Advice on whether Step 1 Tutor would be useful

[Blunt Dissection]

So I've been considering the idea of getting a private tutor for the USMLE Step 1, but these services seem to typically run on the expensive side. I'm not usually one to scrimp on buying resources that'll help me prepare for the boards either, but I mean, we're talking like $2k-3k+ for 20 hours of tutoring time. I'm shooting for a score of 260+ on the USMLE, but I don't particularly care what my COMLEX score is ultimately going to be as long as I pass. I've taken 3 "diagnostic" exams so far, but I've read on the forums that they're not particularly useful for predicting how well you'll actually do.

Kaplan Diagnostic: 59%
COMSAE E: 539
USMLE-Rx predicted: 245 +/-20

My exam is a little under 6 months out in early June. If I'm looking for an honest shot at 260+, would a tutor be worth it for the price or should I just continue studying how I am?

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[Anti-PD1]

People who score in that range don't do it with tutors. Tutors are for people who need external structure in their study plan and an outside voice to keep their head in the game.

Do qBanks, and review the answers + UFAP as much as you can. I mean do Kaplan, Rx and then UWorld. That's a start to shooting for a 260. Dedicate yourself to every question. Why did I get it right, why did I get it wrong. Want to know everything. Never be satisfied. Be insatiable.

 

[Blunt Dissection]

People who score in that range don't do it with tutors. Tutors are for people who need external structure in their study plan and an outside voice to keep their head in the game.

Do qBanks, and review the answers + UFAP as much as you can. I mean do Kaplan, Rx and then UWorld. That's a start to shooting for a 260. Dedicate yourself to every question. Why did I get it right, why did I get it wrong. Want to know everything. Never be satisfied. Be insatiable.

I guess one of my big concerns is "plateauing." I kinda view the process like a sport - the athlete has an inherent amount of talent, ability, and their hard work is what brings those to the surface. But every great athlete still has a coach to essentially show them where they're going wrong and how they can get better. I'm not sure if that same analogy applies to studying, so hence why I was pondering the idea of a tutor.

 

[Anti-PD1]

I guess one of my big concerns is "plateauing." I kinda view the process like a sport - the athlete has an inherent amount of talent, ability, and their hard work is what brings those to the surface. But every great athlete still has a coach to essentially show them where they're going wrong and how they can get better. I'm not sure if that same analogy applies to studying, so hence why I was pondering the idea of a tutor.

You could always try it. But I would recommend against signing up for something up front. Try a tutor who charges by the hour or session to see if it helps, if you indeed plateau.

In my experience, the extremely high scorers don't always make good tutors, and also, there's a score past which one cannot be tutored. Like how Antonio Brown makes those insane wide catches. Can't be coached.

The reason I recommend getting through so many qBanks is because it helps you develop a sixth sense. An internal compass. I've gotten questions right I had never heard of because of my qBank experiences.