PLAB 1 asks you what a UK doctor should do next. Two free references answer most of those questions: NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries (CKS) and the British National Formulary (BNF).
NICE CKS
- Short, topic-by-topic summaries written for primary care: definition, presentation, red flags, investigations, management and referral.
- Ideal for quick revision of common conditions after a missed question.
- Each page links to the full NICE guidance and states how recently it was reviewed.
The BNF
- The national reference for medicines: indications, doses, contraindications, interactions and cautions in pregnancy, breastfeeding, renal and liver impairment.
- Learn how to look things up quickly, as you will do every day in a UK job.
- Do not memorise whole doses. Learn the first-line drugs for common conditions, and the safety rules around them.
| Question type | Go to |
|---|---|
| “What is first-line management of…?” | NICE guideline or CKS |
| “Which drug is contraindicated…?” | BNF |
| “Which action is safest next?” | ABCDE and local escalation; see the ABCDE approach |
For a map from topic to guideline see the guidelines to learn, and for the wider list of sources see official sources. The same material supports high-yield revision.
Related guides
General education, reviewed 24 October 2026. Guidance changes: confirm with the official sources. Not medical, legal or immigration advice.