Current progress and advice for Step 1 prep

[theboatman]

Hi all,

I am planning to take step 1 in approx. 1 month and am looking for advice to see where I am at. My goal is 250+ and would be super excited to see a 260+.

Here is what I did during MS2: Pathoma x3, First Aid x1, Kaplan Qbank x1, USMLE Rx Qbank x1. I pretty much know Pathoma cold.

I just started studying 5 days ago. I am slightly more than 1/5 of the way through UW and currently averaging 83% on the exams. I am doing them timed, on random.

I have been pleasantly surprised by my scores, considering I am just starting out on the Qbank. I feel like I am guessing some of the time, but making very educated guesses. I hate not feeling like I for sure know the answer to the question, but then again, maybe this is a normal feeling for step know matter how much you study?

I feel like my knowledge base isn't all the way there but my test taking skills/critical thinking are what are getting me the high scores.

I am currently making my way through first aid a second time, and hoping to make a third pass in the last week or 2 before my exam.

Any advice you have for me regarding studying to absolutely maximize my score to the 260+? I feel like I am in a very good place right now 1 month out of my test and doing well on UW questions. I just don't want to make a mistake in the next month and want to make sure I am doing everything in my power to not waste the knowledge base and current success I am having with my studies. Thanks!

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[DubbiDoctor]

Will you be taking NBME practice exams?

 

[theboatman]

Will you be taking NBME practice exams?

Yeah. I'm planning to do NBME 13-19 as well as UWSA 1 and 2.

 

[Optikala]

If you're already averaging 83%, high 250s-260+ really is yours to lose on test day. You have the knowledge/test taking skills. Build your confidence going into the exam (for example, don't take NBME 19 as your last practice test, since it under-predicts so strongly), and just get'er done.

I would recommend taking UWSA1 immediately, then 16 and 18, followed by UWSA2. As long as you're on target after those, finish up UWorld, review your incorrects/marked notes heavily and don't be afraid to move your test date up. No need to take the other NBMEs unless you like throwing away money/have some obsessive need to finish EVERYTHING.

 

[theboatman]

If you're already averaging 83%, high 250s-260+ really is yours to lose on test day. You have the knowledge/test taking skills. Build your confidence going into the exam (for example, don't take NBME 19 as your last practice test, since it under-predicts so strongly), and just get'er done.

I would recommend taking UWSA1 immediately, then 16 and 18, followed by UWSA2. As long as you're on target after those, finish up UWorld, review your incorrects/marked notes heavily and don't be afraid to move your test date up. No need to take the other NBMEs unless you like throwing away money/have some obsessive need to finish EVERYTHING.

Thanks for the advice. Can you explain why you recommend taking UWSA1 immediately? Wouldn't it have more value to take closer to test day in order to more accurately predict my score?

 

[Optikala]

Thanks for the advice. Can you explain why you recommend taking UWSA1 immediately? Wouldn't it have more value to take closer to test day in order to more accurately predict my score?

The scoring on UWSA1 is generous (for most people) compared to their score on NBMEs. For example my score on NBME 16 was 17 points lower than UWSA1. UWSA1 is more useful to establish a rough baseline, and to start working on endurance over multiple blocks (many people tack on 1-2 blocks at the end to simulate a nearly full length test).

Recent NBMEs (16-19) tend to under-predict for most people, and UWSA2 is considered the best predictor both in terms of question style and score (although it is slightly generous).