How to Up Your Scores Step 1

[Step1TooSoon]

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Guys, I have three weeks till Step 1 (Feb. 29) and I was wondering how should I go about best improving my score. I do about 92 questions in USMLE World a day and I average around 50-55%. I have done DIT for the first two weeks but I have not "memorized" all important information, it gave me a good first overview. I am so stressed out because I'm worried I'm not doing this right. . . I am aiming for at least a 230 on the real thing.... I have a few questions. . .

1). Should I be doing more or less questions? Also I feel like it takes me too long to review the answers (2-3 hours for 46 questions). How can I speed that up without losing the value of the questions?

2). How much of a jump should I expect in the last 3 weeks of studying, as far as percent wise on my world scores?

3). What is the best way to learn pharm?

4). Should I be worried that I have plateaued at the 50-55% range at this point?

5). I will finish world with one week before my test. . . what should I do that one week prior?

Thanks for any advice

 

[elektroshok]

Guys, I have three weeks till Step 1 (Feb. 29) and I was wondering how should I go about best improving my score. I do about 92 questions in USMLE World a day and I average around 50-55%. I have done DIT for the first two weeks but I have not "memorized" all important information, it gave me a good first overview. I am so stressed out because I'm worried I'm not doing this right. . . I am aiming for at least a 230 on the real thing.... I have a few questions. . .

1). Should I be doing more or less questions? Also I feel like it takes me too long to review the answers (2-3 hours for 46 questions). How can I speed that up without losing the value of the questions?

2). How much of a jump should I expect in the last 3 weeks of studying, as far as percent wise on my world scores?

3). What is the best way to learn pharm?

4). Should I be worried that I have plateaued at the 50-55% range at this point?

5). I will finish world with one week before my test. . . what should I do that one week prior?

Thanks for any advice

Haven't taken it yet, but one thing that I do as far as reviewing questions. While I'm taking a block of questions, if it was one that I didn't know for sure I mark it. Then at the end of the blocks when you review you can sort and review your missed then review the ones you marked even if you got it right just to ensure you understand the concept they were asking. I don't review the ones that I got correct and didn't mark. You could maybe also consider just setting a time limit of 30-45 min of review per block of questions you take and if you need more time, just do it later, to make sure you get through everything.

Also, maybe start the next morning or something with 20-30 questions made from using marked/missed questions to see if there are areas that didn't stick from that day.

 

[naseeha]

Guys, I have three weeks till Step 1 (Feb. 29) and I was wondering how should I go about best improving my score. I do about 92 questions in USMLE World a day and I average around 50-55%. I have done DIT for the first two weeks but I have not "memorized" all important information, it gave me a good first overview. I am so stressed out because I'm worried I'm not doing this right. . . I am aiming for at least a 230 on the real thing.... I have a few questions. . .

1). Should I be doing more or less questions? Also I feel like it takes me too long to review the answers (2-3 hours for 46 questions). How can I speed that up without losing the value of the questions?

2). How much of a jump should I expect in the last 3 weeks of studying, as far as percent wise on my world scores?

3). What is the best way to learn pharm?

4). Should I be worried that I have plateaued at the 50-55% range at this point?

5). I will finish world with one week before my test. . . what should I do that one week prior?

Thanks for any advice

Do not pay attention to your UW score. Have you taken an nbme to see where you stand right now? If you haven't, you should do one asap. That will tell you where are weak so you know what areas to focus on more. I Think spending 2-3 hours per block is a pretty good rate. If you are concerned about your UW scores then study an organ, then do the corresponding questions in UW.

 

[Step1TooSoon]

Is the world percentage not a good predictor? is that why I should ignore it? I was planning on taking an NBME this coming tuesday. . .

 

[Valadi]

Is the world percentage not a good predictor? is that why I should ignore it? I was planning on taking an NBME this coming tuesday. . .

World % is fine, but average it over your most recent ~5 blocks.

I would just use tutor mode up until 1 week or a few days before the test (assuming time isn't an issue for you that you need to practice for). This will immediately beat into your brain why things are right/wrong and will speed up the process.

You're aiming for a score less than 1 standard deviation above the mean, so don't try and kill it with a billion resources. FA will get you there. It will be you best friend. Annotate it with Uworld and sleep with it and you can get there. Again, memorizing 1 book cold is better than a superficial knowledge of several.

Consider doing DIT once more straight through.

 

[Valadi]

If you finish world early, then do it again!