its application in a medical setting.
Clinical Skills: Tests your clinical skills and patient communication abilities.
Step 3: Focuses on assessing whether you can apply medical knowledge and understanding of biomedical and clinical science necessary for the unsupervised practice as a doctor.
PLAB:
PLAB 1: Theoretical Knowledge. This part tests your understanding of the medical theories and principles you need to know.
PLAB 2: Practical Skills. This part assesses your practical clinical skills and your ability to handle real-life medical scenarios.
Time:
USMLE:
The entire process of completing all three steps of the USMLE can take several years, with a minimum of 1.5 years on average. The duration depends on your preparation, study schedules, and exam availability. Many candidates spend a lot of time preparing for each step to ensure success.
PLAB:
The PLAB process is generally shorter, consisting of two parts and lasts around 1 year on average. However, the overall duration can vary depending on your preparation and the availability of exam dates. This makes it a faster route for many international doctors.
Cost:
USMLE:
The USMLE exam costs around $3,000 (INR 2.5 Lakh) for all three steps.
But realistically, including permits and travels, it’d be close to 18 lakhs.
Read more: https://www.usmlesarthi.com/cost-of-usmle.html
PLAB:
The PLAB exams cost about £1,500 (INR 1.5 Lakh).
But realistically, including travels, it’d be close to 8 lakhs.
Read more: https://roadtouk.com/before-ielts-oet/how-to-plan-funding-for-plab-ielts/
Prospects:
USMLE:
Passing the USMLE will open many doors for you in the US, including residency programs in various specialties. You’ll need it for a medical licence in the US and it can lead to a wide range of medical careers. Success in Steps 1 and 2 allows provisional practice and visa access, while Step 3 provides full licensing.
PLAB:
On the other hand, passing the PLAB lets you enter the UK healthcare system. It offers opportunities for training and practice within the NHS or other UK healthcare settings.
Thus, both the exams have their own set of advantages and disadvantages. So ultimately it depends on you to choose one which feels more aligned to what you want to do.
If you’ve read this far, do try Medlogbook to log your medical experiences. I’ve created this to organise your competencies which could help with moving abroad. You can be better prepared for submitting work evidence, a requirement in most countries for practising.
