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

2. 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?

3. 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

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

5. 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

6. Schedule: Day – Study Schedule
8-11 First Aid Block 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 Pump up 11-11:30 Question Log Review

7. 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

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

10. 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

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

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

21. 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

24. 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

25. 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!

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

28. 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?