USMLE Step 1 Exam Day - Survival Kit by Keerthika

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My existence revolved around UWorld, First Aid, Anki and Sketchy. Suffering from burnout - mentally, physically and emotionally, had left me exhausted and in a state of despair.





The day of ultimate revelation had arrived; here I was, staring at the computer screen in the prometric center. 


Akin to rubbing salt on the wound, questions of self doubt arose ‘Have I made the right choice to give the exam in third year or should I have given it after the house surgency?’ or ‘should I have postponed the exam?’ 


Have trust in yourself and your preparation. This day is the final dash to the finish line, this is the pinnacle and nothing will ruin it.


A WEEK BEFORE THE EXAM:


For the night owls out there, the first thing to do is to correct your diurnal rhythm, lest you will be sleeping with your eyes open on exam day. 


Confirm your appointment with the prometric centre. Brush up the topics that you’re not confident about one last time. I wouldn’t recommend doing a simulation test during the last week.

 

ONE DAY BEFORE THE EXAM:


Reach the exam city one day before. Go to the place where you’re staying and drive to the prometric centre to familarize yourself with the route. A wrong turn on the way to the prometric centre is the last thing you need on exam day. Several posts say take the last day off, but I had to review two systems at 6 in the evening (neurology and reproduction), but just don’t drain yourself out. Get a good night’s sleep. 

Do not try anything new (a new drug, a new topic, a nice shawarma from the street side shop nearby- all that can definitely wait).


PLANNING WHAT TO EAT:


Deciding the meal plan on exam day is vital. It's 8 hour long, with 45 minutes of allowed break, that you can split up according to your fancy. Trust me, there’s no time for a meal. 


My family sent me in, like I was going for a picnic, but I ended up eating a few cashews, chocolate and a flask of warm milk. Sugar rich, quickly consumable food alongside something to drink, will be ideal. To boost the brain and prevent yourself from dozing off.


PACKING YOUR BAG:


Most importantly, The SCHEDULING PERMIT and PASSPORT. Pack adequate eatables, a jacket. Carry adequate water. Books- TAKE BOOKS WITH YOU ONLY IF YOU’RE CONFIDENT THAT IT WILL NOT WASTE YOUR TIME AND NOT KILL YOUR SPIRIT. 


The mobile phone will have to be switched off and kept in your bag. The bag can be kept in the locker provided to you.


EXAM DAY:


On exam day, clear your mind off everything and reach the centre at around 7 30 am. You will be anxious, excited, nervous and scared. It’s normal. The locker facility will be provided.


Look for the restroom before the exam, to prevent any hassle later on. Once you’re ready, you don’t have to wait till 8 am to enter and start. You can start the exam as soon as you’re inside.


WHAT TO WEAR:


Everytime you go in after a break, you will be asked to turn out pockets, turn up collars, roll up sleeves and remove any extra bit of clothing. 


All this time will be taken away from the already meager breaktime. To avoid delay wear short sleeved clothes, preferably with no pockets or collars. Do not wear any accessories (Eg:watch). If you think you might not tolerate the AC inside, wear a jacket when you go in first and leave it on the chair when you come out for the break.


DURING BREAKS:


45 minutes is adequate, but it includes the time taken for frisking each time you enter the hall. You will have to come out, even to take a sip of water. Plan your breaks properly, otherwise you will end up losing time from the last block. 


I took my first break (around 10 minutes) after doing the first two blocks, and then a break (5 minutes) between each block. At the end of the day, I had 6 seconds of break time remaining.


THE TEST:


You will be provided with noise cancelling earphones (very useful). The thought of racking your brains for the next eight hours might be equally exciting and scary, but once you start, you’re going to become an automated question solving machine. The day will be over in a jiffy.


AFTER THE TEST:


Even after I was out, I had this unsettling gut feeling whether or not I made the right choice to give the exam in third year. This will settle only with the score. 


Do not dwell on what the result will be, and start doing whatever you’ve postponed the last few months saying ‘exam mudiyattum paathuklam.’ (Translation from Tamil-  "Let the Exam get over, then we shall see ").

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