Getting Started Preparing for the USMLE Step 1 Exam

Goals

Develop an optimistic but achievable goal for the exam. Take into consideration the following:

  • Your performance in medical school: Is your performance usually above, at, or below the class mean?
  • Did you need to take make-up examinations?
  • How well you do on standardized exams (e.g. MCAT, ACT, SAT)
  • Your interest in a competitive specialty (e.g. orthopedic surgery, dermatology, opthalmology).

What to do now

  1. Focus on current learning. Having a good command of ongoing course material – don’t compromise current learning for "board review".
  2. Identify the resources you will utilize for your review. Select a review source for each subject area. Utilize general review books (i.e., First Aid for the USMLE Step 1, Step-Up for the USMLE Step 1) to make sure you are having good coverage of "most important" topics.
  3. Take inventory of past learning and identify deficit areas.
  4. As possible, incorporate some "board review" into your weekly schedule (i.e., ½ day on the weekend).
  5. Begin to review weak areas as well as material covered early last year.
  6. Plan to review one subject area (ideally biochemistry) during Spring Break.

Planning your review

  1. Set realistic, achievable goals for your review.
  2. Make a study schedule calendar that covers all subject areas and stick to it! If you are unable to complete an area in the time allotted, continue on to the next area in your schedule and build in end-of-day make-up time.
  3. Plan approximately 8 hours of study time each weekday, and 1 day of practice questions each weekend.
  4. Start the day with some practice questions on material studied the previous day.
  5. Complete the tutorial in the USMLE on-line Orientation materials to familiarize yourself with how to take the computer based Step 1. (By doing this prior to exam day, you will have an extra 15 minutes of break time.)
  6. Build in the 3 blocks of 50 test questions on the USMLE CD-Rom into your study plan.
  7. Take care of yourself and avoid burnout – exercise, eat right and get enough sleep.
  8. The USMLE Step 1 consists of seven 1-hour blocks of 50 questions (an average of 72 seconds per question) – practice timed exams.
  9. Plan out your break periods ahead of time for your exam day.