Nuts & Bolts: Policy, Registration, Study Schedules & Support Services October 10, 2016
Review UC Davis SOM policy related to Step 1 Provide information related to registration, scheduling and testing accommodations for Step 1 Describe support available as you prepare for Step 1 Identify essential study resources for Step 1 Provide an outline of deadlines and events related to Step 1 preparation
You must take and complete the exam by the Friday prior to the beginning of Transition to Clerkship ◦ Friday, April 21, 2017 Exceptions to this date can only be granted by the Committee on Student Promotions ◦ alstudentpolicies/csp/step1policy.html alstudentpolicies/csp/step1policy.html ◦ Request to defer clerkship and extend study period must be submitted to CSP by February 11, 2017
Go to Click on “Log-in to NBME Licensing Exam Services” Follow prompts to complete registration Select 90-day eligibility period Print Certification of Identification and Authorization Form, attach picture and deliver form to Registrar’s Office – Room 1208 ◦ Take your ID when you submit form!
What is an eligibility period? ◦ 90 day window in which you may schedule/take your exam You can not test outside of your eligibility period unless you: ◦ File for a one time extension $70 fee, no new scheduling permit until original eligibility expires Re-register for the exam (i.e. pay another $600)
The first month of your eligibility period should be the month in which you are going to test. ◦ Last course ends February 24, ◦ Boards study typically lasts ~6 weeks. Eligibility period: April-May-June
Accommodations for documented disabilities covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act ◦ If you currently have educational accommodations, please contact OSLER to discuss process for applying for accommodations for USMLE. Request for Personal Item Exceptions ◦ Hearing aids, insulin pumps, inhalers, etc. ◦
You will receive an telling you that your scheduling permit is available Log-in, click on “Scheduling Permit” Go to Prometric website and schedule your test date. ◦
Think about how short/long you want your study period to be ◦ Optimal is somewhere around six weeks All successful study plans include: ◦ Scheduled days off ◦ Scheduled days for practice tests/question based review ◦ Scheduled days for final review Plans may need to include: ◦ “special days off” – Weddings, birthdays, poster presentations, etc. Consider how “firm” you want your test day to be ◦ Driving yourself toward a deadline is good ◦ Is purchasing an expensive, non-refundable ticket going to help you meet the deadline or cause anxiety?
March 2017 SunMonTueWedThuFriSat April 2017 SunMonTueWedThuFriSat study days 3 question bank “practice tests” 2 NBME practice tests 3.5 days of cumulative review Q Q RRR R REST NBME TEST!! Transition to Clerkship Q
OSLER will help you build a study schedule and plan the study that is best for you! There are many methods out there: ◦ DIT, Kaplan, Penn Method, Taus Method, Questions Only, Two Pass, etc. All are variations on a theme ◦ Different curricula, different goals, different exams Be informed!!!
Schedule an appointment with OSLER It may take two appointments… ◦ Appointment 1- weekly schedule Day 1 to exam day When do I review? When do I do a practice test? How many days for Renal? ◦ Appointment 2 – daily schedule How long is a study day? How long for Heme pathology? What do I do during the four hours scheduled for CV pharm?
First Aid for the USMLE Step 1 – 2017 edition Plus One ◦ ONE additional reference per discipline Anatomy/Histology Biochemistry Physiology Immunology/Microbiology Pathology Pharmacology Embryology Question Bank ◦ USMLE World
Different levels of support to meet your individual needs: ◦ Lowest level: help creating a study schedule (or feedback on a schedule you have created), choosing supplemental resources and reassurance that you can do this ◦ Medium level: help assessing results of the BSX, individual appointments throughout boards study to help with quizzing, review and confidence ◦ Highest level: Boards Review Class
Six week guided study Focused on approach, strategy ◦ NOT a content based review Designed to provide structure, accountability and additional support for those who need it Informational meeting on December 12 at noon
December 2 – noon ◦ Reviewing Behavioral Science & Psychiatry December 5 – 1-5 pm ◦ BSX Exam (required!) December 12 – noon ◦ Information session for students interested in Boards Review class On-going November-February ◦ Individual appointments to create a Step 1 study plan
October-December ◦ Complete registration ◦ Select and schedule test day ◦ Meet with OSLER to create/review study schedule ◦ Take BSX exam – December 5 ◦ Plan review for winter break January-February ◦ Review results of BSX ◦ Revise study schedule (if necessary) March-April ◦ Activate Question bank ◦ Purchase NBME practice exams ◦ Study! ◦ Take Step 1
Be informed Be systematic Be reflective Know yourself and what works for you Ask questions now Help is available
Step 1and Residency ◦ Dr. Sousa ◦ Study Support, Testing Accommodations & Personal Item Exceptions ◦ Joanna Arnold ◦ Richard Moses ◦ Dori Santana Emotional Well-being and Support ◦