Smart to start UWorld during my first year?

[SSSMDt]

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Hey all,

I am a first year med student and was wondering if it is smart to start UWorld this early? I am thinking about about doing a few questions a night on the topics I've learned so far. I just don't really know much about the mechanics of UWorld though to be honest. Is this smart to do? Overkill?

Thanks

 

[Anti-PD1]

It's not smart. UWorld is an exceptional learning tool, and a great way to assess your knowledge base. Save it for your dedicated study time.

In your first two years, do Kaplan and USMLE Rx. Both.

 

[IslandStyle808]

Not in first year. You're better off learning the subjects the best you can. You should use firekracker and B&B for first year. Use UWorld for at least 2nd year.

I'm currently going through Uworld now as a 2nd year 6 months out (started January), and am glad I choose this time and not dedicated.

 

[USMLE_Pro]

Agree with many above, I would NOT start UWorld in your 1st year. In my experience, the best way to use UWorld is to do it one time and one time only, random, timed blocks during your dedicated study period.

 

[Pepe18]

.

 

[drrios]

I did. I have a 1.5yr integrated curriculum. When I started using it MS1, my class grades (based on old NBMEs) went up to the 90s (was in the low 80s first semester). I also used kaplan.

Now I'm 1.5 weeks away from my Step dedicated, trying to get through RX and I've been averaging in the 90s on timed random.

My friends who got in the upper 250s-260s recommended getting through UWorld before dedicated. You'll hear lots of different opinions from different people, but I definitely think it helped me.

(It is person dependent and curriculum dependent. Obviously don't use UWorld if you don't have an integrated curriculum)

How early in 1st year did you start doing Uworld questions?

 

[Fission Chips]

Hey all,

I am a first year med student and was wondering if it is smart to start UWorld this early? I am thinking about about doing a few questions a night on the topics I've learned so far. I just don't really know much about the mechanics of UWorld though to be honest. Is this smart to do? Overkill?

Thanks

Don't do that. I DO recommend getting through Uworld before or in your dedicated depending on how long you have, but my god don't waste those beautiful questions in your first year. If you want to use a qbank throughout first year, use Rx (AKA first aid in question form). That way when you get to dedicated, you will essentially have a majority of First Aid covered and can apply that knowledge to your Uworld questions, which require a deeper level of critical thinking.

 

[DubbiDoctor]

I did. I have a 1.5yr integrated curriculum. When I started using it MS1, my class grades (based on old NBMEs) went up to the 90s (was in the low 80s first semester). I also used kaplan.

Now I'm 1.5 weeks away from my Step dedicated, trying to get through RX and I've been averaging in the 90s on timed random.

My friends who got in the upper 250s-260s recommended getting through UWorld before dedicated. You'll hear lots of different opinions from different people, but I definitely think it helped me.

(It is person dependent and curriculum dependent. Obviously don't use UWorld if you don't have an integrated curriculum)

What exactly is an integrated curriculum?

 

[docmcstuffins3]

What exactly is an integrated curriculum?

Its when your school is taught by organ system blocks and each block includes all the relevant biochem, histo, anatomy, and physio for that system. So instead of being taught ALL of biochem for every system as a separate class then physio for ALL the systems as a separate class, they will integrate the subjects for each organ system.