USMLE Step 1 questions

How much time between the end of pathology/pathophys and your USMLE test date do you have?

My $0.02: These courses will form the bulk of the USMLE step 1 questions. I would learn these topics inside out and go for the Honors. If you have a month between the courses and Step 1, you will still be able to "crush it".

My strategy: During my last month of course work, I went over high yield behavioral science and BRS physiology. During my month off, I put in 8-10 hour days with a several nonproductive days. I did 95% questions and 5% review book.

Question sources:

Robbins pathology workbook (killer questions)
BRS pathology (end of chapter questions)
Univ of Utah Web path (online questions--free)
Lange Micro & Immunology (super tough questions but worth it)
BRS physiology (end of chapter questions)
Q-bank (average difficulty)
Pretest Micro (sucky questions with errors throughout-dont bother with any books in this series)
Board Simulator Series (Partially completed some of the organ based books--very tough questions but may not be your highest yield and definitely not recommended for your last 2 weeks of study since it will destroy your confidence)
Step 1 practice questions (last week questions)

Question tips:
Keep track of the questions that you miss so that you can repeat them in the last 2 weeks.
Dont go cover to cover with any source at once...mix question sources to minimize burnout.



First Aid for everything else in the last 3-4 days.

I am not that great of a standardized test taker. I thought that I studied hard for the MCAT but ended up with a 28. I was worried that I wouldn't do well because of my average test taking abilities. I busted a$$ in the month before the exam focusing on questions. My philosophy is that a question can only be asked in so many ways. It was good to see similar questions pop up in differant question books. I also knew that I sucked at biochem and that if they asked a detailed question with no clinical relevance, chances are that I would miss it, even if I only studied biochem for 3 months. First Aid hits anatomy, cell biology, biochem and pharm in enough detail to do good on step 1. In fact, I spent the day before the exam studying my weak (low-yield) areas from first aid.

Final score 244/99. My biochem subscores were a little bit above average even though I am an idiot with biochem. Anatomy questions were mainly peripheral nerve lesions and cranial nerves. cell biology questions were all answerable from first aid, pharm was mostly autonomic drugs and questions answerable from first aid.

Remember that Pathology really covers all of the above areas and that is what you should focus on. My $0.02.

HJ

HandJob, I PMed you about Step 1. Please let me know if you didn;t get the message.

Thanks - I got the message.

Did you get my 2nd PM?

HJ