How to Prepare for Any Medical Licensing Exam: Proven Resources

Introduction: Why Resources Matter in Medical Licensing Prep

Medical licensing exams are the gateway to becoming a certified medical practitioner across the globe. Whether you're preparing for the USMLE in the United States, the PLAB in the UK, the MCCQE in Canada, or other region-specific tests like the FMGE in India or the AMC exam in Australia, one thing is universal: the right resources can make or break your preparation.

Choosing the best prep tools isn’t just about finding what’s popular—it’s about finding what aligns with your learning style, your timeline, and your test format. This guide breaks down the top resources—books, apps, courses, and strategies—that have consistently helped medical students and graduates ace their licensing exams.

Section 1: Understanding the Medical Licensing Exam Landscape

Before diving into resources, let’s clarify which exams we’re talking about:

• USMLE: United States Medical Licensing Examination (Steps 1, 2 CK, 3)
• PLAB: Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (UK)
• MCCQE: Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (Parts I & II)
• FMGE: Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (India)
• AMC Exams: Australian Medical Council Exams (AMC MCQ & Clinical)
• NZREX: New Zealand Registration Examination
• NCLEX: For nursing professionals
• IELTS/OET: Required for English proficiency in most countries

Each has different structures, clinical scenarios, and question formats—but many foundational principles overlap. That’s why cross-applicable resources are often a smart choice.

Section 2: Best Universal Resources for All Medical Licensing Exams

1. First Aid for the USMLE Step 1

• Why It’s Great: It’s the gold standard for Step 1, and its concise bullet-point summaries are loved worldwide—even by non-US exam takers.
• Best For: USMLE, PLAB, MCCQE, AMC MCQ
• Pro Tip: Use this as a master review book after you've gone through systems-based content.

2. UWorld Question Bank

• Why It’s Great: Considered the best Qbank for USMLE and excellent for concept application.
• Best For: USMLE (Steps 1 & 2 CK), PLAB, MCCQE, AMC
• Bonus: Has detailed explanations that help with integrated learning.

3. AMBOSS

• Why It’s Great: Combines a question bank with an integrated medical library.
• Best For: USMLE, MCCQE, FMGE, AMC
• Cool Feature: Clinical reasoning-based questions and its "highlight mode" during study.

4. Anki (Spaced Repetition Flashcards)

• Why It’s Great: Keeps high-yield facts in your long-term memory.
• Best For: Everyone—especially when using pre-made decks like “Zanki” or “Lightyear.”

5. Online MedEd

• Why It’s Great: Excellent video lectures for clinical subjects and reasoning.
• Best For: USMLE Step 2 CK, MCCQE, AMC Clinical

Section 3: Exam-Specific Resource Recommendations

A. USMLE (United States)

• Kaplan Books: Great for foundational understanding.
• Pathoma: Gold standard for pathology.
• Sketchy Medical: Perfect for microbiology, pharmacology, and biochem mnemonics.
• NBME Practice Exams: Mimic the real exam style and difficulty.

B. PLAB (United Kingdom)

• PLABable: Top resource tailored for PLAB 1 with clinical MCQs.
• Samson’s Notes: Detailed and useful for both parts.
• PLAB 2 Academy Courses: Useful for hands-on preparation and mock OSCEs.

C. MCCQE (Canada)

• Toronto Notes: Comprehensive and clinically focused.
• CanadaQBank: Tailored for MCCQE-style questions.
• UWorld & AMBOSS: Excellent supplements.

D. FMGE (India)

• Dr. Najeeb Lectures: Foundational understanding of basic sciences.
• Prepladder or Marrow: Indian apps designed for FMGE/NEET PG.
• FMGE Solutions by Deepak Marwah: Focused book specifically for the exam.

E. AMC Exams (Australia)

• AMC Handbook of Multiple Choice Questions
• AMC Clinical Handbook
• Eduscope International: AMC-focused coaching.

F. NZREX (New Zealand)

• UWorld: Still one of the best question banks.
• PLAB 2 OSCE guides: Many NZREX candidates reuse these as the exam style is similar.
• Auckland-based prep courses: Consider practical coaching for clinical skills.

Section 4: Digital Platforms and Apps Worth Investing In

1. Lecturio

• Offers in-depth video lectures, quizzes, and USMLE-focused curriculum.
• Has a strong pharmacology and pathology section with spaced repetition.

2. Pastest

• UK-focused but useful for PLAB, MRCP, and clinical reasoning.
• Ideal for PLAB 1 and UK-based questions.

3. Medscape & UpToDate

• Great for keeping up with current clinical guidelines.
• Good reference when studying controversial or evolving topics.

4. BRS Books (Board Review Series)

• Especially good for physiology, pathology, and behavioral science.

Section 5: Strategic Study Plans

1. 6–12 Month Strategy

• Ideal for Step 1, FMGE, AMC, MCCQE.
• Start with comprehensive learning (videos + textbooks), transition to Qbanks, then review with First Aid + flashcards.

2. Crash Plan (3 Months or Less)

• Focus on high-yield topics.
• Do question banks daily.
• Revise from First Aid and attempt full-length mock exams.

3. For Clinical Exams (PLAB 2, NZREX, AMC Clinical)

• Join a prep center if possible.
• Practice OSCEs with peers.
• Use role-play apps and videos.

Section 6: Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Over-reliance on passive reading: Switch to active recall as early as possible.
• Skipping Qbanks: Practice is non-negotiable.
• Ignoring clinical skills (for OSCE-style exams): Practical exams need real-time rehearsals.
• Burnout: Take care of your mental health. Use techniques like the Pomodoro method or active rest.

Section 7: Bonus – Free or Low-Cost Resources

• Dr. Najeeb YouTube: Free foundational content.
• AnkiHub: Access community decks for free.
• Reddit forums (e.g., r/step1, r/PLAB, r/medicalschoolanki): Peer advice and support.
• MedBullet: USMLE-focused outlines and questions.
• Geeky Medics: OSCE-focused tutorials.

Conclusion: Match Your Tools to Your Goals

The best resource is the one you’ll use consistently. What works for someone else might not work for you—but by exploring these trusted platforms, question banks, and strategies, you’ll be better equipped to design a plan that suits your learning style and exam goals.

Remember: consistency beats intensity when it comes to licensing exams. Combine the best tools, stick to a routine, and adjust when necessary. You don’t need to study more—you need to study smarter.