6 Tips for Success

1. Know what to expect. 2. Consider taking NBME practice exams. 3. Monitor your focus/quality of work. 4. Review daily. 5. Work your question bank(s). 6. Remember the Hershey Kiss.

1. Know What To Expect Bulletin of Information Content Description and General Information What you need on the day of your exam and what to expect at check-in Personal items allowed and not allowed How break time works

2. Take NBME Practice Exams. NBME writes Step 1 – their practice exams are most like Step 1 Take practice exam at the beginning to establish a baseline, know the kind of questions asked and experience pace required Consider taking another NBME practice exam in 7-10 days to Evaluate whether your study approach is working Practice and to identify what do you not know (not to see how high a score you can get) Do not wait until you have reviewed everything Track and evaluate your progress/readiness $ 50 ea/$60 for more detailed feedback – wise investment Link:

Exercise caution… …when “predicting” your score based on practice exams and question bank results. Students have reported that practice exam scores underpredicted and, unfortunately, overpredicted their actual score. It may be more helpful to observe your score trends.

3. Monitor Focus/Quality of Work. “I studied at the library 15 hours every day” Focused, quality, effective study vs. putting in time Monitor While studying While reviewing and re-reviewing When doing practice questions When taking practice exams Interference External – distractions (family obligations, significant others) Internal – chatter, self-talk, worries, anxiety, burn out

4. Review (and Re-Review) Daily. Specific Items Identify specific material you need to learn, understand and remember from review materials Decide how you will practice (diagram flash card, etc) Put that test prep item in a real or virtual folder or other wise organize it with other items Pull one item during an academic break or down time; practice a small section for short amount of time and test yourself; repeat daily/weekly add material as mastered Random Review Work through missed question bank items and guesses

5. Work Your Question Banks. Mixed content Timed blocks of ~46 questions “But I haven’t reviewed that topic yet.” You will probably recognize even remember item when you do study that topic Part of an ongoing review Work through missed questions/guesses Does this topic require more study time? How will you learn/practice This process takes longer at first.

6. Remember the Hershey Kiss Test prep causes one to become “academically bottom heavy.” Try to maintain a semblance of balance to be well, avoid burnout and control for anxiety Incorporate into your daily/weekly routine activities that address these other aspects of your life: Physical Social/emotional Spiritual

A Rock and a Hard Place…

If you start feeling that you are between a rock and a hard place, contact any of us. There are options. Your advisor Debbie Ingersoll – Let me know if you’d like to check in, review your study plan, etc. Forrest Page Dr. Dent

6 Tips for Success 1. Know what to expect. 2. Consider taking NBME practice exams. 3. Monitor your focus/quality of work. 4. Review daily. 5. Work your question bank(s). 6. Remember the Hershey Kiss.

And finally… Take Care and Best of Luck!