Test taking strategies (not for content)?

[secants]

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Hey guys,

So there are tons of threads on how to dominate the content of Step 1 but not so much on how to actually take the test so wanted a place where people can maybe chime in with advice.

These are some of the things people have told me:

-with a long passage, read the last line 1st then always read from beginning and in full

-only read question once

-always paraphrase after each sentence in question and think of an answer before you look at the choices

-never change answers on anything except “marked” q’s

-only check answers of questions marked for review

Other things:
-Skip the tutorial to add an extra time to your break
-People feel the last block is harder but usually it's because you're burned out from doing the prior 7, so take a minute break or so.
-if you ingest caffeine, make sure you time your bathroom breaks accordingly

 

[kaleerkalut]

Hey guys,

So there are tons of threads on how to dominate the content of Step 1 but not so much on how to actually take the test so wanted a place where people can maybe chime in with advice.

These are some of the things people have told me:

-with a long passage, read the last line 1st then always read from beginning and in full

-only read question once

-always paraphrase after each sentence in question and think of an answer before you look at the choices

-never change answers on anything except “marked” q’s

-only check answers of questions marked for review

Other things:
-Skip the tutorial to add an extra time to your break
-People feel the last block is harder but usually it's because you're burned out from doing the prior 7, so take a minute break or so.
-if you ingest caffeine, make sure you time your bathroom breaks accordingly

I'm liking this thread a lot! I've heard timing your bathroom breaks is a great idea.

 

[1badvette]

what worked well for me , i would mark and skip any Q with a graph and come back to it at the end ..

 

[secants]

What about the Arrow Patho-Physio type questions?

 

[1badvette]

What about the Arrow Patho-Physio type questions?

Yup .. that too, it really worked good for me , most of the time even if you answer them on the spot you mark them hoping you come back to them and check ur answer if u have extra time , so by doing it that why u save time and better chance of getting them right .

 

[gravitywave]

i don't think you have to skip the tutorial, just zap through it really quickly to make sure the sound works on your machine. you'll still get the remaining 14:30 or whatever attached to your total break time.

 

[just_SAIYAN]

Bump


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[placeboconspiracy]

quite the bump

 

[arcus]

quite the bump

Whenever I see “bump” I think of Ft Lauderdale and booty bump. Just saying

good test taking strategies include

• doing UW1 and UW2.
• Skip the tutorial
• time your breaks
• spend no more than 45 secs on each question during UW

The actual Step 1 exam flies when you prepare beforehand.