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Preparing for the USMLE Step 1 Exam

Detailed study schedule, resources, and tips for preparing for the USMLE Step 1 exam. Includes study timeline, general study tips, and advice on books/resources to use.

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Preparing for the USMLE Step 1 Exam

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  1. Preparing for the USMLE Step 1 Exam January 28, 2005 Sponsored by the Office of Student Counseling & Development

  2. Topics • Study Schedule Eric Edwards • Books/Resources Mike Jansen • Wellness/Coping Elizabeth Lee Sara Slovin, MS3 Student Advocate

  3. Study Schedule Eric Edwards e33@ufl.edu

  4. Overall Study Schedule Minimum of 3 weeks Maximum of 6 weeks Summer vacation Last chance! Study Schedule

  5. Study Timeline • Pre-study • Order study materials • Start with Diagnostic Test • Create your study schedule (Be realistic) • Leave room to review hardest material / annoying detail lists at end

  6. General Study Tip • You already know what works for you

  7. Typical Study Week • Recommend one day off • Be sure to include healthy servings of material review and practice questions

  8. Typical Morning • 6:30am – 7:30am • Breakfast and personal time • 7:30am – 12pm • Review • Noon – 1pm • Lunch/personal time

  9. Typical Afternoon • 1pm – 4pm • Review • 4pm – 7pm • Personal time

  10. Typical Evening • 7pm – 9:30pm • Review subject • 9:30pm – ??? Personal time

  11. Summary 3.5 weeks 21 study days + 4 free days 17 systems reviewed 210 review hours (>1 week) 8 hours of sleep each night 5 hours of personal time each day (at least)

  12. Words of Wisdom • Try to maintain a 2:1 ratio of reading hours to question hours • Save the last 4-5 days to review First Aid cover to cover • Remember to schedule time to eat, play and sleep

  13. Books and Resources Mike Jansen MJ55swim@ufl.edu

  14. Preface to “The Recommendations” • Compilation of insightful comments of talented and wise members of the c/o 2006 • Opinions presented are not necessarily my own-however feel free to email me or come find me in the BLUE room if you have more questions. • Please use/do what works for you based on the past two years-Best predictor of Step 1 score is how you did on SHELF EXAMS (my opinion). • Don’t stress – you attend an EXCELLENT medical school that has prepared you well-there will be many questions for which you could have never studied for but you can figure out because you know so much already.

  15. Books – MUST have • “First Aid for the USMLE Step 1” by Bhushan, Le, Amin • If reading only one book, this would be the one • Good overall subject review with advice on all aspects of taking the boards • Room to fill in extra notes (may want to get your own to scribble in)- This book can only take you so far. I encourage you to take notes from other sources and transfer into this book. Therefore, your last few days of studying you will have all the highest yield info in one book • Good review of most available books and resources (gives all the other review books a “grade”)

  16. Books – highly recommended • Anatomy: High Yield Anatomy • Histology: Section in First Aid is good enough-High Yield has some good pictures you might want to check out • Neuroscience: High Yield Neuroanatomy • Physiology: BRS Physiology-MUST HAVE • Biochemistry: High Yield Biochemistry • Human Behavior: High Yield Human Behavior • Pathology: BRS Pathology-MUST HAVE • Microbiology/Immunology: High Yield is great-good tips for memorization, LANGE for Immunology is probably your best bet, High Yield is OK for immunology • EBM: High Yield Human Behavior, Section from First Aid is adequate-you will just have finished EBM with Dr. Davidson-so don’t stress this topic • Pharmacology: High Yield Pharm and section in First Aid will be enough-test out on pharm shelf and and adjust accordingly

  17. Books – highly recommended(cont’d) • Kaplan Subject books for all other topics were outstanding, ESPECIALLY for pathology –I know of a few people who used Kaplan books. They did very well, however this is a very big time commitment. Caution-only for the very motivated student that needs to know everything to feel comfortable. • Underground Clinical Vignettes - total set-these are great books for quick review when you are tired of studying. Each page sets up a clinical picture for a particular disease. Then provides buzz words for labs, pathology, symptoms, drugs, treatments, etc. Great for when you are burned out towards the end.

  18. Books – not recommended • BRS books in general are far more detailed then the time you have to study for each topic. BRS Phys and Path are essential. Besides that, do what you feel comfortable with. Questions are good at end of each book. Should not be used for low yield topics though.

  19. Resources – MUST have • Kaplan’s “Q-Bank”-great way to stop studying and learn through questions. Some people did well without Q bank and some did not do as well with it. Good at the end of the night when you are tired of reading. Caution-some question are extremely difficult and too detailed. Do not get discouraged. I know classmates who got over 250 and were very discouraged with their Q bank scores before the REAL EXAM. • How many weeks to order depends on you-one month is all you really need. Adjust to your schedule

  20. Resources – highly recommended • NBME online practice test-there are 150 free questions on the internet plus I think you can buy more. Will make you feel much better about yourself compared to Q Bank. Suggest you take it as 3, 50 question tests towards end of studying. Comparable to actual boards. • Kaplan webprep (online lectures) and lecture materials- I have no clue about this. SORRY • University of Utah’s “Webpath”-some students thought it was helpful

  21. Parting thoughts: • “my best advice: a person can do nothing but Kaplan q bank and first aid and score above average.  workout/run everyday. plan a grand reward for when it's all over.” • “I felt that I spent too much time memorizing facts when the board exam I took had only a few direct regurgitation type questions.  I felt that I spent too much time memorizing the First-Aid material (i.e. anatomy/ embryology) and not enough reviewing more concept oriented books like BRS, and even textbooks.  However, I still very much recommend using the First-Aid book, because like I said it's a great starting point.“ • “I also made a list of equations that could appear (ex. alveolar air equation) and went over those a couple of days before Step 1.”

  22. Wellness and Coping Elisabeth Lee eranew@ufl.edu

  23. "One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preparation." Arthur Ashe

  24. TIPS FROM CLASS OF 2006 • daily yoga combined with nightly breathing exercises • gentle music • massages (Florida School of Massage: $20/hr) • watch many hours of “lifetime for women” • “ I only ate organic fruits and teas the entire time I studied for STEP 1” • A vegetable smoothie in the mornings • Xanax

  25. Pace yourself, it’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon… • Pick a date according to you • Make a REASONABLE schedule • Stick to the schedule but… don’t stress if it has to change • Stay focused- turn off cell phone, don’t check email every hour

  26. I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells -Dr. Seuss • Go out to dinner • See a movie, watch TV • Hit the gym • 1 day/week don’t study! • or take two ½ days DON”T FORGET TO BE YOU!!! • (the other you who’s not in med school)

  27. A sad soul can kill you quicker than a germ. -John Steinbeck • Study alone or with friends • Study in a happy place - home vs. G-ville vs. library vs. coffee shop • hint: the Education Library!!! • Change it up….Don’t get too comfortable • Take mini-breaks • set goals and reward yourself (i.e.: movies, sleep, sig. others..) • Dr. Vidaurreta is available if you need her.

  28. Just another hurdle but don’t… • Move while studying • Attempt to fix relationship problems • Order a new computer or electronic toy • Compare yourself to other classmates • Expect to know everything

  29. ZZZZZZZZ….. • Sleep is essential! • Get the perfect amount for you • Don’t change it up now! • Take a power nap if necessary

  30. The week before: • Review high yield stuff and DO QUESTIONS! • Don’t freak out and start studying 22hrs/d • Study in hour long blocks just like the board • Relax you’re almost finished!

  31. YOUR QUESTIONS! • How to juggle studying for the USMLE with our class load? • Should I cram the necessary information a few days before the exam, or should I spend time learning it? • Advice to do as the boards get closer • When to take the exam (early/late)? • Do's and Don’ts of preparing for the boards

  32. "Obstacles are those frightful things we see when we take our eyes off our goal." Henry Ford GOOD LUCK CLASS OF 2007!!!!

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