Skip to main content

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)

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

MRCS PART A – EXPERIENCE

DURATION OF STUDY – 3.5-4 months (with work )  Pattern of study  Paper 1 ( Basic sciences )  Anatomy – Emrcs with NASA khan notes ( best part about these notes are he copied all the colourful pics from Snell’s anatomy along with emrcs theory ) . Make small pics for imagination of anatomical relationship .... A big chunk of questions are from anatomy , this needs to be done in a crystal clearway .. Physiology – raftry with emrcs  Pathology – raftry few topics and emrcs Pharma and micro – emrcs  I read raftry for physio complete twice , patho and micro once only  Biostatistics – emrcs  For basic sciences reading emrcs with its theory is more than enough with few references from text books to make the concepts clear  Fawzia sheets for paper one is very very very important , somehow in every session of this examination RCS is putting almost 50-60% paper from these sheets ... Don’t leave them .... Read them at least three times .... Pape...

USMLE step 1 Thaer Shehadeh- 251

Hello everyone, I think this is probably my first post on this forum. You guys have helped me alot throughout my study period and i would like to share my experience with you. Studying for this exam is definitely a challenge and needs well drawn-out plans and good time management. Always believe in yourself and never listen to any negative thoughts from others. Your ultimate goal is to be the best phyisician that you can be, and if you believe in that, you would definitely achieve that goal. I'm currently a 6th year medical student from Jordan. I started studying in august 2018 and took the exam in October 8, 2019. (Total study time = around 1 year) There were alot of gaps at first, but it became more consistent at the beginning of 2019 My first read was from cover to cover in the same order as the first aid book. Resources: First aid + Uworld are the most important Biochem: kaplan videos Pathology: pathoma Microbiology and pharmacology: sketchy (it...

USMLE STEP 1: 250

Khurram Irshad Chattha (N61)) Nishtarian Graduate from N61, done with house job in May 2018. It was during my house job that I decided to go for USMLE, decided too late .I was an Average student with average basics, merit number was 131 in final passing out list for house job .I just want to motivate you people that it’s never too late and its never something like I can’t do as I’m just an average student I must quote Munis Raza bhai “” Agr munis kr sktaa hai tu koi b kr sktaa hai “” I would repeat same “” Agr Chattha kr skta houn tu koi b kr skta hai “” It’s all about your attitude and determination PREP TIME: Dedicated 6 month (as I Did kaplan (with lot of skips) + First Aid 1st read during house job) Actual Score 250 Alhamdulilah NMBE score in time line NBME 13: 242 3.5 month before exam NBME 15: 250 2.5 month before exam NBME 17: 255 2 month before exam NBME 16: 257 1.5 month before exam NBME 19: 250 1 month before exam NBME 18: 252 15 days before exam USWA 1 and 2: 254...