2nd Yr/ Step 1 Plan

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wjs010

wjs010

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So, I have read several threads that are several years old, and I just want to get an updated plan, not just for Step 1, but 2nd year as well. here are the things I will be using: First Aid, probably USMLE Rx, definitely UWORLD, BRS phys, RR Goljan path, pathoma, anki.

If I have it right, I should use first aid along with classes, as well as do about 20 questions per day on some question bank all the way up until about January, then start UWORLD?

Some people say do USMLE Rx all the way up until dedicated study time , while others say just do UWORLD the whole year. Which is best and why?

If I'm using brosencephalon's anki deck, how do I fit that into 2nd year studying, and should I even do this?

I'd love to have a nice timeline of what and when to study, because its nice to have a plan before all of this crazy crap starts. Any input will be greatly appreciated
 
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I'm an M2 like you so take everything I say with a grain of salt but my strategy in regards to the prep is to really focus in class material most importantly, while letting board stuff be secondary until after Christmas.

I'm using FA in conjunction with lectures and I'm also using 2 Qbanks as well. One will be used in coordination with each system block and another will be used for random testing. I'm also using the bro deck but I've been doing some here and there during this summer. My advice is to do like 20 a day and it'll add up or you can do them in coordination with your blocks and do more (50/ day).

From my research on the forums, I would hold off On uworld until dedicated or at least spring break. It's the primary tool for studying and you don't want to waste it's usefulness during your first pass of it.

Another thing is to not do too much too soon so you don't burn out. So my advice would be to dedicate a small amount of time to board prep initially and slowly start adding hours as the time comes. Remember that those who do well are those that have a strong foundation from lecture so don't neglect that my friend. Good luck!
 
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allojay said:
I'm an M2 like you so take everything I say with a grain of salt but my strategy in regards to the prep is to really focus in class material most importantly, while letting board stuff be secondary until after Christmas.

I'm using FA in conjunction with lectures and I'm also using 2 Qbanks as well. One will be used in coordination with each system block and another will be used for random testing. I'm also using the bro deck but I've been doing some here and there during this summer. My advice is to do like 20 a day and it'll add up or you can do them in coordination with your blocks and do more (50/ day).

From my research on the forums, I would hold off On uworld until dedicated or at least spring break. It's the primary tool for studying and you don't want to waste it's usefulness during your first pass of it.

Another thing is to not do too much too soon so you don't burn out. So my advice would be to dedicate a small amount of time to board prep initially and slowly start adding hours as the time comes. Remember that those who do well are those that have a strong foundation from lecture so don't neglect that my friend. Good luck!
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Thanks for your reply. So, you mean you are gonna do Rx ? How much anki are you gonna do? Good luck to you too. Also, I always see "annotate first aid," but I don't know exactly what that means. Annotate at the end where it says "notes?" Or just add details from class and other materials to the relevant pages in first aid
 
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No problem!

I already started doing the Kaplan Q bank during M1 in coordination with my blocks since my school uses NBME's for our testing. But I'm definitely using RX when M2 starts. My plan is to use the Kaplan banks with lectures and RX for step prep sessions, so I can drill in FA. As far as anki, I'm already doing about 30 cards a day. When classes start, I'll probably be getting anywhere from 50-100/ day but I'm aiming on doing 50. To answer your question with the annotations, I also had the same thoughts and came across a legit reddit post that explains it well.

https://www.reddit.com/r/step1/comments/3fa6i3/259_on_step_1_a_catalogued_journey/

This person (scored a 259) actually mapped out their step I study plan and I'm definitely looking at incorporating a lot of his/ her strategies into my board prep. Check it out in its entirety and you'll see how they explain good versus bad annotations. The person made it for the incoming M2's at his school so his post is more than relevant. But to answer your question in short: NO annotations from lecture stuff!
 
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Also a new M2, so I look forward to seeing more replies here.

My tentative plan is to skim FA and use USMLE-Rx along with M2 classes. I will also be using Pathoma. I'm not sure how many questions I'll do from the Qbank per day yet. I've also been doing 50 or so new Brosencephalon cards per day (and no more than 100 reviews/day) of just M1 material, and it has been entirely manageable so far. I remember essentially nothing from M1, so if nothing else this just calms my nerves. Will be using UWorld for my dedicated period.
 
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Another M2 here, almost done with summer break.

I hope my plan is not overambitious, but I would like to keep up with FA/Pathoma + Q's from USMLE Rx during the first semester. I am holding back on UWorld until closer to dedicated study. This is because I have heard repeatedly that UWorld is one of the most valuable resources, and so it makes perfect sense to me that it should be saved until later on. After all, my primary focus will be on M2 classes this semester. It just doesn't make sense to have Step 1 on the forefront of my mind for ~10 whole months.
 
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Entadus said:
Another M2 here, almost done with summer break.

I hope my plan is not overambitious, but I would like to keep up with FA/Pathoma + Q's from USMLE Rx during the first semester. I am holding back on UWorld until closer to dedicated study. This is because I have heard repeatedly that UWorld is one of the most valuable resources, and so it makes perfect sense to me that it should be saved until later on. After all, my primary focus will be on M2 classes this semester. It just doesn't make sense to have Step 1 on the forefront of my mind for ~10 whole months.
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This is identical to my plan.
 
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Entadus said:
Another M2 here, almost done with summer break.

I hope my plan is not overambitious, but I would like to keep up with FA/Pathoma + Q's from USMLE Rx during the first semester. I am holding back on UWorld until closer to dedicated study. This is because I have heard repeatedly that UWorld is one of the most valuable resources, and so it makes perfect sense to me that it should be saved until later on. After all, my primary focus will be on M2 classes this semester. It just doesn't make sense to have Step 1 on the forefront of my mind for ~10 whole months.
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This exactly my plan too! so looks like we're all on the same page haha
 
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Thanks guys for your responses. As for dedicated prep time, is it generally best to start in January? Also, for the ones using pathoma, what is your reason for not using goljan?
 
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wjs010 said:
Thanks guys for your responses. As for dedicated prep time, is it generally best to start in January? Also, for the ones using pathoma, what is your reason for not using goljan?
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I read goljan during the year for probably 70% of the material. It's pretty time consuming during dedicated, IMO. I'm a big goljan fan in general though. It's a great reference for things like murmurs, etc. I also listened to the audio while working out during M2 super casually.
 
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Entadus said:
Another M2 here, almost done with summer break.

I hope my plan is not overambitious, but I would like to keep up with FA/Pathoma + Q's from USMLE Rx during the first semester. I am holding back on UWorld until closer to dedicated study. This is because I have heard repeatedly that UWorld is one of the most valuable resources, and so it makes perfect sense to me that it should be saved until later on. After all, my primary focus will be on M2 classes this semester. It just doesn't make sense to have Step 1 on the forefront of my mind for ~10 whole months.
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Lol, +3. Though I'm thingking I'm going to drop one of those things (likely FA) because I'm also trying to stay on top of firecracker.
 
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CyberMaxx said:
Lol, +3. Though I'm thingking I'm going to drop one of those things (likely FA) because I'm also trying to stay on top of firecracker.
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Everybody says the backbone at least is FA/pathoma. I wouldn't throw away first aid. Then again, I created this thread because I'm clueless on how to prepare for boards lol
 
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wjs010 said:
Thanks guys for your responses. As for dedicated prep time, is it generally best to start in January? Also, for the ones using pathoma, what is your reason for not using goljan?
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"Dedicated" is when you are done with classes and only studying for boards. Some people start in January and study alongside classes but don't get that confused with "dedicated".
 
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I'm curious as to HOW I should be using Rx during the school year. Since, we haven't covered most of the systems should we still be doing random sets or should we be doing subject specific?
 
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Fellow OMS2 here. Currently feeling my way around a good study plan but it seems to naturally have become Pathoma/First Aid/Rx Questions per system. My school also provides a COMLEX-focused Qbank, so I'll roll through those systems questions as well since they include osteopathic principles. There's a lot I could probably be going over from OMS1 as well, but I did a FA pass of all that material over the summer in hopes to keep it somewhat fresh when spring rolls around.

As for Rx, I've started to roll through the system (i.e. Cardio), putting in an avid attempt for each question, but marking all the material that I know won't be covered in the current block. This way I can go back and unmark as the semester progresses.

Many of those whom I've spoken with say the best advice they could give is to really knock classes out of the park and drill FA into your brain class by class. Dedicated shouldn't be so bad 🙂
 
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Rx is based on first aid though, so if you like question based learning it would be a great way to start drilling in first aid.
 
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Lunzio said:
Fellow OMS2 here. Currently feeling my way around a good study plan but it seems to naturally have become Pathoma/First Aid/Rx Questions per system. My school also provides a COMLEX-focused Qbank, so I'll roll through those systems questions as well since they include osteopathic principles. There's a lot I could probably be going over from OMS1 as well, but I did a FA pass of all that material over the summer in hopes to keep it somewhat fresh when spring rolls around.

As for Rx, I've started to roll through the system (i.e. Cardio), putting in an avid attempt for each question, but marking all the material that I know won't be covered in the current block. This way I can go back and unmark as the semester progresses.

Many of those whom I've spoken with say the best advice they could give is to really knock classes out of the park and drill FA into your brain class by class. Dedicated shouldn't be so bad 🙂
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When should pathoma/brs physio be read? Before each class as a pre read? Also, do you pre read with FA?
 
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wjs010 said:
When should pathoma/brs physio be read? Before each class as a pre read? Also, do you pre read with FA?
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I always pre-read lectures before I go to them, so I've been sliding in the relevant Pathoma and First Aid sections in those read-throughs. It's probably overkill but by the time lecture comes around I have a solid framework.
 
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Lunzio said:
I always pre-read lectures before I go to them, so I've been sliding in the relevant Pathoma and First Aid sections in those read-throughs. It's probably overkill but by the time lecture comes around I have a solid framework.
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Gotcha
 
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wjs010 said:
did you read this? If so, am i going crazy or did I see that this person did like 9 passes through FA? I'm a little confused on how that is even possible. He said "most people" do 3 complete passes during the dedicated period...again, does this literally mean reading FA 3 times? How is that even possible?
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Depends how fast you can read it and still retain the information. I did 2 thorough passes during dedicated but I took it slow. 9 passes isn't too much of a stretch if you count using first aid alongside classes and qbanks.
 
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dfib slim said:
Depends how fast you can read it and still retain the information. I did 2 thorough passes during dedicated but I took it slow. 9 passes isn't too much of a stretch if you count using first aid alongside classes and qbanks.
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Yea but realistically you're only doing like 1 pass through your systems pretty much. To clarify, you're talking cover to cover? Lol
 
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wjs010 said:
Yea but realistically you're only doing like 1 pass through your systems pretty much. To clarify, you're talking cover to cover? Lol
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2-3 during systems. I usually had it open next to the powerpoint and would go back and forth between the two. Not strictly cover to cover. Whatever the school didn't get into I saved for dedicated or when I started qbanks.
 
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My plan:

Doing USMLE-Rx right now with my classes (path, pharm and micro)... Will redo physio and neuro during Christmas break since I was weak on these subjects... Will do FA/Rx, Pathoma and Uworld for the 8 weeks that the school give us to study for step1...

I plan to do 100 questions/day during my 2-months dedicated study time and go over every single question thoroughly, will that be enough?
 
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W19 said:
My plan:

Doing USMLE-Rx right now with my classes (path, pharm and micro)... Will redo physio and neuro during Christmas break since I was weak on these subjects... Will do FA/Rx, Pathoma and Uworld for the 8 weeks that the school give us to study for step1...

I plan to do 100 questions/day during my 2-months dedicated study time and go over every single question thoroughly, will that be enough?
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Man that sounds greats but teach me how to study over Christmas break..?
 
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wjs010 said:
Man that sounds greats but teach me how to study over Christmas break..?
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I know it will be difficult, but we are talking about a high stake exam here... I met with an adviser at my school that tracks students' performance in class(es) vs step1 and he told me that he has seen a strong correlation between physio/neuroanatomy and step 1 score...

I will have 3 weeks Christmas break, so I can use 2 out of that 3 weeks to do Physio and and neuroanatomy in US-Rx...
 
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W19 said:
I know it will be difficult, but we are talking about a high stake exam here... I met with an adviser at my school that tracks students' performance in class(es) vs step1 and he told me that he has seen a strong correlation between physio/neuroanatomy and step 1 score...

I will have 3 weeks Christmas break, so I can use 2 out of that 3 weeks to do Physio and and neuroanatomy in US-Rx...
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And I thought I was disciplined. I don't think I could do that... Christmas break is so needed. But kudos to you if you can do both of those in 2 weeks
 
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That physio/neuroanatomy correlation could be also due to them usually being some of the tougher preclinical courses (ie people who do better in tough courses = higher score on step)
 
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TwinsFan said:
That physio/neuroanatomy correlation could be also due to them usually being some of the tougher preclinical courses (ie people who do better in tough courses = higher score on step)
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That was my 'thinking' as well... These classes were crazy! especially neuro, which was a 6-week course at my school.
 
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W19 said:
I hated neuro as well since I struggled big time in that class... But I was told that neuro/physio are what separate a 240+ student from a 220 in step 1...
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I highly doubt that. Physio, path, and pharm are the king of step. As well as being great at embryo/molecular. I hear usmle likes these last two, and comlex is a little different. But no, it's not like Neuro will be a dominant subject. Focus on physio, path, pharm, embryo, and molecular. But of course patch up Neuro if it needs work. I know I need work in that too!
 
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wjs010 said:
I highly doubt that. Physio, path, and pharm are the king of step. As well as being great at embryo/molecular. I hear usmle likes these last two, and comlex is a little different. But no, it's not like Neuro will be a dominant subject. Focus on physio, path, pharm, embryo, and molecular. But of course patch up Neuro if it needs work. I know I need work in that too!
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idk, but looking at the COMLEX thread, some people claim that they had a very Neuro dense version. It's a crapshoot. Just try to be prepared for anything.
 
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Hey guys, I'm also a current MS2 researching board ideas. I'm looking into USMLE Rx and not sure what to make of it. Do you guys use the flash facts, the qmax questions, or the videos, or all three? I'm trying to find something to help me get through FA before I do Uworld in the spring semester. thanks!
 
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cronaldo7 said:
Hey guys, I'm also a current MS2 researching board ideas. I'm looking into USMLE Rx and not sure what to make of it. Do you guys use the flash facts, the qmax questions, or the videos, or all three? I'm trying to find something to help me get through FA before I do Uworld in the spring semester. thanks!
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Just using qmax. Of course later use uworld. It's the best
 
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I'm using both the Qbank and the flashcards of USMLE Rx. I love them. I save the questions for the weekend before my exams. After studying for my block exam, I test my knowledge using the Qbank questions on that system. For the flashcards, I mix topics I have already covered in class and run throw them, usually 30-50cards at a time. They are very good review to keep the material the fresh in your head.

I don't have time for the videos.
 
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I bought Rx thinking I would be able to do questions with classes but I've been slacking hardcore! I have barely done any questions from qbanks. I have been doing questions form BRS and Robbins to study for my class study but that's it. I have been off and on with Firecraker but not as consistent as I would like!

Kinda frustrated at myself for not having kept up with questions mainly because I have the time if I make it. I've just been lazy about that.

I have done DIT videos for all the systems we've covered in class so far though.
 
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gobigorgohome22 said:
I bought Rx thinking I would be able to do questions with classes but I've been slacking hardcore! I have barely done any questions from qbanks. I have been doing questions form BRS and Robbins to study for my class study but that's it. I have been off and on with Firecraker but not as consistent as I would like!

Kinda frustrated at myself for not having kept up with questions mainly because I have the time if I make it. I've just been lazy about that.

I have done DIT videos for all the systems we've covered in class so far though.
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It's ok. I'm in the same boat. Besides, it's hard to do questions on topics you haven't covered yet. Therefore, I usually do half the questions of one system the weekend before my block exam. In winter break, I'm planning on going back to systems I covered during my first year do the questions.
 
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gobigorgohome22 said:
I bought Rx thinking I would be able to do questions with classes but I've been slacking hardcore! I have barely done any questions from qbanks. I have been doing questions form BRS and Robbins to study for my class study but that's it. I have been off and on with Firecraker but not as consistent as I would like!

Kinda frustrated at myself for not having kept up with questions mainly because I have the time if I make it. I've just been lazy about that.

I have done DIT videos for all the systems we've covered in class so far though.
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Robbins path Q&A and Lippincott's pharm Q&A are good IMO... I don't think you are missing that much if you do these questions...
 
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One of the reasons i haven't done questions is that i've heard you can only do a question certain amount of times (~2?). I dont want to "waste" my questions right now and not be able to do them again starting Jan.

Ibn Alnafis MD said:
It's ok. I'm in the same boat. Besides, it's hard to do questions on topics you haven't covered yet. Therefore, I usually do half the questions of one system the weekend before my block exam. In winter break, I'm planning on going back to systems I covered during my first year do the questions.
Click to expand...

W19 said:
Robbins path Q&A and Lippincott's pharm Q&A are good IMO... I don't think you are missing that much if you do these questions...
Click to expand...
 
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