Preparing for the dreaded…

First and Foremost:

RELAX!You have been studying for this test for the

past two years! It's time to shine.

It's just another hurdle to becoming a doctor

Overview

Resources

Study Schedule

Sanity

Resources

Comprehensive

First Aid for Step I This book is absolutely a necessity Some prefer to have it unbound and put into a

three ring binder for more note taking space Excellent for review and focusing on core topics Errors and corrections in 2012 edition can be

found at:

http://firstaidteam.com/wp-content/uploads/FA-Step-1-2012-errata-120222.pdf

SubjectsAnatomy: High Yield Anatomy, RoadmapsEmbryo: High Yield Embryo with First AidHistology: High Yield Histology if you mustNeuroscience: High Yield Neuroscience, Atlas of the

Human Brain and Spinal Cord (James D. Fix)Physiology: BRS PhysiologyBiochemistry: First Aid is enough, High Yield BiochemHuman Behavior: High Yield Human BehaviorPathology: Goljan Rapid Review w/ audio, BRS PathMicro: First Aid, Micro Made Simple, MicroCardsImmuno: First Aid more than enough, Lange textPharm: First Aid is excellent, Kaplan Pharm Cards

Question Banks

USMLE World If you buy only one, BUY THIS ONE Nearly perfect simulation of the real thing Difficult questions, but VERY good teaching points.

(READ the explanations!!!)Kaplan Q-Bank

Also a great question source General opinion: more low-yield questions Again, READ the explanations

Review Courses: To take or not to take…

Doctors in Training- very well laid out with great review sessions; good for those that otherwise will not make a schedule and stick to it/those that like to be taught

Cram Fighter- $10 app. that allows you to plug in everything you need to make a very good study schedule; for those that like to make their own schedule and know they will stick to it

Question Sources - Other

BRS Phys/Path questions and Comp ReviewGoljan Path Comprehensive ReviewRobbins Review Path QuestionsUtah WebPath Questions (good for anatomy)

Practice Exams

NBME Practice Exams 150 questions (3 sections) Give best predictive score & most similar questions Expensive Cannot review

USMLE World & Kaplan Practice Exams 150 questions Give score (which is widely believed to be elevated) Can be purchased with your World subscription Allow review of all questions with explanation

For the Minimalist

First Aid for Step IUSMLE World Question Bank

(Again, READ the explanations)Goljan Path Review with audio

Most Important Thing Possible

Practice QuestionsPRACTICE QUESTIONS

PRACTICE QUESTIONS

PRACTICE QUESTIONS!!!

Schedules

Study Schedules

Start doing Qbank questions now You have just over a month to study for the

exam (not including studying for mini-boards) Make a schedule and stick to it! But don't beat yourself up over if you mess up

a bit… The average time to study is 28 days....which

is perfect for many people

Important Dates

Last day of school: April 19, 2013

Mini-boards & OSCE’s: April 25 – May 10

Step 1 Sit-by Date: June 15, 2013

Different Study Schedules

Develop your own study schedule Some people study based on systems, some

study based on courses, some both, and some neither.

Schedule “catch up” days and extra time at the end to review material

Don't be afraid to adapt your schedule, but stick to the plan!

Daily Schedule- SAMPLE

8AM-9AM- Breakfast 9AM-1PM- Read 1PM-1:30- Lunch 1:30-6:00- Read some more 6-7 Dinner 7-8 Personal Time 8-12 Questions and review 12-8AM- Sleep

Staying Sane

Where to Study

Some study at their apartment Some study at their parents' house Some at the library Point is...you've figured out what works for

you, do it!

Balance

You need to relax Take personal time

every day Work out Catch up with friends Socialize Go to dinner Vent

Start a blog Yoga/ meditation Don't make any

drastic life changes Don't move Relax This was the best part

of 2nd year

Words of Wisdom EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT and to stick to what style

has worked for you the past two years (ie- learning from questions, etc).

28 days is enough time to crush it. I didn’t think it would be enough but was sick of studying by the last week

Leave days for review the final week before your test. Review your WEAK subjects, don’t try to re-read all of First Aid again

Do NOT push back your date unless a catastrophe occurs

Watch a movie, hang out, have a beer, but DO NOT study the day before your test

Don't worry. You will do great and it will all be over before you know it. Then it's time for

VACATION!!!!!!

Special thanks to MUSOM faculty and staff and Tim Nywening, Katherine Schnell, and Parin Chheda from the University of Florida