USMLE part 1 Zaheer qureshi

Sharing my Steps Experience on demand of my colleagues.

Brief Creds:
Step 1: 250+ (4.5 Months) Exam 22 Aug
Step 2: 245+ (4.5 Months) Exam 23 Feb
Cs: First Pass (1 Month)

Thanks to Allah the most graceful, I managed to pass USMLE Step 1 with a good score, and I think sharing the experience with my colleagues pursuing
the same path is the best thing to show my gratitude. It Is a personal experience and may not be
suitable for all.

Steps exams do not always take more time as estimated earlier, depending on how much dedicated the time you have for preparation. If you are doing a part-time job with steps, double the time of prep. You need constant motivation, the trust of your family, eye on the goal, and ideally a good study partner. I did it without study partner.

I did Step 2 CK before Step 1, which helped me of course. I will not recommend anyone doing the same. Step 1 should be taken before Step 2 CK as per my opinion.

Step 1:
First Kaplans with videos(must), then Fa and UW. It is same in any one's experience. I did 2.5 month Kaplan and 2015 videos plus Pathoma. Then did one time FA. After that, I started UW subject wise and revised FA with it. Always go with 3-4 NBME/UWSA in favor of your targeted score. I will talk about NBME/UWSA at the end.

1. NBME 11: 240
2. NBME 17: 244
3. NBME 15: 246
4. NBME 16: 255
5. NBME 18: 248
6. NBME 19: 240
7. UWSA 1: 258
8. UWSA 2: 258

1- Biochemistry: Kaplan is a blessing! And in my opinion, this is the weakest subject in FA. Cell and Molecular Biology is the hardest part of the exam with Genetics.
2- Genetics: Kaplan is right, and the last three chapters are absent from FA. FA is
right after reviewing Kaplan.
3- Immunology: This is number giving & entirely conceptual. Kaplan must then FA.
4- Microbiology: Quick read of Kaplan, and FA. MME can be done, No use of Sketchy.
5- Anatomy: a comprehensive substance and you’ll mostly be faced by questions not included in the books. I studied Kaplan and FA and still was bombarded by new questions. Fortunately, I had a strong background of anatomy in medical school, so this helped me in the end. FA focuses on the highest yield concepts, and UWorld questions are very vital and CT images included are an essential resource before going into the exam. I recommend Snell review and Shelf notes also.
6- Behavioral Sciences: Conard 100, Khan ethics, Kaplan, HY and then FA. BS is the differentiating subject for 240 vs. 250-260. UWorld questions are essential, and some of the concepts asked in UWorld were found in the real exam as such. Study Social Sciences from Kaplan. Do UW 1,2,3 for ethics
7- Physiology: BRS/Kaplan any way you like. FA lacks so add on it.
8- Pharmacology: General from Kaplan and then FA with videos of Kaplan.
9- Pathology: Pathoma is more than
Excellent with videos. FA is excellent but is lacking some diseases especially in the section of Hematology and Oncology. Web Path is an excellent source of images, and you have to be very familiar with blood smears before going into the exam.
10. Stats: UW 1,2,3, Review Plus FA.

I collected all image, x-ray, CT, MRI, and eggs from UW 1,2 and pathoma from the internet and revised them.
I read all NBME from 1-13 and collected pictures, ethics, genetics, graph and stat question to review. They make up total 150 questions. No use of doing full earlier NBME because they will mask your score in later NBME. The concept is that pictures and question from old NBME repeat in the newer one.

NBME should be in pattern of
11 then 17 they both are easiest and give you an idea of your prep, mostly -10 from the exam. Do online as much as possible.

Then 15 and 19. They do not predict. Just get above 240-250.
After that do UWSA1. Overpredicts by 10-15

In the last month, do NBME 16,18 and UWSA2. They are predicting, and mostly their mean is the exam score. Do not waste these nbme if you plan to delay.

Pick a date as soon as any nbme touch your target score.
You will feel bad after the exam but believe in God that score will be near 16 and 18.

What I could have done to improve score:
1. Study more Gross Anatomy, molecular and cell biology.
2. Read Explanations of UW 1 more time, Do UW 2/3 for ethics and psych.
3. Study both BRS and Kaplan physio.
4. I will do Kaplan or RX qbanks very quickly to go through different questions.

Step 2 CS: 1 month, did in Chicago, FA, and center-specific notes. Pay attention to counseling, and communication skills. I repeated cases 1 time. I normally do 6-8 cases must. Study Partner is a must.

Step 2 CK: 4.5 Month, did Kaplan, then MTB, one-time UW, one-time revise UW notes, one-time quick FA step 1, then all cms, nbme six then 7 and at last nbme 4 and UWSA 2.

Good luck for the exam, do not delay exam thinking it can not be done in a timely manner.
Recommended time:
Step 1: 8-10 Months
then
Step 2: 4-5 Months
then
Cs: 1 Month
then
Step 3: 2-3 Months

EDIT: The only intention to share this experience is:
1. It can be done both ways, 2 before 1 or vice versa
2. It can be done in good time.
3. You can score well with limited sources and guidance
4. Always do UW and NBME online if possible, you do not know how much offline hurt you.