step 1 qs

[DeVyne]

Hi..im preparing for the usmle step 1, i have a lot of time i think since im taking the exam hopefully within the next 6 months or maximum one year;however i havent been very good and i need to re-study almost everything. Could you please tell me what are the most important subjects i need to study and what are the subjects covered on the step 1? and if all the questions are clinical.. thank you.

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[DeVyne]

Please reply, i neeeeeeed help!

 

[neilc]

the most important subjects: path, physio, pathophysio, pharm, micro/immuno, biochem, behavioral science

but, you need to study everything, as you never know what will be emphasized on your specific exam. i reccomend that you buy first aid for step 1 and use that as a study guide. learn everything in that book, and use it as a reference for the type of material you will NEED to know. also, to see the types of question, use kaplan q-bank. if you know everything in first aid and kaplan, and do well on those topice, you are in decent shape.

all the questions are not clinical, but most are.

good luck

 

[doc05]

all the questions are not clinical, but most are

that's just plain wrong. none of the questions are clinical, though some are "clinical vignettes." zero clinical exposure is necessary; in fact, such exposure may hurt your score.

 

[neilc]

i do mean clinical vignettes and most are. just took the exam, and the majority were phrased in a clinical situation.

not plain wrong, accurate. look at the qbank questions and the sample questions for an accurate estimate of what the exam will look like.

i agree that you don't need clinical experience to do the test, and that it is more a basic science test. take it before clinicals.

 

[DeVyne]

Thanx a lot My main problem is, my dad wants me to do my internship though he knows they dont accept any internships in the states and that i will have to do it again anyway, but he says it will help me study better for the exam, but i disagree because i spend 8 hours in the hospital and starting next week ill be on call at nights! now how is it possible to study for the usmle and lead a normal life at the same time? i dont want to be studying 24 hours a day! so tell me, will it really help if i did my internship or does clinical exposure really 'hurt' my performance? please help, i need to talk some sense into my dad! and is studying 4-5 hours a day enough if im planning on taking the exam within the next 6-8 months? keep in mind that i did my basic sciences 5 years ago!

 

[frog4brooke]

Sit down, find a quite spot and hit the books for a few weeks.

The deal with STEP 1 is that is applying basic science knowledge to clinical situations. It's more to see if you know the theory, and recognize the syndromes, ect. There is not a whole lot about what the treatment is, that comes later on STEP 2, and 3.

What I would do is get something with a diagnostic test in it-see what you don't know, then design a study outline. I used the Board Simulator Series, but Kaplan Q bank also will do this-maybe more $, but less time then the paper and pencil method.

Good luck-
B

 

[realruby2000]

kind of off topic but does anyone know if we get to use scratch paper when taking step 1?

 

[frog4brooke]

You get to use a few laminated sheets of paper and dry erase marker-

Good luck
B

 

[rebeccamd]

I agree that First Aid is essential. I also used Kaplan review books. They are excellent for reviewing material before the boards. In fact, I have a set if anyone is interested.

 

[DeVyne]

How much do the kaplan review books cost?? and how many are they?