Best time to take your first NBME?

[petitebrownie]

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So I'm planning on taking Step 1 around mid June, and my school gives us 4 weeks of dedicated study time starting mid May. That being said, do I take my first NBME before dedicated or sometime right before dedicated? I feel like taking my first NBME just 4 weeks prior to my test date won't be enough time to gauge where I stand but at the same time I won't be done with all the systems till May. Any suggestions?

 

[ChessMaster3000]

So I'm planning on taking Step 1 around mid June, and my school gives us 4 weeks of dedicated study time starting mid May. That being said, do I take my first NBME before dedicated or sometime right before dedicated? I feel like taking my first NBME just 4 weeks prior to my test date won't be enough time to gauge where I stand but at the same time I won't be done with all the systems till May. Any suggestions?

Overall, I personally think 4 weeks is not enough time if you are aiming for >250 score. I would consider your study time about 6-7 weeks out so you'd have to do 2-3 weeks of studying on top of whatever else your med school has going on. In that scenario, if you do that I would take your first NBME near the beginning of that period, then hold off on furthe NBMEs till about 3 weeks out, then take about two per week until youre done.

I highly recommend no studying 48 hours prior to the exam (most people dont study the day before, I'm recommending a full 2 days before). Brain fatigue is REAL