tips 2 success usmle study tips
TRANSCRIPT
Step 1 Study TipsStep 1 Study Tips
Ashley Prosper, MS3
January 5, 2010
Ashley Prosper, MS3
January 5, 2010
When do I start?When do I start?
Things to consider System exams are tough Learning the material for your system exams
helps you do well on your boards You will have 7 weeks of ICS to review
Things to consider System exams are tough Learning the material for your system exams
helps you do well on your boards You will have 7 weeks of ICS to review
My decisionMy decision
I started studying the first day of ICS Took my exam on June 22nd Had a total of 12 weeks of studying time In hindsight this was probably too much
time, I may have benefited from taking the test 1 week earlier. Burnout eventually kicks in!
I started studying the first day of ICS Took my exam on June 22nd Had a total of 12 weeks of studying time In hindsight this was probably too much
time, I may have benefited from taking the test 1 week earlier. Burnout eventually kicks in!
What do I use? What do I use?
Please do not fall into a buying frenzy. You don’t need much!
The necessities: FIRST AID for the USMLE STEP 1! USMLE World
Extras: Goljan Rapid Review Kaplan QBank
Please do not fall into a buying frenzy. You don’t need much!
The necessities: FIRST AID for the USMLE STEP 1! USMLE World
Extras: Goljan Rapid Review Kaplan QBank
FIRST AIDFIRST AID
The most comprehensive review book you can find
(nearly) everything you need to know is in this book
Required ICS textbook The best $ you will
spend (on step1 books)
The most comprehensive review book you can find
(nearly) everything you need to know is in this book
Required ICS textbook The best $ you will
spend (on step1 books)
USMLE WorldUSMLE World
Online Qbank self-tests Software looks exactly like the real USMLE Questions are similar in difficulty if not
slightly harder than those on the real exam Roughly 2000 questions $185 for 3 months
Online Qbank self-tests Software looks exactly like the real USMLE Questions are similar in difficulty if not
slightly harder than those on the real exam Roughly 2000 questions $185 for 3 months
Goljan Rapid ReviewGoljan Rapid Review I preferred reading Goljan’s
book to listening to his audio tapes
Much if not all of the information is already in your First Aid
This is most helpful if you can’t stand looking at First Aid anymore
Consider using it alongside your class notes for system exam studying
I preferred reading Goljan’s book to listening to his audio tapes
Much if not all of the information is already in your First Aid
This is most helpful if you can’t stand looking at First Aid anymore
Consider using it alongside your class notes for system exam studying
Kaplan QbankKaplan Qbank
Separate user interface Questions test details 2400 Questions 3 months for $189
Note: I started with Kaplan and used U-
World once I’d finished Kaplan Qbank.
Separate user interface Questions test details 2400 Questions 3 months for $189
Note: I started with Kaplan and used U-
World once I’d finished Kaplan Qbank.
Where do I start?Where do I start?I used Vinny Dhillon, MS4’s schedule: Week 1: Biochemistry/Genetics, Path Week 2: Endocrine + Repro Week 3: Heme/Immunology + Embryo/GA Week 4/7: Neuro + Psych/Behavioral Week 5: Cardio + Renal Week 6: GI + Respiratory *Study consistently throughout each system (as
applicable): Pharmacology, Micro, some Pathology and GA
I used Vinny Dhillon, MS4’s schedule: Week 1: Biochemistry/Genetics, Path Week 2: Endocrine + Repro Week 3: Heme/Immunology + Embryo/GA Week 4/7: Neuro + Psych/Behavioral Week 5: Cardio + Renal Week 6: GI + Respiratory *Study consistently throughout each system (as
applicable): Pharmacology, Micro, some Pathology and GA
In addition to readingIn addition to reading
QBank every night 40-50 questions/night on average Review the answers to each question and
add material to your FirstAid if necessary Remember that in the beginning, you’re
using QBank as a learning tool, not a test of your knowledge
QBank every night 40-50 questions/night on average Review the answers to each question and
add material to your FirstAid if necessary Remember that in the beginning, you’re
using QBank as a learning tool, not a test of your knowledge
When to take the testWhen to take the test
Most students aim for the week of June 14th +/- 1 week
Consider your learning style, how ready you feel toward the middle of ICS and how much time you want off before 3rd year
Aim to take your test on time. Pushing it back becomes a vicious cycle.
Most students aim for the week of June 14th +/- 1 week
Consider your learning style, how ready you feel toward the middle of ICS and how much time you want off before 3rd year
Aim to take your test on time. Pushing it back becomes a vicious cycle.
RegistrationRegistration
Register this month, spots fill up quickly Apply for a testing permit through the
NBME website Testing permits are in 3 month blocks, i.e.
May-July or June-August Once you’ve received your permit, pick a
test date at a Prometrics center
Register this month, spots fill up quickly Apply for a testing permit through the
NBME website Testing permits are in 3 month blocks, i.e.
May-July or June-August Once you’ve received your permit, pick a
test date at a Prometrics center
Extra preparationExtra preparation Practice “Free 150” exam at a Prometrics
center Practice sessions are held at Prometrics centers
so you can get used to the environment $52 fee Separate registration permit from the actual
exam The exam materials are available for free even
if you don’t register for a practice session
Practice “Free 150” exam at a Prometrics center Practice sessions are held at Prometrics centers
so you can get used to the environment $52 fee Separate registration permit from the actual
exam The exam materials are available for free even
if you don’t register for a practice session
Extra prep. continuedExtra prep. continued
Figure out what you want to eat on test day Try out these foods ahead of time and make sure
they agree with you Bring snacks with you to the test center, buying
lunch is risky Start waking up at the time you’ll need to wake up
on test day at least 1 week in advance Bring a jacket, the test centers are cold Plan something fun after the exam, no matter what
you deserve to celebrate!
Figure out what you want to eat on test day Try out these foods ahead of time and make sure
they agree with you Bring snacks with you to the test center, buying
lunch is risky Start waking up at the time you’ll need to wake up
on test day at least 1 week in advance Bring a jacket, the test centers are cold Plan something fun after the exam, no matter what
you deserve to celebrate!
Things to rememberThings to remember Studying for the USMLE is a long, time-
intensive process You’ve been preparing for this test since
August of 2008, even if you didn’t know it! Everyone doubts themselves and feels
overwhelmed at some point while preparing Our school does very well historically, you
too stand to do well
Studying for the USMLE is a long, time-intensive process
You’ve been preparing for this test since August of 2008, even if you didn’t know it!
Everyone doubts themselves and feels overwhelmed at some point while preparing
Our school does very well historically, you too stand to do well