YOU WILL SURVIVE USMLE Step 1 TIPS Who

YOU WILL SURVIVE USMLE Step 1 TIPS

Who…. to study with? • • • Alone Imaginary friends A friend in the room In a group Weekly groups

What…to use • • First Aid Q-Bank BRS Physiology and Pathophysiology High Yield – Embryology – Neuroanatomy – Behavior Science • Goljan • Take another practice test ½ to ¾ through studying • NBME exam from SSOM: 66% take it early, 15% use ½ way through studying, 11% took it at the end. – Take it early to see you are very likley to pass before you start studying. • Take another practice test ½ to ¾ through studying – This can be NBME, the free online, or the free one at the testing center.

Other Resources. . review lectures? • Faculty • Student Run (Mike Levitt powerpoints)

Where…to study? • School • Home • School Library: • Community Library:

Where…Chicago or burbs? • Multiple types of exams are given at the testing center, so you may be next to someone taking STEP 1, GMAT, Trucking licensure, or a written test (aka lots of clicking) • Head phones are supplied, but hurt if you wear glasses. You can bring your own ear plugs

When • Pick a date and stick too it! – Most complete 4 weeks of studying then take the test in week 5. – The last 3 -5 days many use for review. – You may feel you need to learn more, but you will probably forget things you learned earlier.

When…to start studying? • • • 59% students start immediately after finals 14% took time off after finals (the weekend) 12% started during spring break 12% started during winter break 3% claim to start during 1 st year (dorks!) • 77% would not have started earlier – 23% who would have started earlier all began after finals

Why • This will not be your favorite month, but it will be over soon. And, third year is a lot of fun.

Practical tips • Take a practice trip to your testing site- not a bad idea to take a practice test at your practice site$50 or so • The last 2 weeks of studying wake up when you need to on test day. • Do Test Center Tutorial prior to day of • Bring Lunch and many snacks • DO NOT TALK ABOUT YOUR TEST ONCE IT IS OVER- AT THAT POINT IT DOESN’T MATTER- ALSO DON’T GO HOME AND LOOK UP ANSWERS- CELEBRATE INSTEAD

Fun tips • • Exercise Eat well Do something fun every week A few glasses of wine the night before the test (Matt Boyce swears by it!) • A few bottles the night of the test!( Matt Boyce doesn’t remember this!)

HOW TO STUDY • THIRD YEAR SUCCESS STORIES • Sample Schedules