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USMLE step 1- 260


Hey guys, this is my experience:
•Graduated in May 2017, from An­Najah National University\Palestine.
•Target score: 250+
•Stages of my preparation:
1- First First Aid read + Dr. Turco Biochemistry Videos (Biochemistry was my weakest area)~ took about 2 months, during this time I traveled once, and after that I did the step 2 CS exam and Hands-on experience in the US ..
2- BACK to step 1, I purchased UW by the end of March 2019, started with the first run UW along with FA together ~ took about 5 months
1st run UW score: 65+%
3- FA thorough read and memorization ~ took me about 3 weeks.
4- Second run UW along with FA ~ one month
2nd run UW score: 85+%
During that time I started doing some of the NBMEs, the thing I did wrong is that some were offline, my scores were in the range of 230 - 245.
5- Then on 22 Dec 2019, I did an online NBME, it was NBME 23, scored around 235, the score wasn’t meeting my goals, I was devastated at that point, but actually it was the best thing because It helped me addressing my weak points, so I worked on them for a few days and that made a huge difference!
6- I scheduled my exam on 15 Jan 2020, and I decided to do my best and try to be ready by that time.
7- About two weeks before the scheduled date I started reviewing about 2-3 systems/ day, used to wake up early in the morning, start studying for about 15 hours/ day with few short breaks inbetween.
I wanted to let my assessments decide for me whether to take the test or postpone it, so I did 3 online assessments:
NBME 21: 250 (7 Jan 2020)
I had a weak area and it was biostatistics, so that day I revised all the biostatistics from FA and UW.
UWSA1: 260 (8 Jan 2020)
UWSA2: 260 (9 Jan 2020)
So I decided to take it ..
8- I decided to keep calm and stress-free, tried to eat and sleep well, and 2 days before the exam I traveled to Jordan (the center of my exam), the day before the exam I revised some of the biochemistry charts, some random CT scan images I googled, I started feeling anxious so I went for a walk at about 5:00 P.m., also I watched the tutorial before going to sleep, then went to sleep at 8:00 p.m., I woke up early, had my breakfast, took my coffee and snacks and went to the center..
•Since doing the second run of UW, I trained myself to do 2 blocks in a row each time!
•I skipped the tutorial except for the headphone check, also followed the order of 2 blocks/ break/ 2 blocks/ break/ 1 block/ break/ 1 block/ break/ 1 block during the exam.
•The results were 3 weeks after the real exam date, scored 260.
•Preparation days were not easy at all, lots of stress but we have to stay positive and never give up!
•I used to write down ‏everything I did during the day before I go to sleep to encourage myself.
Good luck everyone!

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