Advice for a non-brilliant soon to be MSII

[sparklingpink]

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Hello,
I apologize in advance if my question can be answered from other posts -- which, by the way have been very helpful. Thank you!

So here's my deal. I got an okay MCAT score, and in classes this year I typically scored in the mid 70s -- sometimes as low as barely passing (as in anatomy, which I was terrible at), and sometimes as high as in the high 80s. Now I know that there is a correlation between MCAT scores and to an extent grades in classes. This concerns me because I sincerely want to sweep the floor with the boards (step 1) and get a fantastic grade. So here's my question -- given that I am hard-working non-genious, and that I am willing to be a total nerd all year...what can I do to do very well on the boards (250s).
Sorry for sounding like a nerd. I do realize I have the whole year to worry about this, but I want to get started now and hit hard when classes start.

Thanks and I hope you have a lovely day!

 

[asianpride]

Hello,
I apologize in advance if my question can be answered from other posts -- which, by the way have been very helpful. Thank you!

So here's my deal. I got an okay MCAT score, and in classes this year I typically scored in the mid 70s -- sometimes as low as barely passing (as in anatomy, which I was terrible at), and sometimes as high as in the high 80s. Now I know that there is a correlation between MCAT scores and to an extent grades in classes. This concerns me because I sincerely want to sweep the floor with the boards (step 1) and get a fantastic grade. So here's my question -- given that I am hard-working non-genious, and that I am willing to be a total nerd all year...what can I do to do very well on the boards (250s).
Sorry for sounding like a nerd. I do realize I have the whole year to worry about this, but I want to get started now and hit hard when classes start.

Thanks and I hope you have a lovely day!

buy first aid and the BRS (phys and path) books at the beginning of the year
study the relevant portions as you study for class
do the robbins path questions that are relevant to what you are studying
dont socialize between classes - study every free minute you have (in between classes, on the toilet, etc)
do USMLE type questions all year long


its pretty simple really - the people at my class that studied like this scored 245-260's

i didnt - i wish i had ! -- but still scored a 235 on step 1 -- not too bad i guess

good luck 😛

 

[DrDre']

Search BigFranks and Jalbys posts on how they studied. They have excellent breakdowns. There are others as well. I can not remember the thread titles. They delineate the sources used. There is no secret. I used organ system based. Start with embryo>anatomy>phys>path>pathophys, add pharm and/or micro when useful. Do HY, shortterm memory stuff after school is out: micro, biochem, etc. There are a few threads that show how people did and how they prepared.


In my opinion, doing great on boards is actually quite doable.
Approach with a can-do attitude. Work hard all 2nd year. Begin reviewing 1-2 hours/d in Jan, Feb, or March. You can also do 1 whole day (pretend classes don't exist- the day after a class test is good).

The MLE is much more about comprehension and background knowledge than most people vocalize. Strong work all year pays off. THEN, 3-4 weeks of cherry-picking and cramming at the end.

Good luck

 

[bigfrank]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=132554

Here is the post of mine to which DrDre' referred. I think you'll be surprised what little sheer information is on the Step I. I found over half the questions to be purely reasoning questions once you apply or figure out a basic concept.

My advice: You have the year to truly *memorize* First Aid and BRS Path.

 

[Idiopathic]

Go to class every day.
Pay attention, even to the clinical stuff that "could never be on the boards".
Read the text books.
Do questions all year long, and review them afterwards.
Ask questions/go to office hours.
Relax.

This wont guarantee a 250+ but it will be all that you need to do until you start cramming.

 

[DrDre']

Go to class if you LEARN in class. If the teachers are bad or you do not learn aurally, DO NOT waste your time IF you are disciplined enough to study at home. I haven't gone to a single class since mid 1st semester.

I got up everyday, studying by 8. Studied all day with breaks for food and running.

You have to be disciplined to do this but it allows you to learn at your pace...

 

[DrMom]

Go to class if you LEARN in class. If the teachers are bad or you do not learn aurally, DO NOT waste your time IF you are disciplined enough to study at home.

I can attest to the fact that Idiopathic only went to the classes with good profs. 😉 Really.

 

[sparklingpink]

you guys are fantastic. i really appreciate the advice!

i've got FA, high yield cell and molec bio (i'm weak in it, and also read from a previous post that it's a good book), and plan to get BRS path and physio on ebay.
do you think the newest versions of the BRS books are worth the cost?
regardless, i'm psyched about digging in and getting the ball rolling.
cheers -
sparkly

 

[Idiopathic]

Screw that...I sat in on Psych nearly every day, AND I went to Marty B.'s lectures!! All of them!!

 

[bigfrank]

...and plan to get BRS path and physio on ebay.
do you think the newest versions of the BRS books are worth the cost?

YES YES YES -- BRS Path 2nd ed. has all the molecular crap that is so frequently tested (t14;18, etc.)

Also, I think that for those 2 books, it is very important to get NEW books, that way, you can make learning active via highlighting/marking/writing, and won't be distracted by what someone else thought was important. I think this is extremely important.

 

[IlianaSedai]

you guys are fantastic. i really appreciate the advice!

i've got FA, high yield cell and molec bio (i'm weak in it, and also read from a previous post that it's a good book), and plan to get BRS path and physio on ebay.
do you think the newest versions of the BRS books are worth the cost?
regardless, i'm psyched about digging in and getting the ball rolling.
cheers -
sparkly

Yeah, I think those are decent investments, and no, I don't think you really need the latest version. The current edition of BRS Pathology will have plenty of used copies available because it has been around for a few years; no need to hold out for 3rd edition to come out. And physiology hasn't evolved or changed that much.

I would keep the book list short -- add no more to it unless you expect to read other books during the year but not during your dedicated 2-5 Step 1 studying weeks.

And, download a schedule to help you allot time during the last month before the exam, so you make sure you cover all the bases.

 

[DrMom]

Screw that...I sat in on Psych nearly every day, AND I went to Marty B.'s lectures!! All of them!!

I thought you were smarter than that!!!!