Sureshot way for 230+

[jaguar1]

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Ok, So I ended up failing my first attempt despite both of my UWSAs in the passing range. 192 and 192.
I did FA like 3 times and Uworld once at 50% avg. I didn't do entire Goljan. Did a little bit here and there but no more than 25-30% if I have to put a value to it.

My strategies seem to have been wrong.
Considering a weak base for the 2 years of basic sciences, I am planning on doing Kaplan videos along with the books for one month and do Goljan and then Do Uworld+FA.

I have 3 months to do all these. Am i taking a realistic approach this time? Can someone guide me as to what tweaks can be made?

I failed at 187 by the way. I really don't wish to aim low this time around and wish to do well. Please help

 

[RPedigo]

Some of my classmates, including those who were weaker in the basic sciences of the first two years, did Doctors in Training, and they liked it quite a bit. They felt it added structure to their studying and helped "walk them through" First Aid. I didn't do Doctors in Training personally, but those that did ended up with decent scores. I want to say their average USMLE Step 1 score is around a 235 (but those are from self-reported scores, so it's obviously biased). If you're having trouble passing, one of those prep programs might be worthwhile for you.

Personally, I would just do First Aid and USMLEworld, because that's certainly all you'd need to get a passing score. Good luck!

 

[SuperSlacker]

I don't know if there's a guaranteed way...almost any method posted by the guys here would work if you put the time in (6-8 hours per day is good enough if you're focused).

For path, I regret not reading Goljan's rapid review book. However, I did just fine using BRS path and listening to Goljan's lectures (once, i would have started earlier in retrospect). What I did was to read BRS path + BRS physio for the organ system --> read first aid for that section --> do several blocks on Kaplan Qbank (using only questions for that subject) --> listen to Goljan audio, and make sure I can answer the questions that he poses (pause it and try to think of the answer before he gives it out) --> every morning/night do UWorld on random (I did 2 blocks of 48q in the morning and 2 blocks at night), but select only subjects you have finished in First Aid (for instance, I started off just doing anatomy and behavioral science questions because those were the subjects I studied first...then I added biochem, etc.).

Hope this helps!

 

[aa62]

agreed with the above post. If the OP has a weak foundation in the basic sciences (especially Path, Pharm and Micro)...I too suggest DIT - didn't do it myself, but heard some really good things about it. I think any review course should be able to provide structure to your studying.

I have to disagree with some of the posts on this board - FA + USMLEworld is not enough for a competitive score, unless you have been actively studying and memorizing everything taught your first two years of meds. I found the Kaplan review notes really good.

 

[BigRedder]

Man that sucks to fail with a 187 the year after passing was 185. Except now you can try to get a legit score. I think that given your admittedly weak background, you might want to consider a full Kaplan course. If you have already done UWorld, doing it again won't be that helpful, so you may need to go with Kaplan Qbank.

 

[Green Grass]

1) Study hard for your classes during M2 year
2) Finish USMLEWorld and add notes to FA as you go along
3) Read, read, read FA and RR Pathology

These three things will almost always guarantee 230+ if you take your studying seriously.