Tim Boswell, M4 Presentation created on: 3/4/16 How I studied for Step 1 Tim Boswell, M4 Presentation created on: 3/4/16

Common Questions What resources did you use? How many NBMEs did you take? What did you write in your question log? How often did you review your question log? Did you take days off? How many weeks did you study? Is there such a thing as a plateau? Where did you study? How did you study Micro and Pharm? If you could do it again, what would you do differently?

Outline Resources Schedule Day: Study schedule Week: Recurring events Month: Big picture Questions and Question Logs Small practices that made a Big difference Last days What would you do differently? My advice to you

Disclaimer This was my approach; everyone is different There is no correct way to prepare What is best for you may be completely different

Resources UWorld First Aid NBMEs Kaplan Qs (during semester) Step Prep sessions Lippincott’s Microcards Wilson Anatomy review High Yield Behavioral Sciences High Yield Embryology YouTube explanations

Schedule: Day – Study Schedule 8-11 First Aid 11-12 Block 1 12-1 Lunch 1-2:30 Block 1 Review 2:30-3:30 Block 2 3:30-5:00 Block 2 Review 5-6:30 Dinner 6:30-7:30 Block 3 7:30-9:00 Block 3 Review 9-10 Bugs and Drugs 10-11 Pump up 11-11:30 Question Log Review

Schedule: Week – Recurring Events Practice test: NBME + 3 Blocks UW Review and Memorization day Day off Monday: Review and Memorization Tuesday: Practice test (NBME + 3 UW) Wednesday: Review practice test or Typical Day or combination Thursday: Typical Day Friday: Typical Day Saturday: Typical Day Sunday: Day off

Schedule: Month – Big Picture UWorld: ~2400 Qs = 52 blocks of 46 questions First Aid: ~600 pages NBMEs Assessing and evaluating Fatigue and plateau

Questions and Question Logs Full block (46 Qs), random questions, test mode 1 hour to do a block of questions, 1.5 hours to review

Questions and Question Logs Strategy: Know / Not Sure / Guess What format? How much to write? How to review?

small Practices that made a BIG Difference Highlighting question log and reviewing highlights Placing sticky tabs in First Aid

small Practices that made a BIG Difference Highlighting Question Log and reviewing highlights Placing sticky tabs in First Aid Keeping a memory checklist / list of topics to learn

small Practices that made a BIG Difference Highlighting Question Log and reviewing highlights Placing sticky tabs in First Aid Keeping a memory checklist / list of topics to learn Marking what I wanted to look at again Creating a strategy/schedule that emphasized repetition

Last days Memory items in First Aid Question logs First Aid rapid review (at end of book) USMLE tutorial and practice questions Enjoy the taper!

What would you do differently? Closer to test -> focus more on high yield

How did you study for Step 1? My advice to you Figure out what works for you; don’t worry about what other people do Be willing to adapt Have a support network Keep track of what you do, what works, and what doesn’t and be ready to answer the question: How did you study for Step 1?