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Introduction

Are you considering taking USMLE or PLAB but are trying to decide which one to go for concerning your budget? This guide will give you a detailed comparative budget breakdown, helping you make this chief decision.

Section 1: Examination

Eligibility

For PLAB, only graduates can take the test, whereas undergraduates can take USMLE in their 3rd year of Med School.

Exam Structure

-IELTS/OET is mandatory for PLAB along with USMLE

Fees Structure

• USMLE

Examination

Electives

Clinical electives must be done in the United States of America; some are free, while some may charge you around $0 to $1,000 depending on college. The total cost will be $1,000 to $ 2,000 for applying to 10-15 colleges.
Additional tuition fees ($500 to $5,000 monthly) will also be charged after confirmation when opting for paid electives.
You can opt for electives while you are already there for USMLE Step 2 CK, saving you money for flight and accommodation.

Pathways Application:

Application to a Pathway for ECFMG Certification for 2024 Match is
$925

Certification Verification Service (CVS):

Verification to State Medical Licensing Authority is $66

• PLAB

PLAB Test Fees:

PLAB 1- £268
PLAB 2- £981

Registration fees for newly qualified doctors:

Application for provisional registration with a license to practice is £25

Application for complete registration with a license to practice is £174

Standard fees to join the medical register:

Application for complete registration with a license to practice for doctors not eligible for the discounted fees above is £455
Application for complete registration with a license to practice for a temporary period for a visiting eminent specialist is £455
Scrutiny fee if your application to join the register is refused, closed or withdrawn is £104

Fixed-term discounts for newly qualified doctors:

Annual retention fee for complete registration with a license to practice is £174
Yearly retention fee for registration without a license to practice is £63

Fees to remain on the medical register:

Yearly retention fee for registration with a license to practice is £455

Yearly retention fee for registration without a license to practice is £163

PLAB Test Cancellation Fees:

PLAB 1 - cancellations over 42 days before the exam is £26.80
PLAB 1 - cancellations 42 days or less before the exam is £268
PLAB 2 - cancellations over 42 days before the exam is £98.10
PLAB 2 - cancellations between 42 and 29 days before the exam is £490.50
PLAB 2 - cancellations 28 days or less before the exam is £981

Section 2: Study Material and Preparation

USMLE and PLAB are competitive and challenging. USMLE focuses mainly on basic medical and clinical knowledge, whereas PLAB focuses more on applying the knowledge in clinical scenarios. To familiarise yourself with the format and for practice purposes, MOCK exams, extensive practice question banks, and study materials are available online.

USMLE

• Books and Online Resources: $1,000 to $1,500
• Prep Courses (optional but recommended): $2,000 to $5,000
• Total: $2,500 to $6,000

PLAB

• Books and Online Resources: £200 to £500
• Prep Courses: £500 to £1,500
• Total: £700 to £2,000

Section 3: Travel and Accommodation

Attempting your USMLE Step 1, Step 2 CK, and PLAB 1 via your preferred testing centres or going to these respective countries to take the test is optional.

For Step 3 and PLAB 2, you must go to their United States and Britain testing centres, respectively.

USMLE

Travelling and accommodation costs vary depending on the location of your testing centre. The price will be around $500 to $2,000.

PLAB

For PLAB 2, the cost of travel and accommodation will be approximately £1,000 to £2,000.

Section 4: Additional Costs

USMLE

• ECFMG Certification: $160
• Visa Fees: Varies depending on the visa type (J-1 or H-1B)
• Application for J-1 Visa Sponsorship: $370 (an additional $220 SEVIS fee is required of initial applicants for J-1 sponsorship)

Residency Application Fees:

• ECFMG Token Fee: $165
• USMLE Transcript Fee: $80

Program Application Fees:

PLAB

• GMC Registration Fee: £161
• Visa Fees: Varies depending on the type of visa required for the UK

Section 5: Career opportunities

Job Opportunities

The United States is a big country and offers many job opportunities. Still, you usually don't secure your desired residency program after passing all the tests, whereas Britain is the contrary. In the United Kingdom, after passing all the exams, you get the GMC registration and have secured a residency. Before that, you must do a 2-year-long internship in the UK.

Residency programs

For the UK, you can't jump directly to residency after graduation as you can in the USA. Instead, you must first do core training as an intern for a few years.

Working Hours

Working hours are great for Britain, as it is 48 hours/week (12 hours call), giving you a much more sustainable work-life balance, whereas the US requires you to work for 80 hours/week (24 hours call).

Salary

The US might be less friendly to residents regarding working hours, but it pays you a lot more, which is $64,000/year, compared to Britain, which is $42,000/year.

Conclusion

USMLE and PLAB both have high costs and require a significant financial investment. You might find USMLE on the costlier side, but it all falls under their long-term pros and cons. You, the aspiring physician, should carefully consider these two pathways, considering your long-term career goals and, of course, your financial situation.

Additional Resources:

For more understanding required in your prime decision-making, the following resources might aid you.

• United States Medical Licensing Examination

https://www.usmle.org/

• General Medical Council

https://www.gmc-uk.og/

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