Step 1 score - 254 Duration - 1 year

USMLE USMLE 1
#1

Step 1 score - 254

Duration - 1 year

Date -24 june

I’m a student ( not a graduate )

Materials used::

  1. UW +FA + PATHOMA ( the most high yield )

  2. BnB ( i had no time for kaplan so, started with this , its really good and strengthen ur basics)

  3. 100 ethics + khans ethics

  4. Sketchy Micro

  5. Sketchy pharma (only difficult to recall drugs)

  6. Uw biostat review

  7. Q banks

a.UW

b. Rx( only hard qs)

c. Amboss( only hard qs)

Uw 2x + “uw best notes”-1x :: 1st pass - 69% , 2nd pass 92%

FA :: minimum 4x

Self Assessment scores::

Nbme 1 : >50 mistakes , 9 months out offline

Nbme 6 : 30 mistakes , 7 months out offline

Nbme 15 : 240 , 5 months out

Nbme 16 :240 , 4 months out

Nbme 17 : < 25 mistakes offline

Nbme 19 :<15 mistakes offline

Nbme 20 : 240 , 2 months out

Nbme 21 :248 , 1 month out

Nbme 18 : 252 , 1 wk out

Uwsa 1 : 262 , 1 month out

Uwsa 2 : 262 , 1 wk out

Amboss : 264

( i dont remember rest of the Nbme scores )

Journey :::

All started with reading about 50-100 EXAM experiences

Started with Bnb nd Fa

Did UW from the very beginning( that helped a lot in Critical thinking)

Used GOOGLE and MEDBULLETS ( they created an excellent data base )

1 yr out :

FA 2x +UW 1x - 7 months ( with some gaps in between)

5 months out

Nbme + FA + Rx + ethics

3 months out

Nbme + Amboss + UW wrongs

2 month out

Uw + Nbme + uwsa + pathoma + ECG + heart sounds

1 day out

Just some revisions of tough to remember topics

Nd slept well for 8 hours

Xm day

Planned for breaks after each block but couldnot get it . so 2+2+2+1 (2-3 minutes on the desk of break between each 2)

EXAM ::

Mixed short , medium ( maxinum) and lonngggg qs . Marked 10-15 q per block . Fnished each block with 12-15 minutes in hand . utilized all the break time .

At the end of the day it will test ur Perseverance , Knowledge , critical thinking , time management skills and many more .

STRATEGIES AND ADVICES

Remember :: U will get what u DESERVE , not what u WANT

  1. 1st 4 chap of Pathoma r super high yield

  2. Gain concepts from UW , core concepts r gonna help u in exam in case of WTF qs and Doubtful or Marked qs

  3. Try to remember the CRUX of everything given in FA and UW . if anything isnt clear from FA , google it .( search “ hox gene USMLE” )

  4. It is a test of BASIC KNOWLEDGES . So know the basics very well .Most of us make the mistake of cramming tough tough info ( which r not in FA ) but forgot to gain the basic knowledge . 1st secure ur 90% of the xm then go for the tough 10%.

  5. Do FA at least 3 times with QUALITY READING each time

  6. Do UW 2 times and the wrong ones 3-4 times

  7. Master UFAP ( UW + FA + Pathoma )

  8. Start the DEDICATED PERIOD from the very beginning

  9. Donot UNNECESSARY delay your xm.

  10. Trust ur Nbme scores ( if u simulate those correctly)

  11. Try to study with study partner( at least 1) it will give u diff perspective of the same thing

  12. Do as many qs as u can , it will improve ur thinking nd recalling power within the stipulated time

  13. Try to finish 1 nbme block with minimum 15 mins in hand (finish it within 1 hr). It will help u with time management so that u dont have to think about this skill on xm day

  14. Try to give 2 blocks back to back with a gap of 2-3 minutes in between ( cz in real deal u may not have time to take a break after each block cz the sign in-out process will take 2-3 min by itself )

  15. In last 1 month read ur strong areas @beginning and then ur weak areas and Biochem , Micro @end of the month

On xm day

  1. Wear loose shirt nd pant with less no of pockets

  2. Sandals ( not covered shoes)

  3. Sleep well the previous day cz it will make a diff as high as 10 points

  4. Pee , eat @each break ( keep urself calm )

  5. Forget about the previous block

  6. Practice in such a way that One block does not affect others and one q in a block does not affect others . it will make a diff of about 5-6 points

  7. Stop your Distractors @ 1 month before xm ( my distractor was Music ,i stopped listening to it)

  8. Utilize all 60 min break time. If u have excess break time before the last block just sit calmly.

Post xm PTSD ::

It happens . U have to be calm . Do whatever u like to do . Spend time with ur family ,friends

ALL THE BEST . ROCK IT