Question banks for step 1 prep

[ExplodingUlcers]

Incoming MS1. I'm sure there is a thread about this but I was hoping to hear from current med students who have recently taken Step 1 which question banks are helpful. Uworld seems the be the best for dedicated but would it wise to do something like USMLErx or Kaplan during non-dedicated as I go through the systems? I am generally looking for a means of helping me retain and reinforce the board relevant material during my first two years. Are there other question banks out there that are more useful than the ones I've already listed?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[watermelon master]

Incoming MS1. I'm sure there is a thread about this but I was hoping to hear from current med students who have recently taken Step 1 which question banks are helpful. Uworld seems the be the best for dedicated but would it wise to do something like USMLErx or Kaplan during non-dedicated as I go through the systems? I am generally looking for a means of helping me retain and reinforce the board relevant material during my first two years. Are there other question banks out there that are more useful than the ones I've already listed?

kaplan or rx as you go through 1st and part of 2nd and then uworld towards the end of 2nd year and uworld during dedicated. take your pick when it comes to getting rx or kaplan. also don't start either right away focus on learning the material then as the year goes on you can start the test bank

 

[mybluedog]

kaplan or rx as you go through 1st and part of 2nd and then uworld towards the end of 2nd year and uworld during dedicated. take your pick when it comes to getting rx or kaplan. also don't start either right away focus on learning the material then as the year goes on you can start the test bank

Have you heard about the differences between amboss and Kaplan? I'm deciding between those two as my 2nd Qbank. Thx

 

[aldol16]

I would do Kaplan as you go through the blocks and add in only the blocks that you've done. That helps to reinforce the material in a boards-relevant way. Save UWorld for the months preceding dedicated/during dedicated. Haven't used Rx so I can't comment on that, although I will say that Kaplan was very helpful for me. It even has the First Aid and Pathoma references and all. Amboss also makes really good questions. I would save those for later on as well.

 

[mrbreakfast]

I strongly recommend Kaplan. It's cheap and for Step 1 is almost as good as UW (IMO). Save UW for dedicated.

 

[honey0102]

I did both Rx and Kaplan. Recommend Rx

 

[Gilakend]

I did both Rx and Kaplan. Recommend Rx

Would you recommend only Rx? Or just Rx if you didn't have time for both?

 

[watermelon master]

Would you recommend only Rx? Or just Rx if you didn't have time for both?

I think kaplan is better than rx and I thought rx was better at first. Honestly just choose one and if you can afford it get both.

 

[honey0102]

Would you recommend only Rx? Or just Rx if you didn't have time for both?

I'd recommend both if possible. But trust me, with all the material there is in medical school it'll likely be hard to get through both-which is fine. I felt Kaplan was focused on tiny details, Rx prepared me better for Step

 

[ExplodingUlcers]

I would do Kaplan as you go through the blocks and add in only the blocks that you've done. That helps to reinforce the material in a boards-relevant way. Save UWorld for the months preceding dedicated/during dedicated. Haven't used Rx so I can't comment on that, although I will say that Kaplan was very helpful for me. It even has the First Aid and Pathoma references and all. Amboss also makes really good questions. I would save those for later on as well.

Is there a setting in Kaplan to screen out only the questions that were not covered in a particular block? My school uses a system based curriculum. Ideally, I wouldn't want to get tested on pathophys stuff until I actually go over the material in second-year.

 

[mrbreakfast]

Is there a setting in Kaplan to screen out only the questions that were not covered in a particular block?

If memory serves, yes. You can definitely screen by question type and topic.

 

[aldol16]

Is there a setting in Kaplan to screen out only the questions that were not covered in a particular block? My school uses a system based curriculum. Ideally, I wouldn't want to get tested on pathophys stuff until I actually go over the material in second-year.

Do you mean your school does physiology in the first year and pathophysiology in the second year? In that case, I probably wouldn't even start a QBank until the second year. The vast majority of your questions on Step are gonna be "Patient comes in with X and Y. What is their diagnosis and what is this fact related to the diagnosis?" You have to rely on your knowledge of physiology for sure, but it's a test that's designed to assess your pre-clinical knowledge as a medical student, which means your understanding of pathophysiology and disease processes.

You can sort questions by basic science discipline and organ block. So you could isolate only those questions related to biochemistry or something like that and try those but I wouldn't do the organ blocks until you're doing the pathophys/pathology part of your curriculum in that block.

 

[ExplodingUlcers]

Do you mean your school does physiology in the first year and pathophysiology in the second year?

I am assuming this is how my curriculum is structured but I'm not entirely sure to be honest. All it says is "Cardiovascular, Respiratory and Renal Medicine I" for a block in first year then "Cardiovascular, Respiratory and Renal Medicine II" for a block in second year. In any case, I'll definitely find out if this is actually how the information is presented and keep in mind your suggestions to hold off on organ system practice questions until second year. Thank you!

 

[Frogger27]

I'd recommend Kaplan >> USMLERx... I have gone back and forth a lot on this but feel Kaplan is better. I believe USMLERx is written by students and is much more simple buzz word heavy while Kaplan goes a little deeper and has better explanations

But UWorld >>>>>>>>>> Kaplan/Rx all day. It is not even close. Do whatever people at your school typically do in regards to UWorld. My school most people start it about 3 months out (vs using it along classes) and do 1.5 passes of it

Edit: You can also just buy both of them too- They always have those sales at the beginning and I ended up buying both for around ~200 total. Not a huge investment

 

[medicineman1234]

I'd recommend Kaplan >> USMLERx... I have gone back and forth a lot on this but feel Kaplan is better. I believe USMLERx is written by students and is much more simple buzz word heavy while Kaplan goes a little deeper and has better explanations

But UWorld >>>>>>>>>> Kaplan/Rx all day. It is not even close. Do whatever people at your school typically do in regards to UWorld. My school most people start it about 3 months out (vs using it along classes) and do 1.5 passes of it

Edit: You can also just buy both of them too- They always have those sales at the beginning and I ended up buying both for around ~200 total. Not a huge investment

How did you feel Kaplan and Rx Q's compared to nbmes in terms of difficulty? I'm noticing to get even like a 220 on nbme 13/15 you need an 80-85% and I don't see myself getting consistent 85s on the above qbs lol. Taking one of those this sunday

 

[7331poas]

How did you feel Kaplan and Rx Q's compared to nbmes in terms of difficulty? I'm noticing to get even like a 220 on nbme 13/15 you need an 80-85% and I don't see myself getting consistent 85s on the above qbs lol. Taking one of those this sunday

wut. an 85 on kaplan is very good

 

[subdermallight]

Also incoming M1. What’s all this First Aid and Sketchy and Pathoma, and all that..? Like where does this fit in with Kaplan and/or Rx and UWorld?

 

[Rusrus]

Also incoming M1. What’s all this First Aid and Sketchy and Pathoma, and all that..? Like where does this fit in with Kaplan and/or Rx and UWorld?

First Aid is a review book outline the high yield information from each subject.

Sketchy and Pathoma are similar in outlining high yield information, but are specific to bugs-and-drugs and pathology, respectively. (Sketchy covers other things as well, but I’d mostly recommend micro and pharm.) They both use videos to explain the information; Sketchy greatly incorporates visual learning into its teaching.

The rest that you mentioned are moreover question banks composed of “board-style questions.”

 

[medicineman1234]

wut. an 85 on kaplan is very good

No I meant I don't get it consistently. My average is 77 atm for kaplan not 80s just curious how it's possible that u need an 85% to barely get close to the average on nbmes lol even on Rx I never hit that except once in a blue moon

 

[subdermallight]

First Aid is a review book outline the high yield information from each subject.

Sketchy and Pathoma are similar in outlining high yield information, but are specific to bugs-and-drugs and pathology, respectively. (Sketchy covers other things as well, but I’d mostly recommend micro and pharm.) They both use videos to explain the information; Sketchy greatly incorporates visual learning into its teaching.

The rest that you mentioned are moreover question banks composed of “board-style questions.”

Ah thank you. When should I be using these materials? Would it be reasonable to use them even in first year to beef up my understanding of things learned in class? Or perhaps I won't have time

 

[7331poas]

No I meant I don't get it consistently. My average is 77 atm for kaplan not 80s just curious how it's possible that u need an 85% to barely get close to the average on nbmes lol even on Rx I never hit that except once in a blue moon

I don't think that is true. Most people getting around 80 are closer to 240 in my experience. But it isn't really predictive.

 

[NotYou20]

In my opinion step1 is difficult primarily because you have to remember so many facts with integration and application of those facts being relatively easy. Maybe 10% of the test primarily tests reasoning and critical thinking. Because of this I'd recommend using the time you would have spent on rx or Kaplan doing zanki flashcards. Unless you have a superb memory in which case rx or Kaplan are both good. I used rx and it was helpful but flashcards were more helpful in retaining information like you're looking for.

 

[medicineman1234]

In my opinion step1 is difficult primarily because you have to remember so many facts with integration and application of those facts being relatively easy. Maybe 10% of the test primarily tests reasoning and critical thinking. Because of this I'd recommend using the time you would have spent on rx or Kaplan doing zanki flashcards. Unless you have a superb memory in which case rx or Kaplan are both good. I used rx and it was helpful but flashcards were more helpful in retaining information like you're looking for.

Definitely both help each other. Sometimes u memorize a card and then the question shows where you understood or didn't. And then you edit the card so each time it comes up you know it for sure. Regret not doing this earlier

 

[subdermallight]

Definitely both help each other. Sometimes u memorize a card and then the question shows where you understood or didn't. And then you edit the card so each time it comes up you know it for sure. Regret not doing this earlier

I’m kind of lost, can you explain this again? I want to implement it

 

[Gurby]

I’m kind of lost, can you explain this again? I want to implement it

The problem with Zanki is that it's inevitable you will memorize a lot of cards, but misunderstand the information. You'll get the card right when it comes up, but you have some fundamental misunderstanding and will thus draw the wrong conclusion when you have to apply that information to a question later on. But you don't realize you are wrong about something until a practice question comes along and pokes holes in your mental framework.

Also you will memorize a card, but not be able to apply the information to a vignette because you only have the factoid memorized within the narrow scope of the text of the card.

However, I think there's no question that Zanki is a more efficient way to cram a lot of factoids into your brain. But it's important to do questions too, to refine that knowledge.

 

[Rusrus]

Ah thank you. When should I be using these materials? Would it be reasonable to use them even in first year to beef up my understanding of things learned in class? Or perhaps I won't have time

I use them as we go along our systems courses. They’re very useful in outlining the high yield and providing a more thorough but clearer explanation of some topics.

 

[hurtem&healem]

I'm finishing up my first year in a "two pass" curriculum. First year was physiology by organ system, second year will be pathology by system. I love MCQ's, but all the big qbanks are geared toward stuff I won't be learning until M2, e.g., specific bugs, drugs, drug reactions, path other than the major couple that we touch on during phys. There's no sense in paying for those first year. Zanki has been number one for me since day one, then towards the end of each block I scour books for MCQs. BRS is a solid go to for a few, but the biggest resource for me has been my library's website. Obviously ymmv depending on what subscriptions your school has bought, but we have access to several textbook publisher databases. "AccessMedicine" is McGraw-Hill's website and they have an excellent quiz generator with the review questions from each book. "ClinicalKey" has hundreds of books you can scan for chapter review questions. We have ExamMasters, but that's been garbage for first year, and from what I've gathered it pales in comparison to other qbanks for STEP1, as well.

FRAT: as soon as you have access, deep dive into the resources you have already paid for from your school library. For a two pass curriculum, they will be more useful than STEP 1 questions.

 

[aldol16]

How did you feel Kaplan and Rx Q's compared to nbmes in terms of difficulty? I'm noticing to get even like a 220 on nbme 13/15 you need an 80-85% and I don't see myself getting consistent 85s on the above qbs lol. Taking one of those this sunday

No I meant I don't get it consistently. My average is 77 atm for kaplan not 80s just curious how it's possible that u need an 85% to barely get close to the average on nbmes lol even on Rx I never hit that except once in a blue moon

My Kaplan average was around 75% and I consistently got >250 in the NBMEs. If you're at >75% on Kaplan and not doing well on the NBMEs, then maybe there's something wrong with your use of the QBank/study strategy? For reference, I also averaged >80% on UW which I think is a better QBank anyway.

 

[medicineman1234]

My Kaplan average was around 75% and I consistently got >250 in the NBMEs. If you're at >75% on Kaplan and not doing well on the NBMEs, then maybe there's something wrong with your use of the QBank/study strategy? For reference, I also averaged >80% on UW which I think is a better QBank anyway.

So looking back on the test I took I had lots of very careless mistakes and also just some timing issues I think in two weeks when I take 15 I'll have a good boost. Not terribly worried about the score since I have a few months and all of uworld to bring it to a 240-250 . Do you guys take breaks when doing nbmes?

 

[aldol16]

So looking back on the test I took I had lots of very careless mistakes and also just some timing issues I think in two weeks when I take 15 I'll have a good boost. Not terribly worried about the score since I have a few months and all of uworld to bring it to a 240-250 . Do you guys take breaks when doing nbmes?

Okay, so it sounds like you've identified the issue? I think a lot of it comes down to careful reading. If you don't, you might miss the one or two words in the stem that makes all the difference. This won't be an issue for the vast majority of questions but a rare few will try to trick you and if you're trying to maximize scores on the NBMEs, one question will drop you a few points at that end of the scale.

I break in between block 3 and 4 for lunch, but it may be better to just go straight through. On test day, if you break after block 5, you'll have done 200 questions which is the length of the whole NBME test. But if you want to break after block 4 on test day, you could probably break between 3 and 4 on the NBME.

 

[medicineman1234]

Okay, so it sounds like you've identified the issue? I think a lot of it comes down to careful reading. If you don't, you might miss the one or two words in the stem that makes all the difference. This won't be an issue for the vast majority of questions but a rare few will try to trick you and if you're trying to maximize scores on the NBMEs, one question will drop you a few points at that end of the scale.

I break in between block 3 and 4 for lunch, but it may be better to just go straight through. On test day, if you break after block 5, you'll have done 200 questions which is the length of the whole NBME test. But if you want to break after block 4 on test day, you could probably break between 3 and 4 on the NBME.

Ya I think I over thought more since I put too much weight on the baseline. I'll take 15 in two week after some uworld. Class is wasting lots of our time right now it's sad..