1. Step 1 Study Tips Ashley Prosper, MS3 January 5, 2010 Ashley Prosper, MS3 January 5, 2010

2. When do I start?  Things to consider  System exams are tough  Learning the material for your system exams helps you do well on your boards  You will have 7 weeks of ICS to review  Things to consider  System exams are tough  Learning the material for your system exams helps you do well on your boards  You will have 7 weeks of ICS to review

3. My decision  I started studying the first day of ICS  Took my exam on June 22nd  Had a total of 12 weeks of studying time  In hindsight this was probably too much time, I may have benefited from taking the test 1 week earlier. Burnout eventually kicks in!  I started studying the first day of ICS  Took my exam on June 22nd  Had a total of 12 weeks of studying time  In hindsight this was probably too much time, I may have benefited from taking the test 1 week earlier. Burnout eventually kicks in!

4. What do I use? Please do not fall into a buying frenzy. You don’t need much!  The necessities:  FIRST AID for the USMLE STEP 1!  USMLE World  Extras:  Goljan Rapid Review  Kaplan QBank Please do not fall into a buying frenzy. You don’t need much!  The necessities:  FIRST AID for the USMLE STEP 1!  USMLE World  Extras:  Goljan Rapid Review  Kaplan QBank

5. FIRST AID  The most comprehensive review book you can find  (nearly) everything you need to know is in this book  Required ICS textbook  The best $ you will spend (on step1 books)  The most comprehensive review book you can find  (nearly) everything you need to know is in this book  Required ICS textbook  The best $ you will spend (on step1 books)

6. USMLE World  Online Qbank self-tests  Software looks exactly like the real USMLE  Questions are similar in difficulty if not slightly harder than those on the real exam  Roughly 2000 questions  $185 for 3 months  Online Qbank self-tests  Software looks exactly like the real USMLE  Questions are similar in difficulty if not slightly harder than those on the real exam  Roughly 2000 questions  $185 for 3 months

7. Goljan Rapid Review  I preferred reading Goljan’s book to listening to his audio tapes  Much if not all of the information is already in your First Aid  This is most helpful if you can’t stand looking at First Aid anymore  Consider using it alongside your class notes for system exam studying  I preferred reading Goljan’s book to listening to his audio tapes  Much if not all of the information is already in your First Aid  This is most helpful if you can’t stand looking at First Aid anymore  Consider using it alongside your class notes for system exam studying

8. Kaplan Qbank  Separate user interface  Questions test details  2400 Questions  3 months for $189  Note: I started with Kaplan and used U- World once I’d finished Kaplan Qbank.  Separate user interface  Questions test details  2400 Questions  3 months for $189  Note: I started with Kaplan and used U- World once I’d finished Kaplan Qbank.

9. Where do I start? I used Vinny Dhillon, MS4’s schedule:  Week 1: Biochemistry/Genetics, Path  Week 2: Endocrine + Repro  Week 3: Heme/Immunology + Embryo/GA  Week 4/7: Neuro + Psych/Behavioral  Week 5: Cardio + Renal  Week 6: GI + Respiratory  *Study consistently throughout each system (as applicable): Pharmacology, Micro, some Pathology and GA I used Vinny Dhillon, MS4’s schedule:  Week 1: Biochemistry/Genetics, Path  Week 2: Endocrine + Repro  Week 3: Heme/Immunology + Embryo/GA  Week 4/7: Neuro + Psych/Behavioral  Week 5: Cardio + Renal  Week 6: GI + Respiratory  *Study consistently throughout each system (as applicable): Pharmacology, Micro, some Pathology and GA

10. In addition to reading  QBank every night  40-50 questions/night on average  Review the answers to each question and add material to your FirstAid if necessary  Remember that in the beginning, you’re using QBank as a learning tool, not a test of your knowledge  QBank every night  40-50 questions/night on average  Review the answers to each question and add material to your FirstAid if necessary  Remember that in the beginning, you’re using QBank as a learning tool, not a test of your knowledge

11. When to take the test  Most students aim for the week of June 14th +/- 1 week  Consider your learning style, how ready you feel toward the middle of ICS and how much time you want off before 3rd year  Aim to take your test on time. Pushing it back becomes a vicious cycle.  Most students aim for the week of June 14th +/- 1 week  Consider your learning style, how ready you feel toward the middle of ICS and how much time you want off before 3rd year  Aim to take your test on time. Pushing it back becomes a vicious cycle.

12. Registration  Register this month, spots fill up quickly  Apply for a testing permit through the NBME website  Testing permits are in 3 month blocks, i.e. May-July or June-August  Once you’ve received your permit, pick a test date at a Prometrics center  Register this month, spots fill up quickly  Apply for a testing permit through the NBME website  Testing permits are in 3 month blocks, i.e. May-July or June-August  Once you’ve received your permit, pick a test date at a Prometrics center

13. Extra preparation  Practice “Free 150” exam at a Prometrics center  Practice sessions are held at Prometrics centers so you can get used to the environment  $52 fee  Separate registration permit from the actual exam  The exam materials are available for free even if you don’t register for a practice session  Practice “Free 150” exam at a Prometrics center  Practice sessions are held at Prometrics centers so you can get used to the environment  $52 fee  Separate registration permit from the actual exam  The exam materials are available for free even if you don’t register for a practice session

14. Extra prep. continued  Figure out what you want to eat on test day  Try out these foods ahead of time and make sure they agree with you  Bring snacks with you to the test center, buying lunch is risky  Start waking up at the time you’ll need to wake up on test day at least 1 week in advance  Bring a jacket, the test centers are cold  Plan something fun after the exam, no matter what you deserve to celebrate!  Figure out what you want to eat on test day  Try out these foods ahead of time and make sure they agree with you  Bring snacks with you to the test center, buying lunch is risky  Start waking up at the time you’ll need to wake up on test day at least 1 week in advance  Bring a jacket, the test centers are cold  Plan something fun after the exam, no matter what you deserve to celebrate!

15. Things to remember  Studying for the USMLE is a long, time- intensive process  You’ve been preparing for this test since August of 2008, even if you didn’t know it!  Everyone doubts themselves and feels overwhelmed at some point while preparing  Our school does very well historically, you too stand to do well  Studying for the USMLE is a long, time- intensive process  You’ve been preparing for this test since August of 2008, even if you didn’t know it!  Everyone doubts themselves and feels overwhelmed at some point while preparing  Our school does very well historically, you too stand to do well