NBDE 1 - When to take? How/what to study?

[Glimmer1991]

Hey, guys!

I'm trying to figure out when the best time would be for me to take the NBDE Part 1, and I would greatly appreciate your help! I'm also curious about the most EFFICIENT way to study. I'm looking to study over a period of 1-2 weeks.

So, here's the deal--most people at UNC take Boards over Christmas break after studying 2-3 weeks. Normally, I'd be totally up for that. However, I'm getting married on December 18th. If I take NBDE Part 1 on December 14th--which is what I was initially planning on doing--I'd have 9 days to study after we finish final exams. It'd make for one heck of a stressful break, though! There are still some odds and ends to take care of for the wedding.

Alternatively, I can take the NBDE over my spring break in March. That'd give me 6 full days to study.

I know you have to wait three months between potential retakes. We are REQUIRED to have passed NBDE 1 before we begin our 3rd year. That means I'd need to have my score report in hand by ~August 15th. If I were to retake on, say, July 18th... do you think I'd have my scores back in time? That'd mean I'd need my scores back in about 3.5 weeks. What's the longest you've ever heard of them taking?

I have fantastic grades in dental school, but that certainly doesn't mean I've retained everything. I'm a pretty good test taker, though, and I'm really hoping that ~1 week is enough to study. I've heard from a few folks that it is. (Thank goodness that all we have to aim for is a "pass!") But, if I'm being delusional, someone please tell me!

As far as study materials are concerned, I have purchased DENTIN (which I think used to be Boards Busters) and the Dental Decks. I have a copy of the ASDA tests I-N. Should I get First Aid? Anything else?

Basically... If you were in my position, what would you do?

Thank you all SO much!

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[Bifenthrin]

Honestly, I spent like 3 weeks this summer leisurely reading through dental decks. And when I say leisurely, I mean that I spent maybe 4 hours a day studying, tops. The rest of my time was spent going out with friends, watching TV, and napping. And then the last few days leading up to the exam I was doing the Kaplan Q-bank for like two hours a day or so, and going over those answers after.

So basically, you'll be fine if you study hardcore for like a week to two weeks.

 

[CleverThought]

A lot of current D3s used B and B Dental and I'm using it for my studies now. I really like it so far.

Speaking from someone that has zero experience and is in the same position as you, have you considered one of the first few weeks of January? A couple of my classmates are taking the week of Jan 18 because we don't have exams the first couple weeks back. So that may be an option if you're open to it.

A bunch of D3s said that they studied for only a few days and ended up passing. You're extremely smart, so I wouldn't question you if you studied for only a week or less for the exam!

 

[distressstudent]

You can study it with me! but i am not taking it yet so you will have to wait

 

[sgv]

Go through decks in sequence twice and you should be good to go. 2 weeks of solid studying is safe.

 

[THS]

Yeah I went through a pdf version of dental decks once and a half. Maybe a couple hours a day for two weeks and I did fine. I took it the summer after D1 so I wouldn't have to worry about it during D2. And I'm getting married next summer so that was out for me.

 

[LaughingGas]

studied few days. I wouldn't worry about you at all. I used my own notes combined with dental decks. Focused mainly Gross and dental anatomy. The rest, well, I just glanced at them.

 

[gn4]

I'm doing dental decks right now. I take my test in 9 days. I was told by upperclassmen that you don't need more than 2 weeks to study for it. I'm mostly kinda reviewing dental anatomy, gross anatomy, and microbio because those are the easy questions that I shouldn't miss

 

[Glimmer1991]

Thank you all SO much! You've made me feel a lot better.

@CleverThought YESSSS!!!! That is perfect! I rescheduled for the 19th, since the 18th was booked everywhere around me. We don't have tests until the first week of February, so your suggestion works out fantastically. Thank you! Also, when are you taking the exam?

@gn4 Please let me know how it goes! I would tell you that you're going to pass with flying colors, but well... that goes without saying! 😀

 

[LFA20]

dang i thought 3 weeks were not enough lol...

 

[CleverThought]

Thank you all SO much! You've made me feel a lot better.

@CleverThought YESSSS!!!! That is perfect! I rescheduled for the 19th, since the 18th was booked everywhere around me. We don't have tests until the first week of February, so your suggestion works out fantastically. Thank you! Also, when are you taking the exam?

@gn4 Please let me know how it goes! I would tell you that you're going to pass with flying colors, but well... that goes without saying! 😀

Dec 31st! It's really coming up on me!

 

[Jordwin]

Yeah, don't worry about it Glimmer. If you get through the decks you should be solid. Congratulations by the way!

 

[p4cific2012]

Three weeks? That's plenty of time! You guys will be fine.

 

[gn4]

Yea..I took it today Glimmer. I don't think it was that bad. If you get through the decks, you will be ok. I had a couple of repeat deck questions. If you running out of time on decks, i'd just focus on head and neck anatomy, tmj, and occlusion

 

[deleted659902]

Surely I can't be the only one using First Aid USMLE Step1 to prepare for Part 1?

 

[gn4]

Surely I can't be the only one using First Aid USMLE Step1 to prepare for Part 1?

FA USMLE? I have classmates who used FA NBDEpart1 and did fine. They passed. FA USMLE doesn't have dental anatomy and TMJ stuff that you will have to know. It's good for the non dental questions. But it's overkill imo