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best books for PLAB exam 2025 2026 preparation
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PLAB 1 PLAB 2 recommended books study resources 2026
Here is a complete guide to the best books and resources for PLAB (now also called UKMLA) preparation in 2026:
Best Books for PLAB 1 (UKMLA AKT)
Important 2026 update: The GMC updated the MLA Content Map in January 2026 with new topics and guidelines. The exam tests clinical judgement based on this blueprint - not just raw knowledge. Traditional textbooks alone are no longer sufficient.
Core Reference Books
| Book | Best For |
|---|---|
| Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine (OHCM) | Quick clinical reference, ward use, core concepts |
| Oxford Handbook of Clinical Specialties | Broader specialty coverage |
| Kumar & Clark's Clinical Medicine | In-depth background knowledge |
| Samson Notes + 1700 Questions PDF | Targeted PLAB revision and clinical concepts |
| 1000 EMQs for PLAB by Moussa Issa | EMQ practice |
How to Actually Use These Books
Books work best alongside question banks - they should not be your only resource. The PLAB 1 format (180 Single Best Answer questions, 3 hours) is heavily practice-based. Candidates who rely only on textbooks tend to underperform.
Best Question Banks & Online Resources (2026)
These are more important than books for PLAB 1:
- PLABable - most trusted platform with daily practice sets, mocks, and analytics
- Passmedicine - widely used, mirrors real exam format closely
- MedRevisions - updated to the 2026 MLA Content Map, includes AI-based tools
- Pastest - another solid Q-bank option
- PLAB1keys.com - popular with Reddit/IMG communities
Best Resources for PLAB 2 (UKMLA OSCE)
PLAB 2 is a 16-station OSCE (8 minutes per station). Books are less relevant here - practice and communication skills matter most:
- Geeky Medics - free OSCE station walkthroughs (excellent)
- Arora Medical Education PLAB 2 Course - highly rated live + online course (batches available Aug-Dec 2026)
- NHS.uk & GMC ethical guidance - essential for consultation/ethics stations
- PLAB 2 Academy courses - for polishing clinical communication
Key Guidelines to Read (Free, Official)
These are tested directly in PLAB and are free:
- NICE Guidelines (nice.org.uk) - UK clinical protocols
- GMC's Good Medical Practice - ethics and professionalism
- BNF (British National Formulary) - drug prescribing (bnf.nice.org.uk)
Suggested Study Timeline
| Duration Available | Approach |
|---|---|
| 3 months | Focus entirely on Q-bank (100-150 Qs/day) + Samson Notes |
| 6 months | Books for first 2 months, Q-bank + mocks for final 4 |
| 9 months | Full textbook grounding + NICE guidelines + heavy Q-bank |
Bottom line: For PLAB 1, the Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine and Samson Notes are the go-to books, but pair them with PLABable or Passmedicine Q-banks. For PLAB 2, skip books and focus on OSCE practice via Geeky Medics and a structured course.
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