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USMLE Step 1 Preparation Scheme

I am going to explain how one can start for step 1 de novo. I will try to make it as simple as possible:

USMLE step 1 needs 4 reads in total.

Materials required
include: 
Kaplan series
UWorld
First Aid
100 cases by Conrad fischer ( blue book )
Online NBME 


READS:=4


DURATION EXPECTED:

 3 months (1st read)+2 months and 10 days (2nd read) +2 months and 10days (3rd read) +6 days whole 1st AID and NBME, then 10 days ( 4th read) =Total 8 months

Sequence of subjects in each Read: 
Physiology, then pharmacology; biochemistry; microbiology; immunology; pathology; anatomy; behavioral sciences

First Read:

 3 months

Physio-10days
pharma-1week
biochem/genetics- 8 days
immunology-4 days
microbiology-8 days
pathology-3 weeks
anatomy -10 days
behavioral sciences 4 days

In this plan , when you finish one subject , don't rush to next; rather re-read same in 1-2 days . For example, you are supposed to finish physio in 8 days and then revise in next 2 days whole physio .Same plan for other subjects

SECOND READ:

 2 MONTHS and 10days :
In 2nd read , there will be add on of 1st aid. You should read Kaplan but then same subject from 1st AID BEFORE moving to next subject)

Physio- 8 days ( 6days of physio from Kaplan and 2 days of physio from 1st AID)
PHARMA-8 days ( same 6+2)
biochem/genetics: 8 days (6+2)
immunology 3 days (2 +1)
microbiology 8 days ( 6+2)
pathology 26 days ( 2 weeks of Kaplan 1 week of golgon 5 days of 1st AID)
anatomy 7 days (6+1)
behavioral sciences 3 days (2+1 )

Second read =Total 70 days

THIRD READ: -

2 MONTHS AND 10 DAYS
This time there will be add on of U world including revision of Kaplan and 1st Aid

physio- 8 days (5 Kaplan + 1 1st aid +2 u world)
pharma-8 days (5+1+2)
biochem/ genetics- 7 days (4+1+2)
immunology -3 days (1+1+1)
microbiology -8 days ( 5 +1+2)
pathology-26 days (10days +4 days of golgon +12 days of u world))
anatomy- 7 days (4 + 1+2)
behavioral sciences 3 days (1+1+1) also read 100 cases by Conrad fischer in this read

3rd read =total 2 months 10days

After 3 reads , you should read 1 st aid in continuity for 4 days and take NBME on 5th and 6th days. If YOU get >250in NBME , schedule a date in next 15 days .

4th read: 

10 days-just give1 day to one subject from Kaplan
physio-1day
pharma-1 day
biochem/genetics- 1 day
immunology/microbiology-2 days
pathology-3 days
anatomy-1 day
BS -1 day

after this 3-4 days of 1ST aid and then take exam .

It is an estimate.; may vary depending on how much stamina and memory one has but this is how it works for most of students


By Dr. Waqas Nawaz (Score: 242)

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