NEET PG or USMLE/PLAB: Pros and Cons for Medical Graduates

Many medical graduates are confused to choose between NEET PG or USMLE/PLAB. However, it is important to choose the right postgraduate plan that will shape their future and help them in making a difference in the field of medical profession. For the medical graduates, the journey does not end with just a MBBS Degree. 

There are majorly two pathways thereafter. One is the prominent NEET PG, which is the pathway for pursuing medical specialization in India, whereas the other one is USMLE ,by which, you can practice medicine in the US and the other way is PLAB which will grant you permission to practice in the UK. 

What is the NEET PG and USMLE and PLAB exam?

NEET PG is a postgraduate medical examination conducted in INDIA by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) for examining the eligibility and knowledge of medical graduates for admissions to various MD (Doctor of Medicine), MS (Master of Surgery), PG Diploma, and DNB (Diplomate of National Board). This exam is conducted by NBE (National Board of Examinations). NEET PG is known for its rigorous and tough competition and is a crucial examination deciding the future of doctors who are aspiring to pursue their specialization in India.

USMLE stands for United States Medical Licensing Examination. It is conducted in three steps to access the clinical skills of the medical graduates. It is sponsored by FSmb (Federation of state medical boards) and NBME (National Board of Medical Examiners). 

The USMLE examination has three steps:
 

Step 1: Assess the foundational medical science knowledge of the doctors obtained during their graduation degree.
Step 2:
CK (Clinical Knowledge): This step examines the clinical knowledge and understanding of clinical subjects and whether the examinee can apply the vital concepts in the field of medicine and during patient care.
CS (Clinical Skills): This step examines the student’s ability to apply medical skills, the knowledge of clinical science, gather information from patients' condition, communicate with them and perform examinations.

Step 3: This step finalizes whether the candidate can apply their medical knowledge and understanding of biomedical science essential for the practice of medicine. 

PLAB (Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board) exam is the pathway for the International Medical Graduates to showcase their skills and knowledge to pursue medicine in the UK. It is conducted by the General Medical Council of the United Kingdom. 

All you need to know about NEET PG:

Eligibility Criteria:

Medical students, studying in India, completed their MBBS degree as per the IMC (Indian Medical Council) Act and having the MBBS Registration Certificate issued by the Indian Medical Council or State Medical Council, and completed one year of mandatory internship during their MBBS, are eligible to give the exam.

However, the candidates who are citizens of India but have pursued their MBBS from any foreign medical college, must appear for the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE). They must be registered under the IMC or state medical council and must have served their one year of internship. After that, they can appear for their NEET PG exam.
 

Exam Format:

• It is an online (computer based exam). 
• It has 200 MCQ questions and the time limit is 3.5 hours (210 minutes).
• +4 is allotted for correct answers and -1 for each incorrect response.
• No marks allotted for unattempted questions.
• There are 5 sections of questions, with each section having 40 questions, with a time span of 42 minutes. That respective part will be submitted automatically once the time period is over.
   

Syllabus:

The syllabus consists of the subjects recommended by the Graduate Medical Education Regulations issued by the Medical Council of India. The subjects are Biochemistry, Anatomy, Pathology, Microbiology,  Physiology, Forensic Medicine, Pharmacology, Preventive and Social Medicine, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, Radiology, Anesthesiology, General Surgery, Psychiatry, General Medicine, Orthopaedics, Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Otorhinolaryngology. 
 

Pros:

• You don’t have to spend extra thousands or lakhs for traveling to foreign countries as this exam is conducted in India.
• The exam is conducted in English language, so it is an additional benefit for some students.
• You will earn a high reputation after your post graduate degree.
   

Cons:

• You have to study a lot harder to grab a seat in your dream college as the competition in NEET PG is very high.

All you need to know about USMLE:

Eligibility Criteria:

To appear for the step 1 and step 2 CK, the medical students must fall in any one of the categories below.

• Must be a graduate of an US or Canadian Medical School and must have a MD Degree, accredited by the Liaison
  Committee on Medical Education (LCME).
• The candidates should be enrolled in or must hold a graduation from U.S. Medical School, and must have a DO degree, accredited by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA).
• To be eligible, you should be a present college going student or must hold a graduation from the medical school located outside the U.S. or Canada. The school must be recognised in the World Directory of Medical Schools as meeting the standards set by the ECFMG (Educational Commission for Foreign Graduates).
   

To appear for step 3:

• The candidates must have passed step 1 and step 2 CK and obtain passing scores.
• The students must have an MD or a DO degree from an LCME or COCA - accredited US or Canadian medical school. If the candidate has an equivalent MD Degree from an International Medical School that meets the ECFMG eligibility requirements and is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools can also apply for step 3.
• Meet all the eligibility requirements mentioned in the USMLE official website.
   

Exam Syllabus: 

• Step 1 includes subjects like microbiology, pathology, biochemistry, anatomy, physiology, behavioral sciences, pharmacology, genetics, cell biology, and nutrition. This step tests the knowledge of the students obtained during their graduation. 
• Step 2 CK includes topics such as obstetrics and gynaecology, internal medicine, paediatrics, surgery, preventive medicine, psychiatry.
• Step 3 exam is based on general topics and concepts of general medicine essential to understand the vast domain of medical science during post graduation. 
   

Pros:

• Post Graduation in the U.S. has a top-notch quality of medical training.
• Better work-life balance and working hours in residency.
• Provides better research opportunities and lack of corruption.
   

Cons:

• Staying away from family and friends can be tough and stress you out unimaginably.
• It is a long struggle, you need to get visas for electives, residency, then struggle to get a green card and citizenship. Money is a huge factor in this scenario.
• Unpredictable and harsh weather conditions that might be difficult to adjust.
   

Pros of PLAB:

• This exam is specifically designed to test the knowledge of students essential to practice medicine in the UK.
• Costs associated with the PLAB exam are lower than the USMLE.
• PLAB has two parts, PLAB 1 and PLAB 2, thus easier than the 3 step USMLE exam.
   

Cons of PLAB:

• This exam is identified in the UK only, so it might limit your opportunities to practice in other countries.
• The PLAB exam is required for practicing medicine in the UK, but it does not have the same role in the residency application process as the USMLE does in the US.