Step 1

[happening6]

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Hey everyone,

Do you know approx. how many percent of step 1 questions are directly testing for Pathology? I am just trying to figure out how to split my time between courses.

Appreciate the help.

 

[Phloston]

Everyone's exam differs, but pathology is the bulk of the Step1.

Pathology: Not surprisingly the bulk of the exam. Around 70% of the questions were patholgy questions or required pathology integration. I thought UW covered these sorts of questions really well, so there weren't really any surprises for me. I only had around 5 questions that came with pictures of gross pathology specimens.

 

[happening6]

Some people say 30% while some about 70%. Thats a huge range. Can anyone narrow it down a little bit based on past experience.

 

[ijn]

Questions are integrated. Most pathology questions aren't going to be pure pathology. It'll require biochemistry and pathology knowledge, anatomy and pathology knowledge, or physiology and pathology knowledge. You aren't going to get a definite figure, but you can't go wrong spending the bulk of your time on pathology.

I have no idea what the break down was on my exam, but 30% sounds implausibly low.

From the official USMLE website:

System
25%–35% General principles
65%–75% Individual organ systems

Process
20%–30% Normal structure and function
40%–50% Abnormal processes
15%–25% Principles of therapeutics
10%–20% Psychosocial, cultural, occupational, and environmental considerations