What PLAB 2 neurology stations cover

Neurology stations in PLAB 2 cover headaches, fits, weakness and dizziness. They test whether you can localise the problem from the history, screen for red flags such as stroke or meningitis, and explain investigations and management simply.

Topics you can practise in these stations include:

  • Sudden severe headache
  • Ongoing chest-wall pain after shingles
  • Headache
  • Headache with visual aura
  • Recurring headache around periods
  • Wife's sudden weakness and slurred speech
  • Transient facial droop and slurred speech
  • Mini-stroke (TIA)
  • Difficulty walking
  • Driving after repeated mini-strokes
  • Seizure in a young man
  • Recurrent seizures on treatment
  • Epilepsy review after recent seizures
  • First-time seizure

How to approach a neurology station

Let the history localise the lesion. Characterise onset, progression and associated features, screen for the red flags below, and explain investigations such as imaging in plain English.

The underlying structure is the same as any PLAB 2 station: greet and confirm identity, explore the patient's ideas, concerns and expectations early, take a focused history, screen for the red flags below, explain your thinking in plain English, and agree a shared plan with clear safety-netting. See the free PLAB 2 preparation guide for the full study plan.

Red flags to screen for in neurology stations

Examiners reward candidates who actively screen for what must not be missed. In neurology stations, the key red flags include:

  • Thunderclap headache (subarachnoid haemorrhage)
  • Sudden focal weakness or speech disturbance (stroke)
  • Headache with fever, neck stiffness or photophobia (meningitis)
  • First seizure or a seizure that will not stop
  • New headache with scalp tenderness in the over-50s (giant cell arteritis)

Skills these stations test

The 34 neurology stations break down by skill type as:

  • History and management 16
  • History red flags 9
  • Counselling 8
  • History and risk assessment 1

All 34 free neurology stations

Every station below is free. Click one to sit it as an eight-minute spoken consultation, then get your mark-scheme breakdown.

History and management 16

History red flags 9

Counselling 8

History and risk assessment 1

Practise other PLAB 2 specialties

Frequently asked questions

What PLAB 2 neurology stations come up?

Plabity's 34 free PLAB 2 neurology stations include presentations such as sudden severe headache, ongoing chest-wall pain after shingles, headache, headache with visual aura, recurring headache around periods, wife's sudden weakness and slurred speech, transient facial droop and slurred speech, mini-stroke (tia), difficulty walking, driving after repeated mini-strokes, seizure in a young man, recurrent seizures on treatment, epilepsy review after recent seizures, first-time seizure. Each runs as an eight-minute spoken consultation marked to the PLAB rubric.

Are these PLAB 2 neurology stations free?

Yes. All 34 are free to practise. You sign up with an email address, with no card required.

How are the stations marked?

Each station is marked across the three PLAB domains: data gathering, clinical management and interpersonal skills. You get a breakdown of every criterion with quoted evidence from your own consultation, in seconds.

See also: free PLAB 2 preparation · the complete PLAB 2 guide · all free stations

Practise neurology stations free.

34 spoken neurology cubicles, marked to the PLAB rubric. No card, no plan.

Start practising free