Almost everything in PLAB comes from a small number of public sources. Learn to use them and you rarely need to pay for anything else.
| Source | What it is | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| GMC: PLAB pages and sample questions | The regulator that sets and runs the exams | Exam format, fees, rules, booking, sample questions, and Good Medical Practice |
| NICE guidelines | National evidence-based guidance for England (widely followed across the UK) | First-line management of nearly every common condition in PLAB 1 |
| NICE CKS (Clinical Knowledge Summaries) | Short, practical summaries for primary care | Quick revision of presentation, red flags, management and referral |
| BNF | The national formulary | Doses, interactions, contraindications, prescribing in pregnancy and renal impairment |
| SIGN | Scottish guidelines | Where it differs from NICE, especially in asthma and respiratory disease |
| Resuscitation Council UK | Resuscitation algorithms | ALS, anaphylaxis and choking algorithms |
| NHS website and patient information | Plain-English explanations for patients | Learning the words to use when explaining to patients in PLAB 2 |
| Royal Colleges | Specialty standards and exams | Your later career, and some clinical guidance |
How to use them well
- Read the guideline’s recommendations and its flowcharts, not every page.
- Write a one-line “first-line, then second-line” summary for each condition.
- Check the date: guidance is updated, and older books and videos may be wrong.
- Use the NHS website to practise explaining a condition in plain words.
General education, reviewed 24 October 2026. Guidance changes: confirm with the official sources. Not medical, legal or immigration advice.