Are you gearing up for the PLAB Part 1 exam and wondering how to optimize your study strategy?
In this guide, we will be looking at the subject list for PLAB 1 and their weightage. That is how each subject is represented in the whole 18o questions of the PLAB 1 exam.
One of the things you must bear in mind while studying for your PLAB 1 exam is that all subjects are not weighted equally.
Now don’t get this wrong; every subject which is in the PLAB blueprint is important in passing the PLAB 1 exam. As usual, I will advise that you cover all the subject areas you are required to cover before appearing for the exam.
However, understanding the importance of subject weightage is crucial for navigating this milestone with confidence and achieving your goal of passing the PLAB Part 1 exam.
The reason is obvious! If you know that more questions will be coming from subjects like Emergency medicine, Paediatrics, Cardiology Obstetrics and Gynaecology, intuitively, it is expected that you pay more attention to these areas compared to the areas with lesser representation.
So let’s dive into it; the PLAB step 1 subjects and how they are represented in the exam.
Also, Read; Best PLAB 1 Question bank revealed
All PLAB 1 Subjects Weightage:
| S/N | PLAB PART 1 SUBJECTS | WEIGTH |
| 1. | Emergency Medicine | 25 questions |
| 2. | Paediatrics | 20 – 25 questions |
| 3. | Psychiatry | 20 questions |
| 4. | Cardiology | 18 questions |
| 5. | Gastroenterology | 15 – 18 questions |
| 6. | Obstetrics and Gyneacology | 15 questions |
| 7. | General Surgery | 10 -15 Questions |
| 8. | Neurology | 10 – 15 Questions |
| 9. | Respiratory Medicine | 10 -12 Questions |
| 10. | Ear Nose and Throat | 8 – 10 questions |
| 11. | Nephrology | 8 – 10 Questions |
| 12. | Infectious Disease | 8 questions |
| 13. | Pharmacology | 7 – 8 questions |
| 14. | Endocrinology | 6 – 8 Questions |
| 15. | Rheumatology | 5 – 8 questions |
| 16. | Palliative Care | 4 – 8 Questions |
| 17. | Critical Care | 5 – 7 questions |
| 18. | Urology | 4 – 6 questions |
| 19. | Dermatology | 4 – 6 questions |
| 20. | Ophthalmology | 4 – 5 questions |
| 21. | Haematology | 4 – 5 questions |
| 22. | Genetics | 5 questions |
| 23. | Trauma and Orthopaedics | 5 questions |
| 24. | Genitourinary Medicine | 3 – 5 Questions |
| 25. | Ethics | 4 questions |
| 26. | Vascular Surgery | 2 -3 Questions |
| 27. | Anatomy | 3-5 Questions |
| 28. | Epidemiology | 3 – 5 questions |
| 29. | Oncology | 2-3 questions |
Kindly note that there are no exact rules that determine how many questions will show up for each of the PLAB 1 subjects. The General Medical Council reserves the right to put up any question they see fit for the exam as long as it is within the syllabus as listed in the PLAB blueprint.
So the best preparation strategy remains to cover all the topics and know the foundations for every subject and you will be fine at the end of the exam.
Also, Read; How I passed the PLAB 1 Exam (Dr. Usman)
