USMLE STEP 1 score: 257

Hello people of step 1. Here is my step 1 experience.

Prep time: 9 months. (With gaps taken in between due to unforeseen circumstances)

NBMEs/UWSAs:
1 (offline): 207
12 (offline): 244
11 (offline): 234
13 (online): 215
15 (online): 249
16 (online): 251
17 (online): 249
18 (online): 256
UWSA 1: 251
UWSA 2: 251

Step 1 score: 257

Phase 1:
I started with Kaplan books and videos, coupled it with First Aid. Did those along with U world offline (books) subject wise. Did Kaplan only once and I would recommend doing it one time only. Repeat Kaplan only if you think you lack concepts severely in a topic/subject.

For ethics I did the 100 cases of ethics by Conrad.

I studied pathoma and goljan both for pathology but I would recommend sticking to pathoma and only do the acid-base portion of goljan if you really want to.

I also did UW biostats review. It is a good resource but do it carefully and make notes, something that I didn't do and regretted it afterwards.

Phase 2:
I started with FA again and this time did it with DIT. It took me about 15 days and yes it is helpful if you can't solely read FA and you need some sort of a studying aid.

I took NBME 13 online and scored 215. I sort of panicked and bought the USMLE Rx qbank online (1 month subscription) and did the hardest questions only. They were about 23 blocks. Again this is something I think was not necessary and I don't think it would have harmed me even if I hadn't done them.

I finally bought a 3 month UW subscription and started with it. UW is an excellent learning tool when done along with FIRST AID. I had done it offline before but I did it in the timed and random mode and would recommend that for everyone. Make the best use of it and do it according to your own pace but don't waste time. I did 2 blocks a day and on a lazy day used to do 1 block. I planned to do the whole of UW a second time but could only do my incorrect and a few marked questions. My UW average was about 78%. At 50 percent of UW I took UWSA form 1. Continued with it and then when I ended UW I took UWSA form 2 and NBME 16 on the same day. It was quite a hassle but I was happy with my results. I had also taken NBME 15 while doing UW.

Final phase:
Started reading my FA again. Page by page, word by word. I did make a note of which topics I had a difficulty in and would take extra care with it. Finished it in about 10-15 days. By that time my exam was quite near. I took NBME 18 five days before my exam and NBME 17 three days before the exam. This was quite close, so I would recommend you take your last NMBE at least a week before your actual exam so that you can work on your weak areas.

Advice:
-Have a study partner.
-FA+UW= Best combination.
-Have clear concepts!
-Use the NBMEs wisely and start with them early in your prep.
-Take days off in the early days of your prep.
-Whatever plan you have, stick to it, delays are inevitable. But if it doesn't work out, reassess.
-I believe test taking skills are as important as knowledge. What I found helpful was taking a break after each block during the paper and coming in with a fresh mind and not thinking about the previous blocks. It's the fatigue that makes the final blocks difficult so use your break time well. Eat, drink, walk, whatever helps you.

Thoughts:
Reading this one you might think everything was planned out. The reality is quite different. I had to stop and reassess my game plan a few times. There were good days and then there were the bad ones. There were unavoidable breaks in between which would throw me off track. What I want to say here is that have faith in yourself and talk to people who constantly encourage you. Discuss concepts with friends. Go out and do something else if you feel overwhelmed but then come back even stronger and keep telling yourself that you can do this. Asses yourself with NBMEs. Do not waste time like I did. It is definitely doable.

My dear fellows, I wish you the best.

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