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Well, it really feels good to post this because after a really rough time coming to terms with having to retake Step 1, I have finally passed it. My dean called me in right after I took my pediatrics midterm, so needless to say I was so happy I almost fainted. Anyway, I wanted to post what I did in hopes that it may be of some benefit to those who are in my ballpark, you know, the lower end of the spectrum.
1st take at Step 1...150's
Here's what I did. I focused almost entirely on the kaplan pathology book, first aid and a little bit of Qbank. I knew those books cold. You tell me the page number and I tell you what's on it. That obviously didn't work.
2nd time at Step 1...180's
This time, I took a step back and really came to terms with what I didn't know. I realized that I knew many things, but not enough to feel confident about doing well. So I started from the beginning. I sat through Kaplan for 1 month just listening to the live lectures and completing my notes in my kaplan books. After that was over, it was all up to me. What I didn't do the first time was enough questions. So from the beginning I said that I am not going to use Qbank as a gauge of how well I'm prepared, instead I am going to use it as a learning tool. That alone decreased my stress level, so I used the same thinking for all of my question sources. All in all, I did about 5000 questions over the course of 5 months. Here's my sources from most to least helpful:
1) Robbins path question book...It's been said all over this forum, this book is the bomb.
2) WebPath...same as #1
3) Qbank...I didn't find it very useful, I actually stopped using it.
4) All PreTest books...useful, but very difficult.
To supplement my Kaplan I used the Goljan audio lectures. This by far was the most useful part of my learning because I thought I got a good base from Kaplan and "Ole" Goljan cemented everything together. I cannot stress this enough, Listen to Goljan and don't move on until you wholeheartedly understand him. Don't fool yourself into thinking that you will pass just by memorizing facts. You must know the concepts of medicine in order to get by this exam.
When I was done with Goljan I did the NBME exams all in order. When you do these, and yes do them ALL. Learn from them, just dont take them, learn the way they ask questions, learn the way they come up with answer choices, learn everything you can from them because they are the ones writing your exam.
NBME 1: low 180's
NMBE 2: mid 180's
NBME 3: mid 180's
NBME 4: low 190's
After each exam, use the breakdown of your strength and weaknesses they show you. It's YOUR performance so use it to your advantage. All in all I studied about 5 months and I would say that it wasn't the amount of time I used to study, it was they method in which I did. The hardest part for me was studying a way I wasn't used to, doing 1000's of questions. At first I was so happy that I passed, but them I said you know I really thought I would have done better. But then I realized, I brought my score up 35 points in 5 months when the average pass rate for a "repeater" is very low. That made me feel really happy about my score. It should also tell you that anyone can raise their score if you use your resources to your advantage.
One more thing, I have to take my hat off to those scoring crazy scores we hear so much on SDN. Some of my friends have also scored really well like in the 250 range and it's amazing to me how one studies to score those numbers. I have a whole new respect for all of you.
Newly minted MSIII, man that has a nice ring to it.😀
1st take at Step 1...150's
Here's what I did. I focused almost entirely on the kaplan pathology book, first aid and a little bit of Qbank. I knew those books cold. You tell me the page number and I tell you what's on it. That obviously didn't work.
2nd time at Step 1...180's
This time, I took a step back and really came to terms with what I didn't know. I realized that I knew many things, but not enough to feel confident about doing well. So I started from the beginning. I sat through Kaplan for 1 month just listening to the live lectures and completing my notes in my kaplan books. After that was over, it was all up to me. What I didn't do the first time was enough questions. So from the beginning I said that I am not going to use Qbank as a gauge of how well I'm prepared, instead I am going to use it as a learning tool. That alone decreased my stress level, so I used the same thinking for all of my question sources. All in all, I did about 5000 questions over the course of 5 months. Here's my sources from most to least helpful:
1) Robbins path question book...It's been said all over this forum, this book is the bomb.
2) WebPath...same as #1
3) Qbank...I didn't find it very useful, I actually stopped using it.
4) All PreTest books...useful, but very difficult.
To supplement my Kaplan I used the Goljan audio lectures. This by far was the most useful part of my learning because I thought I got a good base from Kaplan and "Ole" Goljan cemented everything together. I cannot stress this enough, Listen to Goljan and don't move on until you wholeheartedly understand him. Don't fool yourself into thinking that you will pass just by memorizing facts. You must know the concepts of medicine in order to get by this exam.
When I was done with Goljan I did the NBME exams all in order. When you do these, and yes do them ALL. Learn from them, just dont take them, learn the way they ask questions, learn the way they come up with answer choices, learn everything you can from them because they are the ones writing your exam.
NBME 1: low 180's
NMBE 2: mid 180's
NBME 3: mid 180's
NBME 4: low 190's
After each exam, use the breakdown of your strength and weaknesses they show you. It's YOUR performance so use it to your advantage. All in all I studied about 5 months and I would say that it wasn't the amount of time I used to study, it was they method in which I did. The hardest part for me was studying a way I wasn't used to, doing 1000's of questions. At first I was so happy that I passed, but them I said you know I really thought I would have done better. But then I realized, I brought my score up 35 points in 5 months when the average pass rate for a "repeater" is very low. That made me feel really happy about my score. It should also tell you that anyone can raise their score if you use your resources to your advantage.
One more thing, I have to take my hat off to those scoring crazy scores we hear so much on SDN. Some of my friends have also scored really well like in the 250 range and it's amazing to me how one studies to score those numbers. I have a whole new respect for all of you.
Newly minted MSIII, man that has a nice ring to it.😀
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