Marianne Green, Sandra M. Sanguino, Pat Garcia 2017- 2018 USMLE Step 1 Overview Requirements, Organization of Exam, Feinberg Data, Preparation Strategies, & Questions Marianne Green, Sandra M. Sanguino, Pat Garcia

USMLE Step 1 Policy All students will be required to take and record a passing score (192) on the USMLE Step 1 examination. Step 1 must be taken prior to starting the clinical clerkships. A student who receives a failing score on Step 1 while enrolled in a clerkship may complete that clerkship. The student may not proceed to the next clerkship until Step 1 has been re-taken. Students who fail Step 1 need to take adequate time off to prepare for retaking the exam.

USMLE Registration Begin Registration process by going to:https://apps.nbme.org/nlesweb/ - /login Register as a “first –time user” (at the bottom of the page). Follow the instructions. Your registration application must be approved by FSM in Registration and Records. You will be confirmed by the NBME and issued a scheduling permit. Once approved you will need to select a 3-month window for taking the exam. You should register for “April-June”. If you feel you need more time, first contact Drs. Sanguino, Garcia, or Green for approval.

Format of the exam Step 1 is a one-day examination. It is divided into seven 60-minute blocks and administered in one 8- hour testing session The number of questions per block on a given examination form will vary, but will not exceed 40. The total number of items on the overall examination form will not exceed 280.

USMLE Step 1 Organization The USMLE Step 1 is a comprehensive, Integrated exam organized along two major dimensions System Process Step 1 tests your scientific knowledge in a problem- solving framework, usually using clinical vignettes

You will be asked to…. Interpret graphic and tabular material. Identify gross and microscopic pathologic and normal specimens. Apply basic science knowledge to clinical problems.

What is the best source of Information about USMLE Step 1? http://www.usmle.org/step-1/

Workshop: Calendaring for USMLE achievement NBME Practice Test Workshop: Calendaring for USMLE achievement Workshop on Test Prep Winter Break March 9: End of Phase 1b/ Beginning of Dedicated Study Time By preparing well for your module exams and correlating learning objectives with a step 1 review text, you WILL be focused on the topics at hand AND connecting across “main divisions” What about the 1a/M1 organ systems? – Foundations, CV, Pulm, Renal, MSK/Derm April 30: Intro to Phase 2!

What is the Importance of the USMLE Step 1 Score? You must pass to graduate (Passing Score is 192). For residency programs, it is an available piece of data… In terms of relative importance for many residency programs it is ranked as follows: Grades in Specialty of choice USMLE 1 or 2 CK (depending on the specialty) Grades in Required Clerkships For some programs it is used to screen applications.

AWOME conducts regular evaluations to measure how well the Feinberg curriculum prepares students for the USMLE Step 1. Correlational analyses have consistently shown a significant link between student performance on module exams and later performance on the USMLE Step A recent analysis of the Step 1 performance of the Class of 2019 reconfirms these findings. There continues to be a tight correlation between exam performance and Step 1 Step 1 national mean

NBME Comprehensive Basic Science Exam The CBSE will be offered in February by College in the Weinberg computer center Scores are meant for you only and will not be used for grading/promotion. These scores will not be part of your academic record.

Mean = 64.8

This person later scored a 247 on Step 1

Self-Assess Develop a Plan Knowledge Base Effective Learning Self-assess based on Phase 1 (A & B) USMLE Website Content Description CBSE Practice Exam in February Effective Learning Develop a timeline for review that fits with your style and the workload you need to accomplish. Stay with your plan. Be disciplined! Practice questions Spaced Repetition Develop a Plan

Student advice-general Early Start? Use First Aid as a supplement in your current modules Identify Areas of Weakness- micro and pharm are recurrent themes “A little goes a long way”-started studying in December for an hour or so most days

Most commonly used resources cited by students Pathoma First Aid U World Sketchy Micro

Step 1 Review Books First Aid for the USMLE Step 1 USMLE Step 1 Secrets Rapid Review Pathology (Golijan) Pathoma (Sattar) Kaplan Lecture Series Kaplan Med Essentials USMLE Step 1 Deja Review outlines vs. paragraphs

Student advice-Time Management Be aware of Resource Overload Develop a study schedule Incorporate Breaks Sleep and exercise Minimize other commitments If it is an option, go home for dedicated study “Don’t push back test date”

Peer Advice from FSM Students http://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/education/cur rent-students/academic-resources/academic- support/preparation-resources/index.html

“If I could do it all again, I would take the test earlier “If I could do it all again, I would take the test earlier. Feinberg prepares us really well during our first two years, and I started to slowly review after coming back from winter break. So by the time our "dedicated study time" came around, I was ready to get to it.”

We are here to help! MG, PG, SS all happy to meet with any of you as often as you need Laura Doto will offer drop in hours for study help

Questions?