3 Weeks

[seeker28]

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Hey guys. I'm scheduled to take Step 1 in 3 weeks. I really need advice.

My original plan was to do U-World and Pathoma. I had made a schedule to cover each of the organ systems. However, I underestimated how long U-World would take me. I'm realizing that I don't know jack ****. I'm taking very long to read through the explanations because I've either forgotten too much or never learned a lot of the material. At this rate, I won't make it through U-World, and I'll have a **** ton of holes in my knowledge.

What is the best strategy for my last 3 weeks?

- Keep doing U-world (Go faster and stop reading everything. Maybe only read the learning objective to ensure I finish)

- Keep doing U-world (Pick and choose sections, read carefully, and accept that I won't finish)

- Prioritize getting superficially covering everything at least once (e.g. DIT or read Brosencephalon's Deck). Then do U-World with the time I have left.

What are your thoughts? How should I spend my last 3 weeks?

 

[Lord_Vader]

Have you done a practice UWorld or NBME comprehensive yet? That way you at least know where your weaknesses are.

 

[Serous Demilune]

Delay the date as long as possible

 

[Psai]

Keep doing U-world (Go faster and stop reading everything. only read the learning objective to ensure you finish)
watch pathoma

 

[seeker28]

Delay the date as long as possible

If I delay, I get left back a year.

I'm going to take a few nbme's soon, if I fail within 1 week of the exam, I'll probably consider it.

 

[seeker28]

Keep doing U-world (Go faster and stop reading everything. only read the learning objective to ensure you finish)
watch pathoma

I'm gonna do this I think. We'll see what happens.

However, I did consider reading first aid again before each block that I study. Even though it takes a lot of time, maybe I'll get through the explanations faster. The downside would be I would only be testing my short term memory. Which might falsely boost my score and confidence. Which could result in me taking it and failing.

 

[seeker28]

I'm gonna do my first diagnostic in a week. Would you guys recommend an NBME or the Uworld test?

 

[Flamen04]

1. Study more hours during the day
2. Do more uworld blocks during the day
3. Get off the internet and study

 

[Dave89]

I agree with the sentiment that you really need to do an NBME or two to figure out where you're holding.

If you're barely passing, I would definitely advise pushing it off. Sure, it sucks to have to take a year off, but you can use the rest of the time to do research and bulk up your resume/CV. And you'll most likely have a significantly better Step 1 score.

 

[operaman]

Do an NBME. A recent one.

You're either doing fine and just overly neurotic (like most of us here), or you may be in serious trouble. You need some real numbers ASAP so you can make some decisions.

Don't fail this exam. Especially if you're an IMG. But either way, don't fail it.

If you get held back a year, then oh well. Better to bail now and do a "research year" or something like that while you study and do this right; otherwise, you may be doing your extra year after fourth year when you don't match.

I know it would suck to drop behind a year and have to watch your classmates graduate as you finish third year, but the truth is your classmates won't even notice because they (like all of us) are too focused on their own lives to notice. Do what's best for you, even if your ego doesn't like it. A high step score is a wonderful salve for a bruised ego.

 

[seeker28]

I'm taking my first NBME on Saturday and will have 2 weeks remaining after that.

I'll have covered:
- Neuro
- Cardio
- Heme
- Respiratory
- Some biochem (via sketchymicro)

I haven't looked at anything else and am extremely weak in pharmacology and biochem. If I fail, but do okay on the sections that I've covered, will that be good enough to continue with my plan?

 

[xffan624]

I'm taking my first NBME on Saturday and will have 2 weeks remaining after that.

I'll have covered:
- Neuro
- Cardio
- Heme
- Respiratory
- Some biochem (via sketchymicro)

I haven't looked at anything else and am extremely weak in pharmacology and biochem. If I fail, but do okay on the sections that I've covered, will that be good enough to continue with my plan?

I don't think failing an NBME and then planning to take the real exam 2 weeks later is a good strategy. If you fail, that should be confirmation that you are not ready for this exam.

 

[CherryRedDracul]

I'd do the NBME ASAP to assess my strengths and weaknesses and then focuses on my weaknesses with whatever time I have left.

I was in a similarly ****ty boat where I only had 3.5 weeks to study for Step 1. I took an NBME ASAP, discovered my weaknesses, and went HAM on UWorld questions pertaining to my weak subjects; I was pushing 12-14 hours of work per day. I stuck to the basics: UWorld + Pathoma + First Aid, and got a competitive score in the end.

 

[seeker28]

I just took my first NBME today. I got a 192 on NBME 12.

It was really bad. I felt like I was guessing on most of the questions. I bombed micro and biochem.

I have 19 days. U-World plus Pathoma at 2x? Then take another NBME in a week? What more can I do?

How much can I improve in this short amount of time?

 

[seeker28]

I'd do the NBME ASAP to assess my strengths and weaknesses and then focuses on my weaknesses with whatever time I have left.

I was in a similarly ****ty boat where I only had 3.5 weeks to study for Step 1. I took an NBME ASAP, discovered my weaknesses, and went HAM on UWorld questions pertaining to my weak subjects; I was pushing 12-14 hours of work per day. I stuck to the basics: UWorld + Pathoma + First Aid, and got a competitive score in the end.

Hey thanks for sharing. I was wondering how many points you were able to improve in your last 3 weeks. Was it more than 20 points?

 

[Lord_Vader]

I just took my first NBME today. I got a 192 on NBME 12.

It was really bad. I felt like I was guessing on most of the questions. I bombed micro and biochem.

I have 19 days. U-World plus Pathoma at 2x? Then take another NBME in a week? What more can I do?

How much can I improve in this short amount of time?

Are you an FMG or US student? If you are not in the states then I would highly consider pushing your test back another month.

 

[seeker28]

Are you an FMG or US student? If you are not in the states then I would highly consider pushing your test back another month.

US student. I think I need to take it or my class will move on without me.

My plan right now is to do U-World like that other guy was saying and try to plug as many holes as possible. I think I'm gonna try to get through Pathoma. Maybe DIT for biochem because I know nothing for Biochem.

If I can do that and then take another NBME on Sunday or Monday, maybe I'll be able to bump my score up to 210 or 220. Wishful thinking most likely. But I'm hopeful.

 

[Serous Demilune]

US student. I think I need to take it or my class will move on without me.

My plan right now is to do U-World like that other guy was saying and try to plug as many holes as possible. I think I'm gonna try to get through Pathoma. Maybe DIT for biochem because I know nothing for Biochem.

If I can do that and then take another NBME on Sunday or Monday, maybe I'll be able to bump my score up to 210 or 220. Wishful thinking most likely. But I'm hopeful.

You got this. Some people get that test-day adrenaline kick that's missing from practice tests and their scores shoot up.

 

[operaman]

You need to delay. Take a research year or something. You are not ready for this exam and are in serious danger of failing. No matter what, you are going to be a year behind your classmates. It's up to you whether you also have a step 1 failure.

 

[Finches]

I just took my first NBME today. I got a 192 on NBME 12.

It was really bad. I felt like I was guessing on most of the questions. I bombed micro and biochem.

I have 19 days. U-World plus Pathoma at 2x? Then take another NBME in a week? What more can I do?

How much can I improve in this short amount of time?

I'll put in another vote that you should push back your test date. If you're bombing micro with 19 days left to go, you are not ready. Trying to rush/cram UWorld and Pathoma is a horrible idea. As a reference, most students at my school do UWorld 2x (or UWorld + another QBank), Pathoma 2x, and FA until the pages are falling apart. Don't gamble with something this important. Swallow your pride and take the slow road; you'll thank yourself later.

 

[midweststudent1]

Does your school have anyone to help make this decision with you? We have learning specialists whose full time job is helping us pass boards

 

[CherryRedDracul]

Hey thanks for sharing. I was wondering how many points you were able to improve in your last 3 weeks. Was it more than 20 points?

About 40 points.

 

[seeker28]

Ideally, I would love to spend another month studying for this with a DIT or Kaplan type program that can walk me through all the material. If I were to postpone with the intention of taking a year off and continue studying until I felt ready, then spend the rest of the year doing research somewhere, would this be a huge red flag for residencies. Is this even something that people consider? Or do most people just bite down and take it?

I deserve this for my lack of planning. I really thought that all I needed was Pathoma UWorld and First Aid, but it turns out that I can't just read first aid and get it. It doesn't even make sense. I should have done at least 1 question bank before my study period. This sucks.

 

[xffan624]

Ideally, I would love to spend another month studying for this with a DIT or Kaplan type program that can walk me through all the material. If I were to postpone with the intention of taking a year off and continue studying until I felt ready, then spend the rest of the year doing research somewhere, would this be a huge red flag for residencies. Is this even something that people consider? Or do most people just bite down and take it?

I deserve this for my lack of planning. I really thought that all I needed was Pathoma UWorld and First Aid, but it turns out that I can't just read first aid and get it. It doesn't even make sense. I should have done at least 1 question bank before my study period. This sucks.

A bigger red flag is failing Step 1, which based on all indications, you are at risk of doing. Worry about the test first, residencies second.

 

[kenjixshadow]

x

 

[67552931811]

No, if you look at the dermatology thread, you will see that many ppl are taking a year off to do research and it doesn't seem to affect their residency application. A big red flag would be failing Step 1. Furthermore, if you want a competitive residency, you would want a high score, something like 250+.

Say wha???

http://www.nrmp.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Charting-Outcomes-2014-Final.pdf

Looks like slightly above/ above average step 1 scores yield pretty solid results for US MDs in competitive residencies.

 

[FalconSlice]

Say wha???

http://www.nrmp.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Charting-Outcomes-2014-Final.pdf

Looks like slightly above/ above average step 1 scores yield pretty solid results for US MDs in competitive residencies.

A "competitive residency" isn't all about the specialty, the actual program matters as well.

 

[67552931811]

A "competitive residency" isn't all about the specialty, the actual program matters as well.

Thanks, Captain.

 

[seeker28]

Hey guys. I scored a 212 on my last NBME. Still don't feel good about my preparation, not just because of the score, but because I feel like I'm guessing on at least half the questions.

I've talked to my advisors and they say I have the option of taking the year off. I honestly haven't been happy in a long time and maybe a year off would be good for me. But at the same time, I'm not so sure taking the foot off the gas would be the best thing. Maybe I wouldn't even come back to medical school.

I'm gonna keep going as hard as I can until next Sunday and then take another NBME. If I score over 220, should I just take the damn exam? It kind of sucks that I never had a good plan to study for this thing and I'm paying a terrible price for it, but maybe I should just bite down and accept what I deserve.

Also, I guess my main fear is if I break 220 on this next NBME, I may falsely believe that I'm gonna get at least around that score. Deep down, I think there's a good chance that I may still fail. I zone out a lot while I'm taking the test, and I've never even tried to do 7 blocks of questions in a row. What if the endurance isn't there? Is the predictive value for 3 NBME's good enough?

TLDR:
- 7 more days til exam. Scored 212 on last NBME
- Have option to take year off, but not sure if it's worth it.
- Still feel like **** while taking test. Is this a cause for concern or will this feeling never go away?
- Should I take the test if I score 220+ on my next NBME

Sorry for the long post. Would love to hear your thoughts.

 

[Frazier]

Hey guys. I scored a 212 on my last NBME. Still don't feel good about my preparation, not just because of the score, but because I feel like I'm guessing on at least half the questions.

I've talked to my advisors and they say I have the option of taking the year off. I honestly haven't been happy in a long time and maybe a year off would be good for me. But at the same time, I'm not so sure taking the foot off the gas would be the best thing. Maybe I wouldn't even come back to medical school.

I'm gonna keep going as hard as I can until next Sunday and then take another NBME. If I score over 220, should I just take the damn exam? It kind of sucks that I never had a good plan to study for this thing and I'm paying a terrible price for it, but maybe I should just bite down and accept what I deserve.

Also, I guess my main fear is if I break 220 on this next NBME, I may falsely believe that I'm gonna get at least around that score. Deep down, I think there's a good chance that I may still fail. I zone out a lot while I'm taking the test, and I've never even tried to do 7 blocks of questions in a row. What if the endurance isn't there? Is the predictive value for 3 NBME's good enough?

TLDR:
- 7 more days til exam. Scored 212 on last NBME
- Have option to take year off, but not sure if it's worth it.
- Still feel like **** while taking test. Is this a cause for concern or will this feeling never go away?
- Should I take the test if I score 220+ on my next NBME

Sorry for the long post. Would love to hear your thoughts.

Nice improvement so far. Good news is that everyday your knowledge base creeps higher with the more material you get through.

So...

What are your goals?
Are you deadset on a specialty or residency program that essentially requires 230+?
Are you content to pass (whatever that score might be)?

If the former, you would likely be safer to delay if your next NBME is below XYZ.
If the latter, I imagine a "220+" should be very ample cushion to pass granted you don't have major text anxiety/issues.

It seems it is common for people to score around their NBME's...outliers exist, naturally.

If regards to feelings, not a lot of people feel good about the test -- during or after. Hard to make any decisions solely off of "I feel like crap when I'm taking the test".

 

[chipwhitley]

Hey guys. I scored a 212 on my last NBME. Still don't feel good about my preparation, not just because of the score, but because I feel like I'm guessing on at least half the questions.

I've talked to my advisors and they say I have the option of taking the year off. I honestly haven't been happy in a long time and maybe a year off would be good for me. But at the same time, I'm not so sure taking the foot off the gas would be the best thing. Maybe I wouldn't even come back to medical school.

I'm gonna keep going as hard as I can until next Sunday and then take another NBME. If I score over 220, should I just take the damn exam? It kind of sucks that I never had a good plan to study for this thing and I'm paying a terrible price for it, but maybe I should just bite down and accept what I deserve.

Also, I guess my main fear is if I break 220 on this next NBME, I may falsely believe that I'm gonna get at least around that score. Deep down, I think there's a good chance that I may still fail. I zone out a lot while I'm taking the test, and I've never even tried to do 7 blocks of questions in a row. What if the endurance isn't there? Is the predictive value for 3 NBME's good enough?

TLDR:
- 7 more days til exam. Scored 212 on last NBME
- Have option to take year off, but not sure if it's worth it.
- Still feel like **** while taking test. Is this a cause for concern or will this feeling never go away?
- Should I take the test if I score 220+ on my next NBME

Sorry for the long post. Would love to hear your thoughts.

The exam is gonna feel tough no matter how hard you prepare.

 

[Morsetlis]

-I got a 250+ on it and still stressed the hell out and thought i would get below 200. Serial NBMEs is advisable here to gauge your ability and variance.
-You seem to have a problem with testing, especially 7-hr long ones. You need to build stamina and optimism.
-Since you stated that you felt unhappy, I would recommend taking the research year and doing Kaplan before taking the step 1. You may very well get an average score right now... but will you be happy with it?
-The only caveat is that people also lose knowledge with time. I would say that you should NOT take the test after a year break, but 3 month break including a Kaplan course or something similar, then retesting on the NBME, will benefit you most.
-I feel like you may also benefit from coaching/tutoring. I personally tutored 6+ clients who all passed the step 1 / comlex after my help. Perhaps a friend or somebody to bounce ideas off of is all you need? I found that a supportive environment is also more conducive than sitting alone in the dark studying and worrying.

 

[seeker28]

Hey guys.

Status update for those who might be interested and want to share their thoughts:

I'm supposed to take the exam in 2 days. I took the UWorld Self-assessment test 1. I really can't believe it, but I got a 247.

I'm confused because percentage wise, I don't think it's that much of an improvement compared to NBME 12, which I took 3 weeks ago (Score = 194). Not really sure if I can trust the improvement that these scores suggest.

To be honest, I still feel terrible. I can't even explain to myself why one might use heparin over warfarin. I guess one is stronger or something. I only know a few cholesterol drugs. And I know nothing about anti-arrhythmics. I think some of them cause Torsades.

So I have the option of postponing my exam til next Wednesday. I'm not sure how much I can accomplish in 1 more week. And I think I'm accepting the fact that I won't ever feel like I know enough. But I still want to make a pass through Pathoma and a few parts of First Aid. Probably worth it right?

Or am I just going to keep forgetting stuff, no matter what I do? Maybe I should take another NBME, which might put me back in my place?

 

[Merely]

I don't know anything but I wish you the best of luck, and it's really nice that there are people on here who are giving you real, constructive criticism.

 

[ACSurgeon]

Hey guys.

Status update for those who might be interested and want to share their thoughts:

I'm supposed to take the exam in 2 days. I took the UWorld Self-assessment test 1. I really can't believe it, but I got a 247.

I'm confused because percentage wise, I don't think it's that much of an improvement compared to NBME 12, which I took 3 weeks ago (Score = 194). Not really sure if I can trust the improvement that these scores suggest.

To be honest, I still feel terrible. I can't even explain to myself why one might use heparin over warfarin. I guess one is stronger or something. I only know a few cholesterol drugs. And I know nothing about anti-arrhythmics. I think some of them cause Torsades.

So I have the option of postponing my exam til next Wednesday. I'm not sure how much I can accomplish in 1 more week. And I think I'm accepting the fact that I won't ever feel like I know enough. But I still want to make a pass through Pathoma and a few parts of First Aid. Probably worth it right?

Or am I just going to keep forgetting stuff, no matter what I do? Maybe I should take another NBME, which might put me back in my place?

I think you should take the damn thing and be done!

 

[Psai]

Just take it

 

[Wordead]

I remember UWSA grossly overestimates, fyi