Pastest

The Pastest app is a great reason why I use Pastest over other question banks. The simplicity of its use over a browser-based platform is something that really appealed to me, not to mention how useful it is that questions can be downloaded so an active internet connection is not required (very beneficial for my hour-long commute without cellular signal). The app occasionally freezes, particularly I’ve noticed when switching to it form another app, but a quick reset has things working normally, and progress is always saved. Overall, a very good app for revision.

Firstly I should state that this review focuses on the mobile app itself (iOS), rather than on Pastest as a platform, which I find by far the best of its kind on the market currently. The biggest problem I find with this app is how regularly it crashes. I have lost count of the number of times that I get a text or phone call and therefore have to minimise the app, then to return to find myself logged out. Then when I log back in, it tells me I’m logged in on ‘another device’ and therefore my progress is lost. This is extremely frustrating, especially when it happens on question 49/50, as it leads to time being wasted. This is disappointing for such an expensive resource. Moreover the number of times that one must log in again and again on the same device is frustrating, particularly when there is no option to ‘remember’ account details, like there is on the web platform.

Now in my second year of graduate medicine, I was looking for something that would help me improve my grades. Medical school teaches you a lot of theory, and sometimes it can be hard applying that in exams. It sometimes feels like exams can be a different ball game altogether. Recognising key words and classical presentations can save you precious time and help filter out purposefully distracting choices. I bought Pastest as they have an impressive question bank that spans all areas covered in medical school. You can state which medical school you attend for a more fine-tuned approach. Overall this has been an invaluable resource and I cannot rate it highly enough. The mobile app means I can download questions to answer whilst commuting to school or placement, without the need for WiFi, meaning I’m really making the most of all my time without the need to lug heavy books around!! It is possibly the best investment you can make for your medical education!