Need help on a concise plan for Step 1

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J ROD

J ROD

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First, I usually perform about average on standardized tests and would love to perform better. However, I dont have the time or money to buy tons of sources for Step 1.

My goal is for a 230-240.

What would be a good plan for sources to use? There are SO many sources out there and I am not sure where to begin.

I am thinking FA 2013 with Panthoma (reading about it makes it sound great)
and then UWorld............

along with some practice exams............

I am new to this game and trying to come up with a plan that will work for me. Some of you vets mind helping me out and giving me a good plan.
 
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I'm doing the same as above... UWorld, Pathoma, and FA. I really have to say that Pathoma is a great resource. He is really on point with super high yield facts that I never would have came across on my own (until learning from mistakes on the nit picky questions in UWorld).

Additionally I've supplemented micro with Clinical Microbiology Made Ridiculously Simple as well as Lippincott's Micro flashcards (something to flip thru while watching tv). Also the Biochem book by Harvey and Champe came in handy for lecture... may refer to it for boards as well (bought the 4th edition for like $15 on amazon).
 
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no need for pathoma. just know the pathology in kaplan me and use kaplan me alongside first aid and do uworld. if you still have time, then do kaplan qbank.
 
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thecalccobra said:
Is it true that FA is becoming less high-yield every year and can't be relied upon like it once could?
Click to expand...

FA is weak in areas such as molecular biology, anatomy, and physio. this is why its imperative to supplement it with kaplan me.
 
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jekyllish said:
San2 is infamous for being a potential Kaplan bot or employee. I don't think there is one post I've read by him/her that doesn't mention Kaplan.
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He also has a huge hard on for israeli medical schools if I remember correctly.

I do have to agree that first aid is pretty sparse in the anatomy section though. Although I hear tell it still basically covers everything you need to know for Step 1 in anatomy anyway...

Pathoma is the shiznit although some people still swear by Goljan. I feel like I don't have enough time right now to go through all of Goljan and I'd rather do my path withh Pathoma while shoring up some of my weaker areas like micro.

Another Qbank can't hurt if you have the time (USMLERx or Kaplan). Depending on when your test is though you might have to do a significant number of questions a day to get through another Qbank at this point so it might also be a waste of money.

Edit: I'm not a vet though, still studying like you.
 
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Uworld will fill in the FA anatomy gaps and before you head off to another bank do uworld again ..... Knowing the info in uworld is much more high yield than doing a bunch of new questions from an inferior qbank.
 
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There's no good resource for anatomy besides what's in FA, UW, and what you remember from 1st year. The anatomy questions on my exam were completely random. It's pretty much low yield to spend days to study for anatomy since there are so few questions on the exam.
 
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although anatomy itself is low yield... neuro anatomy is HY right? I've heard HY neruo and kaplan's notes on neuro are the best prep for that. Can someone confirm?
 
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The pictures in HY Neuro are great but I don't think its necessary to read the entire book. There is enough in FA + uworld.

I went through the pics once early in my study period and again right before the test.
 
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Since many are taking the test now or just have finished.

I wonder if this plan is still on point.

Or what other options did some use they thought were helpful.

I dont take mine until next yr but I KNOW this is the key for the first 2 yrs and want to do well. I dont kill myself in classes......strong B so far. But, like I said above I would like to do better than average despite being an average testtaker on these things.

Anyways, appreciate some current thoughts 🙂
 
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J DUB said:
bump
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Except for Kaplan-obsessed dude, I think you've gotten great replies where all say at least FA + UW.

I'll add going over weaknesses/confusing-subjects during free time of your school breaks. It helped me out b/c I turned Embryo & Immuno from my weakest areas in UW into 2 of my 3 greatest strengths after I reset UW.
 
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I scored a 245 on NBME form 15 with just Pathoma, Uworld, and FA 4 days before the real thing. I'm currently waiting on my real test scores.

IMHO Its enough provided you studied hard during the first two yrs of med school.
 
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Heya I am a Medical Student in the UK. I am halfway through my Year 2 of Medicine and was looking into doing the USMLE step 1 exam.

Unfortunately I learn from making my own notes from textbooks rather than via computers/tablets. I heard that the First Aid for the USMLE Step 1 is 75% of the step 1 but what other books are required then for the other 25% of the content?

I am looking to get a good mark of 230/240? I have a good 6 months to do notes and learn till I sit the exam. Obviously doing online Qbank questions and practice MCQs in between.
 
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J Dub, I'm in the same boat in that I'm looking for study strategies for this year's step 1. Many upperclassmen have really promoted the minimalist approach of first aid/pathoma/uworldx2. Do you have any thoughts on the Taus method?
 
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JeetKuneDo said:
J Dub, I'm in the same boat in that I'm looking for study strategies for this year's step 1. Many upperclassmen have really promoted the minimalist approach of first aid/pathoma/uworldx2. Do you have any thoughts on the Taus method?
Click to expand...

The Taus method emphasizes repetition of FA and UWorld, just like your upperclassmen. And I wholeheartedly agree. Most people's experience with the Taus method was that it was a great framework to go off of, which they adjusted to their individual needs. If you have a strong background in a subject, you may not feel like buying that book or may use it very cursorily. If you're really not getting a subject, you may deviate more from the timeline and devote more time to it.

Basically, Taus = the gold-standard, timeless advice of FA+UWorld repetition, with an all-encompassing recommendation of supplements and framework for you to modify to your needs.
 
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kirbymiester said:
The Taus method emphasizes repetition of FA and UWorld, just like your upperclassmen. And I wholeheartedly agree. Most people's experience with the Taus method was that it was a great framework to go off of, which they adjusted to their individual needs. If you have a strong background in a subject, you may not feel like buying that book or may use it very cursorily. If you're really not getting a subject, you may deviate more from the timeline and devote more time to it.

Basically, Taus = the gold-standard, timeless advice of FA+UWorld repetition, with an all-encompassing recommendation of supplements and framework for you to modify to your needs.
Click to expand...

I think I'm going to try to follow the Taus method and see how it goes. Do you know for the Taus method, for systems, is there a reason Taus has it ordered the way it's written down (msk, heme/onc, skin, cardio, reproductive, etc...), or is this just due to how first aid was ordered back when he took the exam?
 
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JeetKuneDo said:
I think I'm going to try to follow the Taus method and see how it goes. Do you know for the Taus method, for systems, is there a reason Taus has it ordered the way it's written down (msk, heme/onc, skin, cardio, reproductive, etc...), or is this just due to how first aid was ordered back when he took the exam?
Click to expand...

The ordering should be according to your strengths - his recommendation is to do all weakest subjects first. It may not say that in an old edition of the doc if that's what you're looking at, so here's the most updated version I have.
 

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