What is the better approach to U-World question blocks during dedicated?

[Treebeard]

I have 2 thoughts on this and would love some input on the better way to go:

1) The suggestion I have frequently seen online is to do a timed block of 40 questions, then review them, rinse and repeat. Most suggest doing 2 blocks or maybe 3 blocks per day in this fashion. If you did this 6 days per week, you would get through 14-21 blocks, and 1 pass of UW would take ~4 weeks.

2) The other idea I had was to actually do 7 timed blocks in a row, allowing 45 minutes of total break time (ie - full test conditions). If I use this strategy, I could do 7 blocks Monday and review them Tuesday, 7 blocks Wednesday and review them Thursday, 7 blocks Friday and review them Saturday, and then take Sunday off or use it to study specific material, go over FA, watch Pathoma, etc. This would be 21 blocks per week, so definitely a full pass in 3 weeks. I think this method would be better for building up stamina and the review days may actually be stress-reducing to some degree (at least compared to days with Qbank). Am I missing anything with this idea?

thanks!

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[theonlytycrane]

You're very much underestimating the time it should take to carefully go through and learn from each question. If you're pressed for time in dedicated you should start UW sooner. Otherwise don't realistically expect to get through 2-3 blocks per day consistently on your first pass if you want to learn as much as possible from this resource.

 

[Treebeard]

You're very much overestimating the time it should take to carefully go through and learn from each question. If you're pressed for time in dedicated you should start UW sooner. Otherwise don't realistically expect to get through 2-3 blocks per day consistently on your first pass if you want to learn as much as possible from this resource.

Do you mean underestimating?

 

[atomi]

Your second scenario isn’t just overly optimistic with a high probability of burnout, it’s actually impossible.

 

[Treebeard]

Is 2 question blocks per day really that ambitious? They take an hour to do, obviously. So even if you spent 4 hours reviewing, that still only a 10 hour day.

 

[takeurmeds02]

Your second option scares me. You're taking full-length tests every other day. Just break it up and start early; plus you'd get more repetition if you're reviewing each day instead of every other day.

The point of UWorld isn't to finish it, it's to learn as you go and fill in the gaps. There's a reason why 3 blocks per day is where most people hit their max. Dedicated is soul-sucking.

 

[kb1900]

2 blocks a day * 21 days = 1 pass done in three weeks.


I see no reason to do option B unless it’s youre like 2nd pass of uworld or you don’t have nbmes. Also review days are probably more intense than uworld days if you’re reviewing 40x7 questions. Don’t see any logic in why they would be less stressful

 

[Treebeard]

Alright, maybe that idea was bad. 2/day it is!

 

[mehc012]

You're very much underestimating the time it should take to carefully go through and learn from each question. If you're pressed for time in dedicated you should start UW sooner. Otherwise don't realistically expect to get through 2-3 blocks per day consistently on your first pass if you want to learn as much as possible from this resource.

I did 2-3 blocks each day pretty consistently for the first month or so of dedicated (Kaplan first, then UW, taking days off frequently overall). Woke up early, did 3 blocks of full mixed on untimed tutor mode, reading each answer explanation and jotting down a note if there was something I needed deeper review on, or if there was a single factoid I thought worth memorizing. Occasionally added Ankis from the more valuable factoids. Finished that by lunch most days and then did subject review until dinner and took the evenings off.

 

[studentdocftw]

Do 2 blocks per day, and learn every word. Don't do your 2nd idea...the retention will be awful.

 

[Anesthesia_IMG_24789]

Your second scenario isn’t just overly optimistic with a high probability of burnout, it’s actually impossible.

^^ He's right. Couple blocks per day plus review. Reinforce with some books (FA, Pathoma etc.) and/or some videos.