Kindly Embrace yourself for a long post.
Preparation Timeline and Sources Used:
I took more than 6 months to prepare for my PLAB 1 examination which is more than the usual prep timing, because my exams got cancelled twice before I was able to give them in September. I stuck to Plabable for my basic preparation, it made up my foundation for all the subjects and from their I built up on my knowledge using other sources like medrevisions, but I would recommend on extra sources only if one has more time in their hands like I did. It's good to stick to Plabable and even better to start making your own prep notes, which can come in really handy when one is revising just before exams, especially of the topics which is volatile and needs more revisions.
Preparation Strategy:
It's good to pick a group of people who are equally dedicated as you are for zoom sessions to discuss mcqs or plabkeys . That way one will never feel left out or scared, because there always will be people to support you.
Once I was done with the mcqs from Plabable, which make sure you do at least twice before exams, it was time to expand the mcq base, that's when I came across Dr Shawn's Plabnation mocks. They were really helpful, especially the zoom sessions after every mock where each question was broken down and explained in detail. Before exams we even took few hours out to discuss Samson mock questions over a zoom session, but what I felt was most helpful was to go through recalls of previous years at least twice before exams, because a lot of questions could be repeated in the exams.This is also something I would suggest to do it over zoom session, as it consumes less time as compared to when done alone as it can get monotonous. It also helps boost up your confidence as you would be able to answer most of these questions. Make sure to note down the new questions from recalls and go through them again.
Last Day's Of Preparation:
Towards the end, I gave myself 10 days to go through Plabable again, the questions which I had gotten wrong before, and all the flagged questions from my plabable mocks.
2 days before exams, all I did was, go through my own notes, topics which I was weak in.
Throughout my preparation, every time I gave a mock test was on the same time as my exam was scheduled on. I always clocked myself to try and finish the mock in under 2 and half hours . Also used OMR sheets for my mocks, just like the ones used in exams. This helped me in managing my time even in exams. Another thing which I found really helpful in saving time was that, I read question from down, read what they were asking at the end and then shift to the scenario given ,this helped me in understanding what I was asked while I read the whole scenario.
ADVICE:
Revision is the key. Everyone has gloomy days with self doubts, at times like that its okay to take a day off from your preparation and then come back strong and ready to hustle again even stronger. It's a journey, and we have to keep at it till the very end.
All the very Best 👍