UWSA 1 – 277 15 days out
USWA 2 – 273 4 days out
Free 120 – 94% correct 10 days out
NBME 22 – 263 1 month out
Preparation time
8 months with job and 3 months dedicated study period
Source material
i. FA 2019 – one round – second round was on/off with Anki
ii. Anki – Zanki deck and Pepper deck for Microbiology – last 3 months only did Anki
iii. Sketchy Microbio
iv. Sketchy Pharmacology
v. Becker Epidemiology Biostatistics and Psychiatry
vi. Boards and beyond – cardiology and neurology only
vii. UW online – brought for 6 months used for last 4 months – read explanation only once –
second round was for questions practice only
Daily routine during dedicated period
i. Morning 7-10 am – UW 2/3 random blocks timed mode
ii. During the day – Anki whole day everyday – gets overwhelming sometime
iii. Evening – FA reading one to two hours
Before exam
I. Saw DirtyUSMLE Top Biohacks for exam
II. Follow what he says – it works
Exam day
i. Reach center 1 hour before
ii. Pack lunch
iii. Once you start it will end very soon
My best advice
Give Anki a try you won’t regret it
Step 2 CK – 272
UWSA 1 – 276 10 days out
UWSA 2 – 273 5 days out
Free 120 old – 90% (did these 15 days before my original date which was 5 months before lockdown)
Free 120 new – 79%% 2 months out (was not studying during this time due to lockdown)
Preparation time
6 months of dedicated study – lockdown – 3 months loss and complete break in preparation due to
Prometric closure and cancellation of exam – COVID situation – didn’t have the motivation to study –
after date was fixed studied for 50 days and gave exam – though was not sure if the center would open
up – really stressful period
Source material
i. UW online – made my own notes – very grateful to UW for extending my subscription
during Covid pandemic – did UW 2 times – first round – 78-80% – second round – 95% - did
UW in random timed mode during first round as well as second round – read explanation
during first round – second round was just for question solving and reading educational
objective only – this is the best resource
ii. Amboss library – I think this is a note made from uptodate – if you don’t have notes then
you can use this – really useful
iii. Uptodate – use summary and recommendation of uptodate for all important topics – UW is
bit deficient in treatment portion of major diseases
iv. FA 2019
Daily routine during last 50 days
i. Morning 7-10 – UW question random timed mode – read educational objective only
ii. Afternoon – note revision
iii. Evening – discussion with study partner
Before exam and on exam day
i. Same as step 1
ii. Felt a lot more tiring than Step 1
iii. Pack enough food – I was really hungry in last block – could not concentrate therefore
My best advice
UW is gold standard resource – add Uptodate’s summary and recommendation to it