SOURCES (USED BY ME)

1. Dr. Mo Sobhy (online class + academy with 2 mocks) 

2. NHS website

3. Aspire notes

4. Dr. Elseidy videos 

5. Dr. Zara's mock 

6. Dr. Aman Arora's audio file

7. Dr. Rabia Nur

1. Dr. Mo Sobhy academy: (Online + Academy = 500 pounds)

One thing is for sure, the man has insane passion towards teaching. Due to personal circumstances I spent 2 months at the academy. I took the online classes (videos). I have to say that the structures he gives are the best! Its simple, easy to remember and helps you to be organised. I completed 30% of the videos before reaching the academy 

- Pros: Dr. Mo comes everyday without fail to the academy. The examination, procedure, teaching and simman classes are taught by the tutors who I have to say are amazing! They make everything so simple to understand and remember. The best one is the simman class!

Another good thing about this academy is the Asda right next to it! Asda is a huge supermarket where you can get all the necessary supplies for daily needs and most importantly food!

The most unique and useful thing this academy has to offer is the ghalabba mocks! These happen twice a week. For those who don't know, it's a setting where the doctors prepare a set of cases (mostly the recalls) and come to the academy. Then they are made to sit in a loop, one candidate faced in front of the other. A plab 2 timer is played, each candidate gives one case to the opposite person and vice versa. Then once the 8 min bell rings, you get 2 mins for feedback and then move on to the next person and repeat. Throughout the day you complete around 30 cases. The plus points are that you get different feedbacks, practice with all kinds of people and also simultaneously revise your structures. To utilise ghalabba to the max, it's best if you could prepare atleast 10 cases that you find it difficult so that you can give it to the opposite person and learn from them.

Their academy mocks were also very well organised. 16 cases similar to the main exam. Sometimes the simulators go overboard with the acting and are also strict with the marking. I can't say they are similar to the main exam but they were really beneficial.

- Now the cons: The mannequins were all torn and there was too much assuming as we were not provided enough supplies. It was very difficult to simulate the real exam scenario with the worn out mannequins. Apparently he got new ones, you will have to book before hand and go as a group to practice (not sure about this as I left before this happened). There is a lot of confusion with prescriptions in this academy. I am not sure if it's the same everywhere but honestly no one, literally no one knew what is the right answer to majority of the prescription questions.

The pros outweigh the cons. Can always pay for extra mock and simmans at another academy. But the learning portion - the vast majority can be done here.

- My advise: Whichever academy you choose, make sure to utilise it as much as possible. People are really friendly and everyone is in the same boat. As Dr. MO says, do parachuting, which is basically just join random groups and practice or listen to them do stations. I found it like a family, loved the people there. So supportive and caring!

2. NHS website: (Free)

- This was really useful for learning management. I highly advise to refer to this website. It will help you to learn how to communicate management in a simple way for the patient to understand.

- It provides a lot of Dos and Don’ts which is very important to convey to the patient at Junior doctor level.

3. Aspire notes: (A friend who passed gave me his notes)

- I only did the counselling and ethics portion of aspire notes. To be honest, the notes provide information to equip you to answer patients concerns but it lacks organisation and IPS. They are very bland and blunt. So you have to develop your own structure and ips and incorporate it. 

4. Dr. Elseidy videos: (150 pounds)

- Famous for his mind maps. He explains every case in around 8mins with a mind map. The mind maps are really helpful as they are concise and easy to learn from. 

- I only watched counselling and ethics videos. I didn't have time to cover the rest. I have to say they were really useful. He has really good ips and communication skills. He focuses on teaching how to maintain a two way conversation. 

- He also hosts free mocks on Sundays, which were super useful. Check his Facebook group to be updated: https://www.facebook.com/groups/218755990086216/?ref=share

5. Dr. Zara's Mock: (80 pounds) 

- Dr. Zara takes online mocks, 10 cases for 80 pounds. 

- She is a really good simulator and very professional with her mock. She notes down where you lack and gives you input on where to improve. 

- It's not necessary at all but it helped me improve my confidence. 

- No matter what mock you take online/offline, the exam experience is very different. It's the stress/anxiety/mental fatigue that forces you to make mistakes. If you can control your nerves you will do well! 

6. Aman Arora's IPS cases audio file: (49 pounds) 

- It helped to learn lots of natural stock phrases. He focuses on being a natural doctor but to be frank I couldn't be natural at sweet talking or at being very empathetic. So I did what majority do, by-hearted the phrases and used them at appropriate times in the station. The audio file can be found in telegram pages.

- I met him in person as well! He is so chriasmatic and full of positive energy. Very down to earth person. 

7. Dr. Rabia Nur: (not sure)

- She has a 10 day course covering the 100 most important plab 2 stations. 

- I didn't opt for her course but got to a chance to read some pointers from a friend who wrote notes from her classes. It helped me to revise quickly. 

- If interested go for it but I suggest either choosing Dr. Elseidy or Dr. Rabia. Both are almost similar but Elseidy has videos of all the cases including prescription and simman.

Thank you for reading :)

If any doubts, feel free to reach out.