The numbers
NBME Basic Science Diagnostic Exam: 195
NBME 7: 203
USMLEworld: 62% Cumulative (started 50% ish, started getting around 65%s towards the end) (Only did about 1100-1200 questions total)
Actual exam: 247/99 (holy crap!
)
Test day
I got there way early with a couple of friends so we were reviewing the FA pictures and some of the higher yield stuff (Embryo, Pharm antidotes, adverse reactions, and those "if everything else fails" micro sections in First Aid). My blocks seemed fairly easy and nothing came really out of left field except for some behavioral science question prompts. Some guy was coughing and sneezing like a felon behind me, which was distracting, but I was almost too amped up to care. I freaked out after the test because I didn't study
any heart blood vessel anatomy and I had four questions on it where I just had to completely guess. I left the test feeling OK but sort of dejected that I possibly lost about 10 points on my Step 1 from those questions, but obviously, it worked out okay.
Leading up to the score release, I totally forgot about it, and when I clicked on the NBME website, I was literally shaking in fear. When I saw the 247, which was 44 points higher than my highest practice exam, I went to my roommate's room and screamed in joy.
Study habits:
I used mostly First Aid and USMLEworld.
I used RR Biochem, but that was totally unnecessary (thanks Taus
).
I did NOT use CMMRS, and it was completely unnecessary as well. First Aid and World was totally enough for all micro.
RR path was only to look at pictures and sometimes things in USMLEworld that were not in FA. Goljan Audio was useful and highly recommended if you have time.
I was feeling pretty crappy until the last three days where I just sat down and started reviewing pharm and just speeding through First Aid again, doing a few questions from the section I just reviewed (ex. finished reviewing cardio, doing 5 questions after selecting just CV questions). I started getting 80-100% on the little mini-sections I was doing, and that really boosted my confidence for test day. Despite what Taus said, I studied until the bitter end, because I couldn't fathom just relaxing the day before. Took an Ambien at 10:30PM, couldn't fall asleep until 12:30AM nevertheless. Woke up at 5:30AM and left at 7:15AM for a 9:00AM exam.
My advice for future test takers
* Study.
Study hard. Seriously, don't slack off, because procrastination hurts 100 times more in Step 1 studying time.
* Don't take time off that wasn't sanctioned by your planned schedule, because doing that just created vortexes of regret that took me days to get out of.
* Set aside a certain amount of time a day to study. For me, it was 48 questions per day then 4-6 hours of studying depending on how tired I was. Stick to it, and when you're done, close all your books and relax. You put in your work, you earned your relaxation time.
*
First Aid and USMLEworld. These are the only two resources you need to get the score I got. I barely used RR path (too boring) except for pictures and things that USMLEworld referenced that FA didn't have at all.
- Corollary 1: USMLEworld is the single most important friend you have with Step 1. Finish as many questions as you can. Read through the ENTIRE explanation, both right and WRONG answers.
Understand the question in its entirety, and you will be a superstar.
Tutor mode is total trash. Do the 48 question blocks at one time (or 46 if you're trying to be accurate).
- Corollary 2: Know First Aid. Particularly golden are its Biochem, Micro and Pharm sections (yes, the big section in the beginning of the book and all the little ones in the systems). Know the Pharm COLD, you WILL get asked questions about this.
* On the topic of understanding, I thought
Goljan Audio was epic and awesome. RR Path, dense and tough to get through, not worth it unless you want that 265. Goljan Audio, pretty much the easiest listening you will have in medical school. Goljan knows how to explain and emulsify the information into a substance that is easily consumed by our feeble minds. If you have the time and you know you will finish FA and USMLEworld, Goljan Audio is the next thing you should do.
* I do believe I gained most of my points in my final frantic run-through of First Aid in the last 3 days. I am now a believer in repetition to the fullest. Keep on readin'.
Mindset
* Don't freak out. You've been studying your hardest and you've made the most of the time you had. You know all the things you've studied. Go in there, know that you've done all you can, and answer every question to the best of your ability. Come out and be proud of what you've done. Your score doesn't matter, because you know that you have given your best effort, and that's all that you can do.
If you have any questions, PM me.
So happy!
