1. University of Toledo, Ohio
Cracking the USMLE!!
FARAZ KHAN LUNI M.D.
University of Toledo, Ohio
Internal Medicine
USMLE Step 1 score 99 (266)
USMLE Step 2 score 99 (263)
USMLE Step 3 score 99 (234)

2. DISCLAIMER! No fixed formula of success Listen to others
Do what suits you

3. Avoid Stress
Sort out family issues
Decide what you want
Long process

4. Avoid Stress Sleep well Take out time to relax and exercise
Don’t postpone exams unnecessarily
- Maximum of four reads

5. How to study Hard work pays off but smart studying pays off even more
Study Partner or group
Make a timetable and stick to it

6. Time Table Have 8 Hours of Sleep - Fixed sleeping schedule
Time to relax
Time to exercise
Study in breaks

7. Time Table 9 AM Wake up 10-2:30 Study (4.5 Hours) 2:30-3 TV 3-6 Sleep
6-6: Tea Time
6: Study (2.5 Hours)
9-9: Exercise
9: Eat-TV
10-2: Study (4.5 Hours)

8. How to study
Library
Don’t over prepare

9. How to study Not many Buzz words Clinical scenarios No Rattas please
- No need to memorize every line

10. Step 1 subjects (in order of importance)
Pathology (Highest yield)
Microbiology (Bacteriology high yield, Viral Groups)
Behavioral Sciences (Our Achilles' Tendon)
Pharmacology (Personal Classification Notes)
Immunology (Immune deficiency diseases high yield)
Physiology
Biochemistry (First Aid is our aid)
Genetics
Anatomy (YES!!! Lowest yield topic. Only Neuroanatomy is high yield)

11. Which books to use Kaplan Lecture Notes (Along with DVDs)
Kaplan 100 cases of ethics
Epidemiology and Biostatistics for the USMLE (Appleton and Lange)
Goljan Pathology (Old Edition)

12. Which books to use Original First Aid Kaplan Q bank (Not Q book)
UWorld MCQs (ONLINE!!!)
DON’T use High yield series, Grey’s, Harper,Guyton, Ganong!!!

13. First Read Orient Yourself Don’t panic if you don’t remember
Slowest read
Should take ~3 months
~ more days if DVDs

14. First Read Kaplan Series Kaplan 100 cases of ethics
Epidemiology and Biostatistics for the USMLE (Appleton and Lange)
Goljan Pathology (Some recommend Lectures)
- New edition too detailed!

15. First Read DVDs Alternate way of studying
NOT necessary for good scores
Make additions to Kaplan
Do not write every word

16. First Read DVDs Watch once Increase speed, Capture (Power DVD)
Behavior sciences is a must!
Decide for yourself

17. Second Read Revise Should take ~ 2 months (with Q Bank)
Don’t waste time on DVDs

18. Second Read Original First Aid MUST use it!
NOT a replacement for Kaplan
Great retention and revision tool

19. Second Read Kaplan Q bank (Book Format) Understand question pattern
Topic by topic
Identify high yield topics
Note new information

20. Third Read Should take ~15 days U World ~ 13 more days
Kaplan + First Aid
U World Online ( )

21. Third Read
Sample exam (
NBME
Predictive Value

22. USMLE World Always Online (Don’t use book) $99 package
Smartest $99 ever spent!
Can also give self assessment (Extra $30)

23. USMLE World Learning tool (Not Evaluation) High 60s ~ High 90s
Exam day matters
Identify Weaknesses

24. USMLE World www.usmleworld.com Extra Information - Make notes
Gives feel of the exam
Schedule near the real exam

25. USMLE World FAQs Not getting good scores U World Vs Real Exam
My friend got a low score

26. Day before the Exam Stop studying by 6 pm Relax
Stay away from position holders
Sleep early

27. Day before the Exam Don’t use long acting sedatives (Valium)
Go see Prometric centre at least a day before
Exam Tutorial
Don’t cross question yourself

28. Step 1 Exam Format 8 Blocks 1 st Block Tutorial
7 Block MCQs (46 MCQs per Block)

29. Exam Format 15 Min Tutorial 45 min Break 1 Hour per Block
If you finish earlier time added to break time
Block time is CONSTANT (1 hour)

30. Exam Day Reach early Use restroom
Don’t study on exam day or in exam break
Take juices, snacks
Panadol Extra (A lifesaver!!)

31. Exam Day Skip tutorial - Check mouse, sound, monitor Time management
Breaks

32. Exam Day Have a positive attitude All blocks WONT go well
Don’t evaluate yourself
It seems crazy but ENJOY your exam

33. How to attempt questions?
Read the last line first
Look at the options
Then read the whole question
Highlight

34. How to attempt questions?
Don’t waste time
Use mark option
Tick any answer
Don’t leave any unanswered question
All the information is in Kaplan and UWorld

35. Under Grads Time for Concepts Proper Text Books Kaplan
Don’t compromise your Med School

36. Should I go for the Steps?
Under Grads
Should I go for the Steps?
Pros
Information fresh
Save time to residency
Cons
Only 1 USMLE attempt (Unless you Flunk)
Neglect of college studies
Stressful

37. House Job
Pros
Backup
Learning
Pakistan Option
PMDC
Financial

38. House Job Cons Does not affect scores 1 extra year Less Study time
Not a big boost to your match chances

39. House Job Do or not? Visa Status Family Issues AKU or Civil
How to study?
Time
Wards

40. FAQs
Should I give Step 1 first or Step 2
Old edition or new one

41. FAQs Is USMLE Step 1 studies good enough to pass FCPS
Should I delay my exam

42. FAQs
Audio Visual Questions
Slides

43. USMLE Step 2

44. USMLE STEP 2 Attempt within 3-4 months of step 1
Questions from step 1 syllabus
Shorter syllabus

45. USMLE STEP 2 Studying smartly is the key Beware of mistakes in Kaplan
Time management very important

46. Subjects Medicine (Highest Yield) Pediatrics (Medium Yield)
Obstetrics and Gynecology (Medium Yield)
Surgery (Lowest Yield)
Psychiatry (Lowest Yield)

47. What to focus on? What is the next best step
What is the next best test
What is the most accurate test
What is the most likely diagnosis
How to manage

48. What to study? Recommended Only Kaplan Series
UWorld Mcqs (Either online or Book)
Master the Boards (Not used by me)
Not Recommended
No Dvd’s except Cardiology and Gynaecology
No First Aid
No Qbank

49. How to study? Three reads more then enough Timing
1st read ~ 2 months with UWorld
2nd read ~1 month
3rd read ~ 13 days

50. How to study? Everyone gets whipped in U World Understand pattern
U World with first read
Everyone gets whipped in U World
Understand pattern
Identify high yield topics

51. Step 2 Exam Format 9 Blocks 1 st Block Tutorial
8 Block MCQs (44 MCQs per Block)

52. USMLE Step 3 2 Day Exam First Day MCQs
Second Day MCQs + Clinical Case Scenario
Best time as soon after Step 2

53. USMLE Step 3
UWorld
Kaplan
Step 2 Or
Step 3
Master the Boards

54. Result and Etiquettes Result comes after 3 weeks on Wednesdays 9AM EST
DON’T call person to ask result
Anything less than 99 is NOT a disappointment