Tips for improving Step 1 score in four weeks?

[apaiguy]

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Hello,

I have taken NBME 6, 7, and 11, and I have somehow scored a 234 all three times. I would focus on improving the subjects that are suggested on the score reports, but each report contradicts each other. Each test was taken a week apart, and I feel there has been no improvement despite active studying. This has been extremely frustrating!

I am four weeks out from my exam, and my sources are FA and Uworld. I've completed Rx, and I have rapid review pathology, pathoma, and brs physiology for supplementary material.

I am aiming to surpass a 240 (and fingers crossed - 250). If it's relevant, I scored a 38 on the MCAT.

1st question: is it realistic to hit my target score by June?
2nd question: are there any NBME tests that you felt were predictive of your own score?
3rd question: any other recommended study materials?
4th question: any study strategies to help scores improve by 5 points (permanently) per week?

Thank you all for your helpful responses!

 

[tantacles]

Hello,

I have taken NBME 6, 7, and 11, and I have somehow scored a 234 all three times. I would focus on improving the subjects that are suggested on the score reports, but each report contradicts each other. Each test was taken a week apart, and I feel there has been no improvement despite active studying. This has been extremely frustrating!

I am four weeks out from my exam, and my sources are FA and Uworld. I've completed Rx, and I have rapid review pathology, pathoma, and brs physiology for supplementary material.

I am aiming to surpass a 240 (and fingers crossed - 250). If it's relevant, I scored a 38 on the MCAT.

1st question: is it realistic to hit my target score by June?
2nd question: are there any NBME tests that you felt were predictive of your own score?
3rd question: any other recommended study materials?
4th question: any study strategies to help scores improve by 5 points (permanently) per week?

Thank you all for your helpful responses!

I'm about 18 days out, and what helped me get out of the 230s was Pathoma. I'm using ONLY Pathoma, UWorld, and First Aid. I've been watching 1-2 chapters of Pathoma, doing 4 timed UWorld blocks (second pass through), and as many pages of FA as I can get through (30-50, depending on my focus.).

 

[bulldogmed]

Hello,

I have taken NBME 6, 7, and 11, and I have somehow scored a 234 all three times. I would focus on improving the subjects that are suggested on the score reports, but each report contradicts each other. Each test was taken a week apart, and I feel there has been no improvement despite active studying. This has been extremely frustrating!

I am four weeks out from my exam, and my sources are FA and Uworld. I've completed Rx, and I have rapid review pathology, pathoma, and brs physiology for supplementary material.

I am aiming to surpass a 240 (and fingers crossed - 250). If it's relevant, I scored a 38 on the MCAT.

1st question: is it realistic to hit my target score by June?
2nd question: are there any NBME tests that you felt were predictive of your own score?
3rd question: any other recommended study materials?
4th question: any study strategies to help scores improve by 5 points (permanently) per week?

Thank you all for your helpful responses!

It's not relevant. Stick to Pathoma, FA, and UW. Don't go outside these resources.

 

[Ionian]

Become smarter

 

[Apoplexy__]

1st question: is it realistic to hit my target score by June?
2nd question: are there any NBME tests that you felt were predictive of your own score?
3rd question: any other recommended study materials?
4th question: any study strategies to help scores improve by 5 points (permanently) per week?

1. Yes, a 240. 250 with ass-kicking work ethic and a bit of luck.
2. Can't say, haven't taken the real deal yet.
3. The trinity you've already been recommended -- Pathoma, UWorld, FA. Consider Kaplan Pharm videos to add to your subject-specific resources, but don't spend too much time on these resources.
4. Work hard, and get 7.5+ hours sleep/night. You'll be tempted to cut sleep for more study time, but just be more efficient and work harder in the daytime instead. In the end, nothing can guarantee a +5/wk increase.

 

[orchitisphlebitis]

1. Yes, a 240. 250 with ass-kicking work ethic and a bit of luck.
2. Can't say, haven't taken the real deal yet.
3. The trinity you've already been recommended -- Pathoma, UWorld, FA. Consider Kaplan Pharm videos to add to your subject-specific resources, but don't spend too much time on these resources.
4. Work hard, and get 7.5+ hours sleep/night. You'll be tempted to cut sleep for more study time, but just be more efficient and work harder in the daytime instead. In the end, nothing can guarantee a +5/wk increase.

This guy nails it.

Honestly, there's no point to studying way late (past 11pm for me). I know I'm waaay slower and much less efficient. Sleep>studying once you get past a certain point, no matter how tempting it seems to try and get more done.