When to start UWorld for Step 1?

[blastokine]

Hey all,

Currently a 2nd year student going through organ systems as part of school curriculum and supplementing what we're learning in class with 10-15 Rx or Amboss questions a day. Right now I'm trying to learn our lecture material as best as I can so I can spend less time reviewing it during dedicated, and I've done well in my classes. Our 6 week dedicated period starts in February and the test is taken in March/April. My original plan was to start Uworld around November but some of my classmates have already started using UWorld and I've gotten conflicting advice on what I should do.

Many people swear by getting through Uworld 1.5-2x. Some say one thorough pass is sufficient. I know that I want to spend more time reviewing Uworld questions than I spend reviewing Rx and amboss questions, and also want to make anki cards out of questions/topics I miss.

I am now thinking about doing around 10 Uworld questions a day on material we've already learned, and 10 rx/amboss questions on material we're currently learning. My concern is there might not be enough hours in the day as making and doing Anki cards on top of my current work load is going to be a lot, and I'd like to not lose focus on my classes. What do the people of SDN recommend?

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[theonlytycrane]

I would recommend trying to get through UW once before dedicated, then reset it and do it again in dedicated. You basically want to memorize UW. UW is so close to the real thing its crazy.

Then when you take the real thing you want to know UW so well that you can say "oh yeah I saw this in UW, oh I remember how UW presented this, etc"

 

[esob]

This question has been answered at least 20 times on this forum and others. Please use the search function.

While technically true, it is still a valid question given that perspectives shift over time. The point gives me an idea, however, about having a sticky with FAQ's that would include metrics for how these trends are shifting over time. @TheDataKing, this sounds like something right up your alley 😀

 

[fldoctorgirl]

Many people swear by getting through Uworld 1.5-2x. Some say one thorough pass is sufficient.

According to actual data (people collecting scores vs UWorld passes), 2 passes didn't correlate with an increase in scores. People like to tout that advice for some reason but all of the actual data points against it. If you're going to repeat UWorld at all, I would only repeat incorrects, but I still wouldn't even do that. I'm a firm believer in saving UWorld entirely for dedicated, or starting several weeks before it officially begins so that you have enough time to get through it one time thoroughly. If you do it right the first time, you'll be solid. You should have seen nearly all of the material before you start UWorld, so I think it's a waste to start while you're still covering M2 material. Score increases are associated with increased number of unique questions, not hammering the same UWorld questions 2x. I would do other qbanks until close to dedicated and then start UWorld.

 

[longhaul3]

According to actual data (people collecting scores vs UWorld passes), 2 passes didn't correlate with an increase in scores. People like to tout that advice for some reason but all of the actual data points against it. If you're going to repeat UWorld at all, I would only repeat incorrects, but I still wouldn't even do that. I'm a firm believer in saving UWorld entirely for dedicated, or starting several weeks before it officially begins so that you have enough time to get through it one time thoroughly. If you do it right the first time, you'll be solid. You should have seen nearly all of the material before you start UWorld, so I think it's a waste to start while you're still covering M2 material. Score increases are associated with increased number of unique questions, not hammering the same UWorld questions 2x. I would do other qbanks until close to dedicated and then start UWorld.

Strongly agree with this. It is by leaps and bounds the most valuable Step 1 study resource, and I think it's a waste to use all the questions early.

 

[MedScat]

I will reiterate, saving UWorld until dedicated is important to gauge where you're at in terms of being ready for Step 1. You've already learned the material by dedicated so once you start UWorld, its just improving upon that fundamental educational foundation and catering it to Step 1 style so you can kill that exam. You can use the other resources mentioned while learning the material (Amboss, Rx, Kaplan - i recommend Rx for learning and Amboss if you have time for a supplement). This is very different than step 2 on the other hand. UWorld is used during M3 as a LEARNING tool not as a measurement of how much you know a topic since you haven't yet learned all the material yet. IDC what people say but if you do a first pass of UWorld, in my opinion, you will remember at least some questions and then you won't be able to use UWorld to accurately gauge your readiness for step 1 when redoing it during dedicated.

Moral of the story: Save UWorld for dedicated and focus on Rx and other resources and watching your B&B, Pathos, Sketchy now. I also rewatched Pathoma and Sketchy starting in January before Step 1.

Good luck!

 

[ThrowawayShmoaway]

How long did it take you guys to get through UWorld? (Especially for people who just took it this year or the year before since UW keeps adding questions)

 

[Gilakend]

You aren't going to get a straight answer. I've seen people swear by both methods (using before or saving it).

Personally, I'm going to try to do as many non-UW questions as I can first, then start UW around dedicated and give myself enough time to do it again if I want to. If I start doing it again and don't think I'm getting much, maybe go back to amboss or some other questions.

 

[blastokine]

I appreciate all of the responses, I'm still not sure which direction I want to take. I feel like most schools have their students take step 1 the summer after their M2 year, we're taking it in March/April which might make things a bit different for me.

Really going to have to think hard over the next couple days and decide what I want to do.