Pastest vs iatroX Quiz (2025): high-volume Qbank vs deep guideline understanding

Last reviewed: 2025-12-17 · Reviewed by Dr Kola Tytler, MBBS CertHE MBA MRCGP

At a Glance

Who is it for?

iatroX:UK clinicians preparing for exams who also want rapid, guideline-grounded understanding and the ability to interrogate UK guidance conversationally.

Pastest:Trainees who want a large, exam-style question bank with mocks, analytics, and structured revision coverage.

Why choose iatroX?

  • **Free for individuals**: lower barrier for continuous daily use alongside revision.
  • **Guideline interrogation**: Ask helps you understand “why” and “what next” grounded in NICE/CKS/BNF.
  • **Scenario reasoning**: Brainstorm supports case-based learning beyond MCQs.
  • **Learning continuum**: point-of-care answers + reasoning + quiz practice in one tool.

Why choose Pastest?

  • **Gold standard for volume**: large banks of exam-style questions and mocks.
  • **Exam alignment**: content often tightly mapped to exam formats and typical themes.
  • **Revision workflow**: built-in tracking, question stats, and structured revision journeys (product dependent).
  • **Multi-exam coverage**: broad catalogue across undergraduate and postgraduate exams.

Feature Comparison

CapabilityiatroXPastest
PriceFree for individuals.Paid subscriptions (pricing varies by exam and duration; e.g., MRCGP AKT lists multi-month options).
Core_strengthUnderstanding + application of UK guidance through Q&A and case exploration.High-volume question practice, mocks, and structured exam prep resources.
Learning_styleInterrogatable guidance + scenario reasoning + targeted quizzes.MCQ/SBA-style repetition with analytics and exam-style pacing.
Best_forDeep understanding and clinical translation of guidance.Maximising exam question exposure and exam technique through volume.

In-Depth Analysis

Overview

Both Pastest and iatroX can help you pass exams — but they do it differently:

  • Pastest is volume and exam technique: lots of exam-style questions, mocks, and structured prep journeys.
  • iatroX is understanding and translation: interrogate UK guidance (NICE/CKS/BNF), explore scenarios, and then quiz yourself.

Quick take

  • Choose Pastest if you want maximum question exposure and mock exam practice.
  • Choose iatroX if you want to strengthen UK-guideline reasoning and close the “why am I getting this wrong?” gap.

Pricing

  • iatroX: Free for individuals.
  • Pastest: Paid subscriptions; pricing varies by exam and duration (e.g., MRCGP AKT lists 3/6/12-month options and trial access).

Best combined workflow (common in real life)

  1. Do a timed Pastest block
  2. For questions you missed, ask iatroX:
    • “What does UK guidance suggest and why?”
    • “What are the red flags / thresholds?”
    • “What changes if X comorbidity is present?”
  3. Re-test with a new block

This turns repetition into durable understanding.

Public information last reviewed: 17 Dec 2025.

Use-Cases

Early revision: build understanding first

When to choose iatroX

  • Use Ask/Brainstorm to build a strong mental model of UK pathways and decision points.
  • Then use Quiz to check recall and application.

When to choose Pastest

  • Use question banks to identify weak areas quickly; supplement with reference reading where needed.

Late revision: optimise exam technique

When to choose iatroX

  • Use targeted questions + Brainstorm to resolve conceptual gaps you keep getting wrong.

When to choose Pastest

  • Use high-volume timed blocks and mocks to rehearse exam conditions and pacing.

Clinical work alongside revision

When to choose iatroX

  • Use at the point of care for guideline-grounded decisions, reinforcing learning in real contexts.

When to choose Pastest

  • Primarily revision-focused; less optimised for point-of-care guideline Q&A during a busy clinic.

FAQs

Which is better if I have limited time before the exam?
Pastest is often strong for rapid exposure to exam-style questions and mocks. iatroX can add value by quickly fixing conceptual gaps via UK-guideline-grounded explanations.
Is iatroX a replacement for a large Qbank?
Not if you specifically need high-volume timed practice and mocks. iatroX is designed to complement Qbanks by deepening understanding and translating guidance into practical reasoning.
Why does guideline understanding matter for MCQs?
Many exam questions test application of thresholds, pathways, and safety-netting. Interrogating guidance improves decision-making speed and reduces repeated errors.