For those who struggled during school but did well on Step 1... need some advice

[Baps]

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I was wondering for those of you who struggled during your first two years of med school and did well on Boards, how did you prepare? I had a hard a time adjusting my first year, and I feel like I need a little extra time reviewing this amount of information for step 1. I plan on doing QBank and then reviewing the questions and using Goljan Path and FA as my main references. The subjects that I had trouble with will be my main focus for now and then I plan on doing questions and more questions.

Any suggestions/ tips about board prep, particularly from people who had a hard time during their first two yrs of med school, would be appreciated. Thanks and Happy Valentine's Day!

 

[osli]

I can't say that I struggled, but I thought that I'd at least pass on the common wisdom that you don't need to sacrifice your learning for the rest of this year's courses due to studying for the boards.

That said, if you have made the adjustment and honestly feel like you can learn all of your current material solidly and still have some extra time to devote to board prep now, I'd suggest identifying areas where you know you were weak previously and reading through a dedicated review book on that subject for comprehension and not memorization. i.e., make sure you understand everything that is being said, and worry about going back to memorize details later.

 

[Baps]

Thanks for your advice and I will definitely keep that in mind. I was wondering for study plans of people who did well on Step 1 even though they struggled in their classes. I ask this because in my first year, I consistently performed below average in all my courses. This year has been better but it's not where I want to be. I am curious as to how people who had difficulties in their first year or two and did well on boards prepared for Step 1, i.e. study schedules, books/ websites they used in a ~ 2 month study plan. Thanks so much

 

[darkmansaad]

l left a massive post in the 2008 experiences thread how i prepped for step 1 despite a mostly subpar basic science performance minus path and pharm

hope that helps

 

[lankysudanese]

l left a massive post in the 2008 experiences thread how i prepped for step 1 despite a mostly subpar basic science performance minus path and pharm

hope that helps

minor caveat

 

[Baps]

Thanks! That was really helpful. I have another quick question... anyone know what the 'high yield series' Goljan mentions in his audio are and where I can get them. Thanks again!

 

[HIJay]

the hi yield he was referring to was probably the pdf notes that are circulating around

 

[njbmd]

I was in the opposite situation as you appear to be in. I had done extremely well with my coursework and needed to take Boards very quickly. I had a short time to review and prepare since I had a fellowship that demanded I take Step I three weeks after my second-year courses ended.

I would tell you that focusing on mastery of your coursework is the best Board prep that you can have. You will have plenty of time to review for Boards once your coursework is done but you can't "review" what you have not "learned" in the first place. Put your Board Review materials away until your coursework is over and then set your review schedule.Class preparation is class prep and board prep is board prep. The two are only minimally related so even if you took a bit of time to adjust to coursework, you don't have to worry that you can't do well with board prep.

I would also caution you about trying to use one-source for review. Question banks are good to show your progress/weaknesses but don't attempt to memorize the questions. First Aid is good for showing topics but don't attempt to memorize this.

When it comes down to it, you need to have a thorough and systemic review of your basic science materials with the most emphasis on Path, Pharm and Physio and lesser emphasis on Micro, Biochem, Behav, Neuro and least emphasis on Gross Anatomy. Path and Pharm will likely review Biohem and Neuro. You need to know the clinical aspects of anatomy but even then, GA isn't well represented.

The length of time that you spend in review isn't as important as the focus of your review. In short, don't attempt to do marathon review sessions but regular review sessions marking off things as you get them done. Summarize what you have worked on during the week, on the weekends and by test time, you will be ready.

Also, don't collect dozens of review books as you won't have time to get through them. Pick a couple of resources and stay with them. None of the highly recommended resources that are listed in FA are poor but having so much stuff can make you inefficient. Get plenty of rest before the exam and so something physical to get rid of the stress.

 

[Baps]

So I took a NBME exam that's supposed to be the easiest and failed 🙁 I'm trying to juggle between studying for classes and board prep, but it is such a challenge for me because it takes me awhile to review concepts. I have about a month left before I take step 1... any suggestions on what to do. I feel so unmotivated at this point....

 

[TTPHUS]

So I took a NBME exam that's supposed to be the easiest and failed 🙁 I'm trying to juggle between studying for classes and board prep, but it is such a challenge for me because it takes me awhile to review concepts. I have about a month left before I take step 1... any suggestions on what to do. I feel so unmotivated at this point....

look at your weak areas and work on those ...best bang for your improvement

whats the nbme score and whats your goal ???

good luck

 

[TTPHUS]

look at your weak areas and work on those ...best bang for your improvement

whats the nbme score and whats your goal ???

good luck

please please stay motivated . You would NOT give up on a dying patient , would u ? right now your patient named is in the ICU, you need to NOT give up ..we must start thinking like docs ..look at the weak areas and focus on those first .. a month is a lot of time . One girl I knew went from a 300 on the NBME to a 500 in a month ... I saw the report myself ..

time to work harder and not give up ..

another caution - don't get carried away by all these suspicious 99's on the board ...many people lie about scores ..
its akin to the penis size survey ...higher number in inches gleaned from self reporting as opposed to independent measurement by nurses ..

 

[Baps]

please please stay motivated . You would NOT give up on a dying patient , would u ? right now your patient named is in the ICU, you need to NOT give up ..we must start thinking like docs ..look at the weak areas and focus on those first .. a month is a lot of time . One girl I knew went from a 300 on the NBME to a 500 in a month ... I saw the report myself ..

time to work harder and not give up ..

another caution - don't get carried away by all these suspicious 99's on the board ...many people lie about scores ..
its akin to the penis size survey ...higher number in inches gleaned from self reporting as opposed to independent measurement by nurses ..

thanks for your words of encouragement. so I got a 290 on the NBME assessment which translates into a 160 🙁 I'm not looking to going into anything competitive but I would like to score average or above average on the boards. I'd like to keep my options open with a good score, but I'm not trying to go into neurosurgery or derm

 

[Sarah1980]

thanks for your words of encouragement. so I got a 290 on the NBME assessment which translates into a 160 🙁 I'm not looking to going into anything competitive but I would like to score average or above average on the boards. I'd like to keep my options open with a good score, but I'm not trying to go into neurosurgery or derm

For what its worth , my friend went from a 310 to a little over 500 in about 3 weeks ..don't get fazed by the score . laugh it off then work on the weak areas . you can pull it off . just knowing 1st aid and uw will raise u up at least 150 points .. add in brs phys and brs path and u can be at 500 in no time ..

 

[Leverage]

does your school have any resources for folks like you?

I know my school actually identifies people with low MCATs, poor preformance with basic sciences, ect... in an effort to get help to people that are at risk of failing. I would talk to student affairs or whatever office supports the students at your school. A couple of students actually get sent to some review course..

Get help early if at all possible..

 

[Pascal8]

you have a whole month to pull that grade up ....do uw and know first aid , take another nbme after 1 week and see the results ..keep working on the weak areas and rinse and repeat , focusing on the weak areas ..note that if you work strongly on your path and phys , you will automatically elevate all the organ systems ....these are your big hitters and brs phys and path will lock it down for you ...
also just becuase you didn't get the question right doesn't meant that u don't know the concept ..could be just your recall ..there is a diff between not knowing teh concept and just not being able to answer the question ..this is why a combo of uw and first aid will be your saving grace ..
path and phys brs will add your meat and potatoes ...go raise that score ..

and to agree with the other poster ..yes i do believe that many if not most scores here are fudged ..so while a 99 MAY be out of the question , defintely an 85 is within the realm of possibility ...also if you wait too long the material will lose its appliciability , so work hard , fast and under pressure ..

 

[Pascal8]

stay positive

 

[Pascal8]

thanks for your words of encouragement. so I got a 290 on the NBME assessment which translates into a 160 🙁 I'm not looking to going into anything competitive but I would like to score average or above average on the boards. I'd like to keep my options open with a good score, but I'm not trying to go into neurosurgery or derm

the student below improved about 150 points on the NBME in a matter of weeks

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?p=6378653#post6378653

 

[Sarah1980]

the student below improved about 150 points on the NBME in a matter of weeks

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?p=6378653#post6378653

well if that isn't motigvation then I don't what is ... thats a big jump in a matter of weeks ...goes to show NBME the numbers can go UPPPPP

 

[Terpskins99]

So I took a NBME exam that's supposed to be the easiest and failed 🙁 I'm trying to juggle between studying for classes and board prep, but it is such a challenge for me because it takes me awhile to review concepts. I have about a month left before I take step 1... any suggestions on what to do. I feel so unmotivated at this point....

Next time you try an NBME, do it in untimed mode (technically 4 hrs per block) so you can write notes on some of the questions you aren't sure of. It'll give you some hints as to what mistakes you may be making.

Keep on studying! Personally, I'm convinced that anyone can pass boards with just Goljan RR, First Aid and a solid question source (as long as you take the time to thoroughly review the answers). Maybe a physiology reference if you're weak in that subject.

Its tough to juggle classes with boards. Ideally, you'd have a few weeks (at least a month) to devote solely for USMLE prep. Can you delay your exam to a later date, or does your school require you to take the exam before May?

 

[Sarah1980]

Next time you try an NBME, do it in untimed mode (technically 4 hrs per block) so you can write notes on some of the questions you aren't sure of. It'll give you some hints as to what mistakes you may be making.

Keep on studying! Personally, I'm convinced that anyone can pass boards with just Goljan RR, First Aid and a solid question source (as long as you take the time to thoroughly review the answers). Maybe a physiology reference if you're weak in that subject.

Its tough to juggle classes with boards. Ideally, you'd have a few weeks (at least a month) to devote solely for USMLE prep. Can you delay your exam to a later date, or does your school require you to take the exam before May?

Personally I am convinced too !! .. I have read about some amazing NBME increases...

 

[Baps]

Thank you all for the motivation. I really appreciate it. So, I'm allowed to delay my test date at a later time but I would just start 3rd later. In terms of my book resources, I've been studying with Goljan audio and RR, Pharm Recall, BRS Physio, Kaplan's QBank, all while trying to juggle studying for classes. I'm a fairly "traditional" student who prefers going to class but I plan on skipping class and devoting more time for board prep w/o totally abandoning studying for classes.
Thanks again and I wish you all the best of luck

 

[Baps]

So here's my study plan for the next few weeks before test day and I would love to get some feedback. So, I plan on reading Goljan RR path and listen to his audio in its entirety, read BRS physio, do questions from BRS physio, Kaplan, and Robbins in my weak subjects, and maybe do NBME 4 and 5. I plan on doing 50 questions from UW at night everyday and as I get closer to test day, do 100-150 questions.

BTW, I took another NBME two weeks after my first one and that did not go well at all either 🙁 I failed that one too... so, yeah, I would love some feedback on my study plan for the next few weeks. Thanks again.

 

[Blesbok]

So here's my study plan for the next few weeks before test day and I would love to get some feedback. So, I plan on reading Goljan RR path and listen to his audio in its entirety, read BRS physio, do questions from BRS physio, Kaplan, and Robbins in my weak subjects, and maybe do NBME 4 and 5. I plan on doing 50 questions from UW at night everyday and as I get closer to test day, do 100-150 questions.

BTW, I took another NBME two weeks after my first one and that did not go well at all either 🙁 I failed that one too... so, yeah, I would love some feedback on my study plan for the next few weeks. Thanks again.

Less study material, more questions. Do 100 UW questions a day and spend 4 hours reviewing them and knowing them. Don't just skim over them. Get done with UW before your test. Use goljan and first aid for path. Take notes on stuff. Even if you think you know it, take a little side note and keep them organized so you can review them. Writing stuff will make it stick in your memory more than just reading it. For pharm, I can't recommend anything but flashcards. Nothing has worked for me in pharm like using flashcards.

 

[Baps]

thanks for your advice 🙂

 

[Baps]

I wanted to thank all of you (esp. Pascal) who supported me and encouraged me during the brutal period of preparing for Step 1. For anyone whose studying right now and it's not going as well as you like, just keep moving and your hard work will definitely pay off. God is so Good 🙂 Yay 🙂 🙂

 

[Instatewaiter]

. One girl I knew went from a 300 on the NBME to a 500 in a month ... I saw the report myself ..

I went up 49 points (on the 3 digit scale) in 33 days and that is from a starting point of NBME 1 (which is considered the easiest). It is very do-able with hard work and a very organized approach.

 

[Resolve]

so can you really get a good score just by studying fa, uworld and goljan, and brs physiology? what about those other subjects?

is uw really that good?

 

[LUBDUBB]

Thank you all for the motivation. I really appreciate it. So, I'm allowed to delay my test date at a later time but I would just start 3rd later. In terms of my book resources, I've been studying with Goljan audio and RR, Pharm Recall, BRS Physio, Kaplan's QBank, all while trying to juggle studying for classes. I'm a fairly "traditional" student who prefers going to class but I plan on skipping class and devoting more time for board prep w/o totally abandoning studying for classes.
Thanks again and I wish you all the best of luck

Do it!! Do whatever you must, so that you have no regrets at the end. 👍 FA + Goljan + UW has been the gold standard here on sdn. I took the exam on the 17th and was surprised at the number of questions that I was able to (and could have) answered straight from FA and Goljan.