Tips 2 Success Usmle Study Tips

15
Step 1 Study Tips Ashley Prosper, MS3 January 5, 2010

Transcript of Tips 2 Success Usmle Study Tips

Page 1: Tips 2 Success Usmle Study Tips

Step 1 Study TipsStep 1 Study Tips

Ashley Prosper, MS3

January 5, 2010

Ashley Prosper, MS3

January 5, 2010

Page 2: Tips 2 Success Usmle Study Tips

When do I start?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

Page 3: Tips 2 Success Usmle Study Tips

My decisionMy 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!

Page 4: Tips 2 Success Usmle Study Tips

What do I use? 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

Page 5: Tips 2 Success Usmle Study Tips

FIRST AIDFIRST 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)

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USMLE WorldUSMLE 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

Page 7: Tips 2 Success Usmle Study Tips

Goljan Rapid ReviewGoljan 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

Page 8: Tips 2 Success Usmle Study Tips

Kaplan QbankKaplan 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.

Page 9: Tips 2 Success Usmle Study Tips

Where do I start?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

Page 10: Tips 2 Success Usmle Study Tips

In addition to readingIn 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

Page 11: Tips 2 Success Usmle Study Tips

When to take the testWhen 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.

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RegistrationRegistration

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

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Extra preparationExtra 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

Page 14: Tips 2 Success Usmle Study Tips

Extra prep. continuedExtra 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!

Page 15: Tips 2 Success Usmle Study Tips

Things to rememberThings 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