Nuts & Bolts: Policy, Registration, Study Schedules & Support Services October 19, 2015

 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 22  Exceptions to this date can only be granted by the Committee on Student Promotions ◦ alstudentpolicies/csp/step1policy.html alstudentpolicies/csp/step1policy.html

 Karin Nilsson, Ph.D., (Student Health and Counseling Services) Mondays and Thursdays  Stephen Simonson, Psy.D. (SOM/ASAP) Wednesdays & Fridays  Both of us are reached for initial appointment requests through Hour-long strategy session for emotionally/mentally preparing for study period offered January 2016 (noon time)

 Set your plan, then follow it—prevent avoidance/perfectionism from getting in the way ◦ Small steps add up. Returning to your plan is more important than being perfect at it. Practicing Mindful Presence/Breathing Learning happens in the present Diaphragmatic Breathing supports being present Let’s Practice!

 Go to  Click on “Log-in to NBME Licensing Exam Services”  Follow prompts to complete registration  Select 90-day eligibility period  Print 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 26, ◦ Boards study typically lasts ~6 weeks.  Eligibility period: April-May-June

 Accommodations for documented disabilities covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act  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 you 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.

March 2016 SunMonTueWedThuFriSat April 2016 SunMonTueWedThuFriSat study days 3 question bank “practice tests” 2 NBME practice tests 3.5 days of cumulative review Q Q RR R R REST NBME Q TEST!!

 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 – 2016 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 16 at 11 am

 December 2 – noon ◦ Reviewing Behavioral Science & Psychiatry  December 7 – 1-5 pm ◦ BSX Exam (required!)  December 16 – 11 am ◦ 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 7  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

 Accountability Buddy ◦ Discuss what you plan to do, and check in about whether you have met your plan. Not about how well you are doing; not about how much you are learning. ◦ Let’s practice again.

 Step 1and Residency ◦ Dr. Jones ◦  Study Support, Testing Accommodations & Personal Item Exceptions ◦ Joanna Arnold  ◦ Richard Moses   Emotional Well-being and Support ◦