Honestly I don't think there is much to annotate from the videos. I used them as a way to force myself through a first pass of first aid. I didn't use them for all of the sections, just the ones that are hard to read through (biochem, pharm, etc.). I don't really think I learn much from the videos but it helps to have seen the pages and be somewhat familiar with them. I don't know if I'll use them at all as the test gets closer.
From admins on break times options: (The first is what they recommend, the others are based on student opinions)
Break Time during Step 1
Option A
Block 1: No break
Block 2: 5 minute break
Block 3: 5 minute break
Block 4: 30 minute lunch break
Block 5: No break
Block 6: 10 minute break
Block 7: Done!
This will leave you with an extra 10 minutes just in case they are needed.
Option B
Block 1: No break
Block 2: 5 minute break
Block 3: 5 minute break
Block 4: 25 minute lunch break
Block 5: 10 minute break
Block 6: 15 minute break
Block 7: Go home
The reason why I put more breaks between the afternoon blocks is that we usually get tired and longer breaks are extremely important to avoid exhaustion and collapse.
Option C
Block 1: No break
Block 2: 10 minute break
Block 3: No break
Block 4: 10 minute break
Block 5: No break
Block 6: 10 minute break
Block 7: Done
Every other block, I took a short break to use the restroom, grab a powerbar and drink, and stretch. You have a total of an hour to use as you want.
Option D
Block 1: 5 minute break
Block 2: 5 minute break
Block 3: 5 minute break
Block 4: 5 minute break
Block 5: 5 minute break
Block 6: 5 minute break
Block 7: finished
I had to take a break after every block. I was patting my back for skipping the tutorial and adding 15 minutes. Unfortunately, every break consumed 8-9 min (yes no matter even if you don’t do anything special during that time). It really takes time to check out, sign the paper, visit washroom, drink water, eat a chocolate very fast, come back, sign paper again, and go to the seat, ENTER THE LONG PASSWORD ON THE ORANGE CARD. In 6 breaks all my break time was utilized and I never got time to have a lavish a long break. So, know this very well while planning your breaks.
I'm just gonna assume plan C and D are so that you can get to the bar before happy hour is over.
I'm not sure.. I guess because those were what students in previous classes recommended they had some justification for finishing early. Maybe, like the last student quote said, it takes so long to log in out that that was all the time they thought they had left after..Sorry I'm not sure. Our school recommends option A and I think they just thew in the others to let us know it was flexible.
I wouldn't if I was in your position. I'd rather make sure my scores were consistent and try to keep improving. You only get one shot at the real thing.
Yeah, I think the consensus is usually latest NBMEs are best predictors; UWSAs overestimate scores.
The videos are the money. Pathoma is so popular not because of its book, but because of Dr. Sattar's great explanations. I don't know if I'd say watch them "repeatedly," but definitely watch them and make sure you drill every single fact he says into your head.
The audios are good and not difficult to incorporate into your week, so you might as well get a hold of them. I bought Rapid Review because I heard some great things about it last year. I didn't have time to use it during my path course and intended to use it now during coursework in the 6 months leading up to the exam. However, with getting through a 1st run through of FA, along with the few other things I'm doing, I've found it difficult to actually incorporate it into my schedule. It's pretty dense, but it's also great. People complain about the format, but it still reads well and things are explained better than elsewhere.
