As this is the first step, without which you cannot even apply for PLAB, a lot of people have been worried about how to prepare for IELTS and get the required band. Here are a few tips and materials I used for my prep that might help you guys. What do you need for prep? 1) Information for candidates booklet – this is provided to you when you register. It is very important that you go through it. It will make you aware of what to expect in the exam. 2) IELTS Target Band 7 – this is one amazing book that I came across while preparing for IELTS. It has all the tips and tricks you need to ace your exam. Give this book a good read and apply the tips when you practice. You should be able to get this book easily in a pdf format if you google it. 3) Cambridge Practice Test for IELTS series – these books are really good for practice. As they are from Cambridge, the pattern is exactly the same as it is in the exam so you get the feel of the real thing with this book
The first thing everyone will ask is why do an FY2 LAT post for 1 year when you can get foundation competencies easily signed by working for 3 months or even from your experience back home. Well, let me list the pros and cons of joining FY2 LAT post. All of this information is not hearsay but from my own experience of working in an FY2 LAT post (2016-17). So I would recommend, if you have a chance go for it and you will see the difference. PROS: - access to e-portfolio - protected (bleep free) teaching time once a week (great learning, classes on sutures, chest drains, catheterisation and every common topic you can think of) - Educational and Clinical Supervisor - Seniors treat you differently as a trainee i.e you get more support with your short comings, help with your career goals, encouraging you to utilise study leaves for courses, etc - rotational post giving you a good experience of working in both medical and surgical specialties, which makes you a good junior do