03/02/2024
My Usmle Step1 Experience
Overview:
International Medical Graduates (IMGs) and American Graduates need to Pass Usmle Steps (Step1, Step2 CK [and OET, Step3{You can apply for match before passing Step3}]).
i was in 3rd year of medical college when i started exploring about Usmle Step1 exam hence i came across First Aid for Usmle Step1.
I started FA after 4th year but couldn't follow it with uworld because it was way too On and Off because of the semester system in Afghanistan where there is exam after each 2 months (Midterm and Final exam) but it gave me an exposure to this amazing book.
Duration:
apart from the above mentioned On&Off period i took 12 months after graduation to prepare for step1. it was very doable within 8 to 10 months but you always need ample time to prepare for step1 in order to master Step2 CK where scores are reported in 3 digits.
Resources:
First Aid For Usmle Step1
Uworld
BNB Lecture Videos
First 3 Chapters of Pathoma by Dr Sattar
Sketchy Micro for Microbiology
Randy Neil for Biostats and Pedigrees
Dirty Medicine for Ethics
Amboss ( I used it only after first pass of Uworld because i found 2nd pass of Uworld a bit of biased)
Dedicated Period
After being done with first pass of Uworld i started to give a quick read to FA (it took 40 days which i think was unnecessary and i shouldn't have taken more than 20 days to revise FA). after FA revision i restored Uworld and started it in Random, Timed mode along with Amboss (i did amboss because Uworld's answer choices were a bit predicatable in 2nd pass as mention above).
after this i started to take Self Assesments with the following order.
NBME 27
NBME 26
UWSA1
NBME28
NBME29
NBME 25 ( i know it contains more general vague topics but i strongly recommend it because it will boost your general portion)
NBME 30 and NBME31 (I took them on consecutive days because i didn't have time)
UWSA2
Free 120
My NBMEs and Free120 were in high 70s with NBME 30 and NBME 31 77% and 78% respectively.
UWSA1 and UWSA2 were 228 and 232 respecively.
Last week before exam day:
try to revise only wrong questions of NBMEs, First 3 Chapters of Pathoma and Volatile FA pages. take one day rest before exam.
Exam Day:
2 days before exam i offered 2 rakats of Thahajod which ultimately paid off. (I strongly recommend this, i guess 1000000000% necessary)
I couldn’t sleep before exam day for more than 5 hours because of unbearable thoughts and anxiety but I promise that this amount of sleep will be enough for you as adrenaline will do the rest.
Food: Bananas, Red Bulls ( I took 4!!), Nuts and Water (Water should be in a transparent bottle so that you are allowed to take it with you towards exam hall).
I took a break (7 to 10 minutes) after each block until the very last block.
Remember that the most important thing is to controle your nerves. (do 7 Random timed blocks multiple times in your last month of preparation to master this art).
