hello USMLEers
my step 1 experience > score = 259
I am an IMG graduated 8 months ago , my rank in my batch is 81/444
step 2 CK not taken yet
initial target : 240 , post nbems target : 250
study duration : 7 months..of which 1.5 months dedicated
sources :
UWORLD (1.5)
first aid (1.5)
pathoma ( only videos )
study method :
first 5.5 months was slow understanding of FIRST AID ...only understanding ..very slow... I studied 4-6 hours 5-10 pages every day . I studied with the book sequence of chapters starting which helped a lot...if you don't have a good microbiology / biochemistry / pathology starting with them will help you in systems .
after doing every subject I solved 50% of the uworld question on that subject
in the dedicated I solved whole the UWORLD random timed(30 days) , spent 10 days reviewing memorable subjects from FA like micro and biochem and studying weak subject in my NBME 17 , solved 3 nbmes
numbers :
uworld average : 89% ( maybe high because I solved 50% of the question offline with systems) , my exams range between 67% and 100%
NBME 16 (offline)(2 months ) : 250
NBME 17 ( online)(20 days out,post uworld) : 263
NBME 18 (online) (5 days out, post studying weak subjects) : 271 ( I guess it was a lucky one)
NBME 15(offline) (2 days out) : 260
real deal = 259
things you should know:
1- start Uworld as early as possible : I believe this is the single best source ...and it's the most trustful one if your percent in the last 5 days in uworld random exams is like 80% I can guarantee you will get more than 245 and less than 260 with a CI of 95% , if you got 50% in your last uworld random exams I guarantee you will not get more than 240 , and so on ...I can see this with everyone around me ...and those uworld are more accurate to me than NBMEs
2- you should do Uworld random timed ...you can do other modes...but you should practice the real deal with random timed ...it a questions exam more than a knowledge exam...don't stuck to tutor mode looking for "not wasting your time on reading the Q again .
3- read every explanation in the Uworld , even those of wrong choices ...all of them
4- sleep good days before the exam not only the last night...because you might not because of the stress ..but it would be ok if you slept like 10 hours the day before
5- FIRSTAID is not the real bible of step 1 ...I believe it's uworld , 50% of hard first aid fact will only be seen in less than 2% of the question ,,,so if you reviewed first aid days before and found that you forget too many drugs/viruses / diseases ...it's OK ,... it's more likely to get a question of peptic ulcer as a side effect of NSAIDS than getting a question about DRESS syndrome as a side effect of the drug I don't even remember
6- be smart : know why the disease name is like this , use etymology , know that warthin tumor AKA papillary cystadenoma lymphomatosum...those thing will help you a lot. know how the trematode looks grossly , just have a look ,,,those easy things might help.
7- if you are not getting better in NBMEs or uworld, or you reached your target...take your exam...the worst thing is delaying ...step 1 is about knowing all the high yields for a short time .
good luck
