6 Tips for Preparing for the USMLE Step 1 Exam

Health is considered the bedrock of a prosperous society, and doctors play a vital role in maintaining it. 

From the times of Sushruta and Hippocrates, the position of doctors has remained irreplaceable. Their uncompromised zeal to cure the patient at any cost has taken human civilization out of catastrophes, calamities, and other hostile situations, saving humans and embracing humanity. 

Hence, there remains a perpetual requirement for the best doctors across the world. Also, learn about College Sports for Personal Growth by reading this article.

There are multiple exams for selecting proficient doctors and allotting them licenses. One such exam is the USMLE exam,  conducted by the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) and the National Board of Medical Examiners® (NBME®)

The exam is conducted in 3 stages, called 3 steps, of which step 1 is the most decisive stage. 

The USMLE Step 1 exam is an introductory-level exam. Here are some pivotal points regarding the USMLE Step 1 Exam. 

• It is a 1-day exam. 
• The exam is divided into seven 60-minute blocks.
• It is an 8-hour exam session (including a 45-minute break and 15 minutes for optional tutorial) 
• The seven blocks may have varying numbers of questions, with a maximum of 40 questions in any block.
• The exam will consist of a maximum of 280 questions.

As this exam requires rigorous preparation, some key tips should necessarily be considered by the aspirants for their preparation.

6 Workable Tips for Preparing For the USMLE Step 1 Exam

The USMLE Step 1 exam is the deciding stage of the entire exam process. This stage tests the candidate’s knowledge and understanding of the foundational concepts of the science.

To prepare for this exam, a patterned approach is always suggested, to keep the cluttered resources and unorganized strategy in order. To proceed in the same direction, here are 6 workable tips for the USMLE Step 1 exam.

1. Understanding the Paper – Understanding the nature of the exam is crucial to derive a strategy. It is a computer-based exam with multiple-choice questions. It means the answer to every question is in front of the candidates. They only need to deduce the answer and mark the right option in the time allotted. Hence focusing more on memorizing objective information and details than subjective knowledge is emphasized. 

2. Begin Preparation at the Early Stage of the Medical Course – The students stand eligible for the exam at the end of the second year of the medical course. As the syllabus of the medical course is the foundation of the USMLE exam, there comes a pressing need to start the USMLE exam preparation as soon as possible. The voids in the USMLE preparation will be filled by the thorough knowledge and understanding of the medical course. 

3. Opt for the Right Resources.  – Although the elementary books of the medical course act as a foundation for the exam, some other key resources are there to finetune the preparation. UWorld, First Aid, Anki, Pathoma, and Sketchy, collectively called UFAPS, are considered the fundamental study material for USMLE step 1 exam preparation.

• Pathoma – For fundamental pathology.
• Uworld – Question bank with detailed explanations. 
• First Aid – A book by McGraw Hill that comes with illustrations, mnemonics, and tables to grasp the crux of the concepts.
• Anki – The digital flashcard program that facilitates understanding the concepts.
• Sketchy – A visual learning platform to simplify the learning process.

Some other books recommended for pathology are Kaplan’s book, the BRS Book of Pathology, and Golgan. Golgan is considered a bit time-consuming by some aspirants. 

‘High-yield’ for Biostatistics, BRS series and the ‘High-yield’ series for Embryology and Histology, and ‘High-yield Series’ for Neuroanatomy are considered the best resources. 

Kaplan’s books for Anatomy, Biochemistry and Ethics, and Behavioral Science are also highly recommended. 

Apart from that practice papers should be supplemented with these resources to hit the bull’s eye in the exam. 

4. Supplement Preparation with USMLE Practice Sets – To make yourself conducive to exam situations, going through practice sets of the USMLE Step 1 exam is highly emphasized. The exam not only tests the knowledge but also tests how the candidates keep themselves calm while solving the paper. USMLE has a set of sample questions, a test format guide, practice papers, and a set of common questions from candidates to give a superficial idea about the exam pattern.

5. Take the Medical Course as a Parameter – The medical course has a lot to teach while preparing for the USMLE Step 1 exam. Make sure the preparation stays congruent with the course. The exam performance in the medical course stipulates the level of your preparation and will help gauging it accordingly. 

6. Make a Plausible Schedule – According to Joshua D. Brooks, PhD, associate director of medical academics at Kaplan Medical, it is better to start USMLE preparation as soon as possible than later. Brook has emphasized devoting a minimum of 6 months of dedicated preparation for the USMLE Step 1 exam but preferred 12 months, if possible. He also stressed diving deeper into the conceptual part of the subject matter, allotting sufficient time for learning the concepts and having spaced revisions. 

It is always advised to have a gap in the study schedule. Not to forget adjusting some spare time and a peaceful nap in your study plan. Mark daily agendas, weekly targets, and monthly timelines to make the schedule more elaborate and workable. 

Some other peripheral aspects to consider are having a good diet and staying fit throughout the exam preparation. Avoid eating too much in a single go, rather have 6-7 meals in periodic shifts. Have a light diet to avoid drowsiness. Also, have short sessions of exercise within your schedule to keep both mind and body working conjointly. 

Conclusion

The exam is a cornerstone in the career of doctors aspiring to work in the US. The students who are resolute in getting through the exam need a thorough understanding of the subjects and exam pattern. 

A study group of learned candidates, communities at college, or a group of dedicated friends can help you maintain the momentum in the preparation. But the foremost requirement is staying consistent in the efforts and avoiding the periodic burst of motivated preparation.

In the words of Michelle Obama – “There is no magic to achievement, it is all about hardwork, choices, and persistence.”

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