USMLE Step 1 Preparation by Keerthika

 USMLE Step one.

 A rollercoaster ride. I thank God for making this possible and giving me the strength to prepare and sit through this 8-hour exam.

I’ve shared my preparation timeline and I’ll be more than happy to answer questions, or help with your preparation in any way I can.

Resources used:

1) UWorld (GOLD)

2) First Aid (GOLD)

3) Sketchy Micro (GOLD)

4) Anki (GOLD) – I would recommend self-made cards

5) Kaplan lecture videos (2015) and notes (2017)

6) USMLE Rx (Flash cards and Qbank)

7) Amboss

My journey started with me subscribing to UWorld in December 2019 ( I blindly took that decision, even though my second year exams were around the corner in February). If you want to accomplish your goals, IT IS NOW OR NEVER.

I did a few tests, whenever I found time, and scored less than a 40% in almost every one of them.

After my university exams, from March 1st, my parents were constantly behind me to start serious preparation. I started watching one Kaplan video a day. There were 71 videos, four hours each. Watching the videos at 2x everyday just for the sake of it, wasted a good 3 months. UWorld was still lying dormant (A few tests now and then, but not annotating onto First Aid (FA) - ' MAJOR BLUNDER 1'). At this point, I took NBME 13.

On June 1st, my proper preparation started (still wasn’t sure about giving the exam), concentrating on UWorld (1 or 2 blocks a day), taking notes onto FA and a simultaneous first pass of FA- with a study partner (A quick brush through - around 20 days). Just to familiarize myself with the book.

In July, I did a slower, proper revision of FA (again with a study partner), digging deep into difficult concepts (referring to Guyton, Robbins, KDT, etc.), until they were clear. Some topics were a tough nut to crack. This consumed around one and half months. 

Midway during this, I took NBME 16 and then applied for Step 1 by the end of July (Still wasn’t confident enough to give the exam- but decided to give it within 2020).

By the end of July, I finished UWorld with a mere average score. 

As August concluded, I reset UWorld (MAJOR BLUNDER 2) and took NBME 19. I also booked the date for Oct 30 (Only because dates were filling up fast).

The first 20 days of September comprised of another full revision of FA (alone). Then,

Sept 22: 8 hr test (Rx Qbank)

Sept 24: UWSA1

Sept 27: NBME 24 (paid)

At this point, I preponed the date to Oct 16 (Just wanted to be done with this). Consequently there was no time for a final revision in October. I was forced to leave, about 3000 questions from UWORLD undone.

Sept 28: NBME 20 (unpaid offline)

Sept 29: Rx SIM1

Sept 30: NBME 22 (unpaid offline)

October comprised of the following schedule , emphasizing on the weak topics of FA. 

 Oct 2:   NBME 21 (unpaid offline)

 Oct 4:   NBME 23 (unpaid offline)

 Oct 7:   NBME 18 (PAID ONLINE)

 Oct 8:   Called Prometric (Exam Center) to confirm the appointment

 Oct 9:   Free 120 (was a mess – DO NOT RELOAD THE PAGE)

Oct 10:  An 8hr test (Rx QBank)

Oct 12:  UWSA2

Oct 15: 

Travel to Chennai ( I wanted to drive and missed out on 5 hours of 'First Aid' revision). The revision of the Neurological and reproductive system was still incomplete. At 5pm that evening, I suffered from a bad headache. 

Oct 16: 

The atmosphere was very tense, marked by uncertainty about the exam paper. Faith in  myself, my ability and preparation. Along with support from my family gave me the strength to face the exam. I was making and reviewing 'Anki cards'  throughout the preparation period (half an hour a day). 'Sketchy Medical' was very useful in microbiology revision. I maintained notes with all the similar words written down in alphabetical order. 

             

I wish to thank the seniors who helped and guided me, my study partner and my friends (for all the support during breakdowns, which frequented me very often) and last but not the least, constant support from family.

Although the journey can be tough with lots of uncertainty and doubts, the urge to give up. The feeling of being fed up and burnt out. As a student preparing, one needs to keep in mind that it’s going to be worth it in the end. Always be persistent, consistent and sincere with your preparation journey.

Rest, reach out for help, talk to somebody, but don’t give up.