Getting Ready for USMLE STEP 1

Sheela Lahoti, MDLaTanya Love, MD

OBJECTIVES

Provide overview of USMLE with emphasis on Step 1

Discuss timeline for studying Learn how to incorporate

studying for USMLE in your everyday studying

Help students maximize USMLE Step 1 Score

Do you ever feel like you are in the standardized test

Olympics?

High School

• PSAT • SAT• ACT

College• MCAT

Medical School - USMLE

Three-step examination for medical licensure in the United States

Step 1 taken at end of your second year

Step 2 taken during fourth year Step 3 taken during residency

After residency….Specialty Board Certification

• More than 145 specialties and subspecialties you can become board eligible for

Feelings about USMLE

• Excited• Nervous• Scared• Anxious• Confident• Fear of Unknown

Why is USMLE important?• To obtain your license to practice medicine

in United States you will need to:– Graduate from medical school– Pass USMLE Steps 1, 2, and 3– Complete one or more years of residency– Apply for licensure from a medical licensing

authority• Requirements different for every state• In Texas you must past each Step exam within

three attempts!

Step 1 Scores

Used by a lot of specialties to determine your competitiveness as an applicant

USMLE Step 1

Assesses whether you understand and can apply important concepts of the sciences basic to the practice of medicine, with special emphasis on principles and mechanisms underlying health, disease, and modes of therapy.

*From USMLE Bulletin*

USMLE Step 2 Two step examination Assesses whether you can

apply medical knowledge, skills, and understanding of clinical science essential for the provision of patient care under supervision and includes emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention.

Usually taken in fourth year

USMLE Step 3 Assesses whether you can

apply medical knowledge and understanding of biomedical and clinical science essential for the unsupervised practice of medicine, with emphasis on patient management in ambulatory settings.

Usually taken during or after the first year of postgraduate residency training

UT Houston USMLE Step1 Policy Step 1 must be taken prior to

beginning of the third year If you do not pass you must retake

Recommend that you register prior to February 1, 2016

You must have special permission to sit for Step 1 prior to June 1st

USMLE Step 1 Format

Computerized test Approximately 308 multiple choice

questions Seven 60 minute blocks of 44 items

each Once a block has expired you are no longer

able to review or change answers in that block

Administered in an 8 hour Testing Session

Approximately 1.3 minutes per question

USMLE Step 1 Format

Single Questions with 1 best answerOther options may be partially

correct, but there is only one best answer

Some questions involve interpretation of graphic or pictorial materialsHistology slides, gross anatomy

pictures, etc.

USMLE Step 1 Format

Content is randomAll subjects are mixed in all blocks

No penalty for guessing Some questions are

experimental

USMLE Step 1 Content anatomy behavioral sciences biochemistry biostatics and epidemiology microbiology pathology pharmacology physiology interdisciplinary topics, such as

nutrition, genetics, immunology, molecular and cell biology, and aging

Reporting

Three digit scoreMinimum passing score is 192* Mean score for first time

examinees from accredited U.S. medical schools is in the range of 210 to 240 (SD +/- 20)

*minimum score subject to change anytime

UT Houston 2014

240 total test takers 98% passing on first attempt

National average was 96% Mean score of 233

National average was 229

Mean USMLE Scores

STEP 1 Pass Rate

Score distribution by discipline and organ system

How do I apply?• Review the latest USMLE Bulletin at

www.usmle.org • Submit your application materials and

submit them online at www.nbme.org– Fee is $600 (included in the fin. aid budget)

• You will receive a scheduling permit authorizing you to schedule your examination in a 3-month window

• You will schedule your test date at a Prometric Test Center

What are reasons people fail or don’t do as well as they would

like?

The 3 P’s…….

Poor Planning Preparation inadequate Performance Anxiety

Planning is key!

Set your goalEveryone should shoot for 99%!Don’t underestimate yourself

Develop study scheduleMake it reasonableTry to stick to this routine

Without a study schedule, you will run out of time before you

run out of material!

Preparation

Already started Day 1 of med school Better to learn and understand

concepts now then trying to learn it later! Want to make it a review when you are

studying for boards Stick with methods that have already

worked for you! Study smart!

Preparation Practice doing questions Practice items can be downloaded

from the NBME websitehttp://www.usmle.org/practice-materials/ Can schedule practice test at a

Prometric Test Center for $75.00*same sample test materials that are on

USMLE website*

Commercial Courses

Lots of commercial courses (Kaplan, Princeton Review, etc.)

Doctors in Training USMLE World

Risk for failure Poor academic performance

during first year of medical school coursework

Below Pass in any class Prior problems with

standardized exams (MCAT)

Risk for failure

Over confident – “I would never fail”

Under confident – “I probably am going to fail”

Test anxiety If we feel you are at risk we will

call you in prior to exam to make sure you have a study plan

Performance Anxiety and stress If you are feeling stressed or

overwhelmed please visit Student Health Services and meet confidentially with our dedicated student psychologist

Call 713-500-5171 to make an appointment

What’s the next step?

Steps to USMLE Success

In early Jan. you all will receive 2016 version of First Aid courtesy of the Dean

Would like you to have read it at least 2-3 times before you take Step 1

Wait there’s more…………

Steps to USMLE Success

School has provided you access to Kaplan Q Bank

Can start doing a few practice questions

Helps you identify areas in which you are weak

Can do timed test

NBME Practice Exams

School will administer NBME Comprehensive Basic Science Exam

Resembles content items of Step 1

184 multiple choice items – 4 hrs

Each student will receive an individual performance profile

NBME Practice Exam

Mandatory for all MS 2’s First exam will be given in

March after spring break If you do not score a minimum

192 on practice exam you will be required to take a second practice exam around April/May

NBME Practice Exam

If you do not score a minimum 192 on second practice exam you will be required to take a third practice exam late May

After 3 practice exams and you are still not making a minimum passing score of 192 you will be required to meet with Dr. Lahoti or Dr. Love to discuss individualized study plan

Optional for others but strongly recommended

Steps to USMLE success• This is a team effort!• We are hear to support and guide you!• Please come to Office of Student Affairs if

you are having any concerns or feel you have special circumstances that need to be addressed