Choosing the right Q-bank is one of the highest-leverage decisions in PLAB 1 preparation. The wrong choice wastes money and — more importantly — months of study time on questions that do not reflect the current exam. The right combination covers exam-volume practice, adaptive weakness targeting, and guideline-grounded explanations.
This comparison evaluates each Q-bank on the criteria that actually matter: MLA content map alignment, question count, explanation quality, adaptive features, pricing, and clinical reference integration.
PLABable
PLABable is the most popular PLAB-specific Q-bank among IMG candidates. It offers a large pool of PLAB-targeted questions with detailed explanations, community discussion for each question, and performance tracking.
Question count: 2,500+ PLAB-specific questions. The pool is regularly updated to reflect MLA alignment.
MLA alignment: Updated for the post-August 2024 curriculum. Covers the expanded condition list and longer vignette-style questions that the MLA-aligned exam uses.
Explanation quality: Detailed explanations with clinical reasoning. Community discussion adds peer perspectives, though these should be treated as supplementary rather than authoritative.
Adaptive features: Basic performance tracking and topic filtering. Does not use AI-driven spaced repetition or personalised weakness targeting.
Pricing: Approximately £30-50 for 3-6 month access. Among the most affordable options.
Best for: IMG candidates wanting a large, affordable, PLAB-specific question pool with strong community support. The go-to primary Q-bank for most PLAB candidates.
MedRevisions
MedRevisions provides PLAB 1 preparation with SBA questions, topic-based revision notes, and mock exams. It has a loyal following among PLAB candidates, particularly those who value integrated revision notes alongside questions.
Question count: 1,500+ PLAB-targeted questions with associated revision notes.
MLA alignment: Updated to reflect the MLA content map. Covers the expanded syllabus.
Explanation quality: Good explanations with integrated revision notes that provide context beyond the individual question. Useful for candidates who want to study a topic and test themselves in the same platform.
Adaptive features: Topic-based filtering and performance tracking. Limited adaptive capability compared to AI-driven platforms.
Pricing: Approximately £30-60 for 3-6 month access.
Best for: Candidates who prefer integrated notes and questions in a single platform. Those who want structured revision material alongside their Q-bank practice.
Pastest
Pastest is one of the longest-established UK postgraduate exam preparation platforms, covering PLAB, MRCP, MRCGP, and other examinations. It has a reputation for high-quality, expert-written questions with detailed explanations.
Question count: 1,800+ questions relevant to PLAB preparation. The broader Pastest library covers material that overlaps with PLAB content areas.
MLA alignment: Pastest has updated its content for the MLA curriculum. The question style reflects the longer vignette format.
Explanation quality: Among the strongest in the market. Explanations are written by senior clinicians and teach the underlying clinical reasoning, not just the correct answer. This depth of explanation is Pastest's key differentiator.
Adaptive features: Revision mode, timed tests, and performance analytics. More sophisticated than basic filtering but not AI-driven adaptive learning.
Pricing: Approximately £50-100 for 3-6 month access. The premium end of the market, reflecting the explanation quality.
Best for: Candidates who prioritise explanation depth and quality over raw question volume. Those who want to understand the clinical reasoning behind every answer.
Quesmed
Quesmed provides an all-in-one platform combining Q-bank, revision notes, video content, and OSCE preparation material. It covers PLAB, UKMLA, PSA, and other UK medical exams within a single subscription.
Question count: Growing PLAB-relevant question pool. The platform's strength is breadth across multiple exam types rather than depth in PLAB specifically.
MLA alignment: Strong MLA alignment — the platform was built with the MLA content map as a core curriculum reference.
Explanation quality: Good explanations integrated with revision notes and video content. The multi-format approach suits visual and text-based learners.
Adaptive features: Learning mode that adapts to performance. More sophisticated than basic platforms but not full AI-driven spaced repetition.
Pricing: Approximately £60-100 for 6-12 month access. The multi-exam coverage provides value if you plan to use it for PLAB 2 preparation as well.
Best for: Candidates who want a single platform covering PLAB 1, PLAB 2/OSCE preparation, and potentially other UK exams. Those who value video content alongside traditional Q-bank questions.
iatroX Q-Bank
iatroX takes a fundamentally different approach. It is free, uses AI-driven adaptive spaced repetition mapped to the MLA content map, and integrates clinical reference directly into the learning workflow.
Question count: Growing question bank mapped to UKMLA/PLAB, MRCGP, USMLE, MCCQE, and AMC curricula.
MLA alignment: Built on the MLA content map. Questions are mapped to the curriculum and updated for the 2026 exam.
Explanation quality: Every explanation is grounded in NICE, CKS, SIGN, and BNF — the authoritative UK guidelines. When you get a question wrong, Ask iatroX provides instant guideline verification with a citation link. This is the critical differentiator: you do not just learn the answer; you learn the guideline behind it.
Adaptive features: The strongest in this comparison. AI-driven spaced repetition automatically resurfaces incorrectly answered questions at scientifically optimal intervals, targeting your weaknesses without manual topic selection. The algorithm ensures knowledge retention over weeks and months, not just hours.
Pricing: Completely free. No subscription, no trial period, no paywall. Available on web, iOS, and Android.
Additional features: Brainstorm for clinical reasoning practice. Knowledge Centre for structured guideline browsing. CPD module for professional development documentation. UKCA-marked and MHRA-registered.
Best for: Every PLAB candidate — as a free complement to their primary paid Q-bank. The adaptive spaced repetition targets weaknesses that fixed-order Q-banks miss. The guideline-grounded explanations teach UK clinical practice, not just exam answers.
The Recommended Combination
No single Q-bank is sufficient on its own. The strongest preparation combines two complementary tools:
Primary Q-bank (paid): PLABable (for volume and community at the best price), Pastest (for explanation quality), or Quesmed (for multi-exam coverage). Choose one based on your budget and learning preference.
Adaptive layer (free): iatroX Q-Bank. Run daily alongside your primary Q-bank. The spaced repetition algorithm will automatically target your weakest areas — the topics your primary Q-bank reveals as gaps but does not adaptively revisit.
Guideline verification (free): Ask iatroX. Every time you get a question wrong in any Q-bank, verify the correct answer against the UK guideline. This builds the habit of checking authoritative sources — a habit that will serve you throughout your clinical career.
The paid Q-bank provides exam-volume practice. iatroX provides adaptive precision and guideline grounding. Together, they cover everything the MLA-aligned PLAB 1 demands.