How to increase Step 1 Score in 4 weeks, Retaker

[StepRepeater1]

Hello, I am taking Step 1 for the second time. I studied for about 6 months the first time (Did Uworld once and First Aid twice) and received a score of 191. I took a 3 month break during which I received my failed score. I started restudying for the past 1.5 months using Uworld, First Aid, Pathoma, DIT. This time I am annotating Uworld into FA which I did not do the first time. I took an NBME 15 2 weeks ago and got a 192... I am scheduled to take the exam in 4 weeks. How can I increase my score?

I have 62% of uworld left and my cummulative average is 61%. I am scoring between 55-75. Am I doomed? Attached is a pic of my weakness on latest NBME 15.

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[Slade009]

Hello, I am taking Step 1 for the second time. I studied for about 6 months the first time (Did Uworld once and First Aid twice) and received a score of 191. I took a 3 month break during which I received my failed score. I started restudying for the past 1.5 months using Uworld, First Aid, Pathoma, DIT. This time I am annotating Uworld into FA which I did not do the first time. I took an NBME 15 2 weeks ago and got a 192... I am scheduled to take the exam in 4 weeks. How can I increase my score?

I have 62% of uworld left and my cummulative average is 61%. I am scoring between 55-75. Am I doomed? Attached is a pic of my weakness on latest NBME 15.

No you're not doomed. The best advice I can give you is, "If you're not ready don't take it yet!" Postpone it, judging by your score I don't think that 1 month will be exactly enough. But then again it depends on what your Step 1 goal score is also. Like if you're just looking to pass and get an average residency then sure take your chances but if you're trying to get that 250+ then you really need to change the whole way you're studying and incorporate a new strategy and put in the hours and do tons of questions.

 

[StepRepeater1]

I failed step 1 and am an IMG so I'm assuming I'm automatically out of most competitive residencies even if I were to do stellar on the retake. My goal is 220 for the retake. I was interested in Neuro/Obgyn before, but will take family if that's all I can get at this point. Do you think 220 is possible in 4 weeks?

 

[StepRepeater1]

What should I focus on?

 

[Slade009]

I think anything is possible. My personal friend who isn't interested in Medicine studied for 2 weeks for the Step 1 and got a 240 something. Just because you failed doesn't mean you can't get most residencies it just means you have to try harder and get a great score in your Step 1 and then an even higher score in your Step 2. I know people that have failed and got into General Surgery, but their new Step 1 scores were very high. Yes you may not be able to get into Plastic, Derma, Radiology, and Ortho but I think Neuro is doable. From what I remember Neuro average for an IMG was a 227 or was that the minimum lowest score in order to get in. So aim high and study accordingly. If you still want to get into Neuro then I suggest you aim for a 235+ at least. Everyone I have ever spoken to has told me that the NBME is the most accurate in determining the Step 1 score +/- 5 points so when you feel like your NBME score is in your comfortable range then go for it.

Focus on Concepts, the reason being you'll most likely never get the same question someone got in the Step 1. In Uworld annotating in FA is great but focus not on the right answer but why the other answer choices weren't the right ones. Also if in your budget you've spent thousands of dollars on Med School what's another hundred for an extra question bank, I recommend USMLE Rx, not because it's good or second to Uworld even though Uworld is the best for Step 1 but simply because the more questions you practice the better you get. It will help improve your speed in test taking and familiar topics will click quicker in your head when you see them. Also this advice helped improve my test taking skills by far and it is, Think of the answer before looking at the answer choices. This is good because it helps eliminate any answers that may make you second guess the right one and any doubts on your first choice.

 

[StepRepeater1]

Thanks for the great advice. Do you think 220 is possible right now for 4 weeks though?

 

[Slade009]

Thanks for the great advice. Do you think 220 is possible right now for 4 weeks though?

I think it's possible but I don't know you personally so I can't say, but judging by your Step 1 score I would say don't risk it and take more time to study. And if you change your question to, is 235+ possible, again I would say yes but highly unlikely for the chances of that in 4 weeks and is a risky venture based on your NBME score.

 

[Slade009]

You need to use some more resources. Try out usmle-simple for microbiology. If you liked pathoma, it is very similar and might like it. Worth a shot at this point.

I've been hearing about this new usmle-simple program and I wonder how it is. I might give it try also.