12-09-2010, 05:44 AM
This was a tough exam. Only the smart and hard working people will pass it. So, if you are reading this, your not hard working, your a slouch.
What you need to know.
This new exam is hard. Not just hard, freaking hard. You have little hope of passing. Unless you take my advice.
top 10 things to do and not do for your step 1 prep.
1st- Books, this is what you need
----------------------------------------
Physiology – Board Review Series (5th edition) – All you will need for physiology
Genetics- Board Review Series (1st edition)-
First Aid 2010 – Wrote notes in this as I went along with my studies
Dissecting the USMLE Steps 1, 2 and 3 –( the Pass Program book)
Neuroscience- USMLE Road Map - went through this book with a fine tooth comb. Used these pictures (see attached photos as my main study and it didn’t let me down). Did the questions after each chapter.
Kaplan Anatomy Book- Special mention to this book, I used it as my main source for Upper and Lower Limbs. That’s all USMLE Step 1 seems to test on besides the Neuro stuff.
PASS Videos
Kaplan Videos
Kaplan Medical Review Books (early on to get the stuff I was lacking from school)
First Aid Q & A for the USMLE Step 1 (book)
Review of Pathology Qbook (2nd Edition)
Biochemistry- Lippincotts 3rd edition
Made hard copy of Pharmacology Flashcards from the First Aid 2010 book
Made electronic flashcards of PASS Books and my Own
Qbanks- I got note pads and wrote down the explanations on questions I got wrong
- Kaplan
- USMLEworld
- USMLErx
- NBMEs, bought the extended version and studied what I got wrong 1 month out
- Took NBME form 6- 7 days before exam and was 4 points out from my score.
2nd- smarts, if you don't have any then don't take this exam
3rd- praying- if your praying, then your weak minded and you seriously can't think for yourself. If you pray you might as well quit studying, because this exam only tests your ability to think and working things out on your own.
4th- giving up- if you've got doubt after reading my post so far, you're not a good as you thought you were. only the strong don't give up. You should have had the 'tude to say "eat it", i'll beat your score.
5th- if you are going to look things up during the test then you are not ready.
6th- thank me when you pass
7th- ask me what you did wrong if you didn't pass and I'll be brutally honest with you. I want the masses to pass. Sometimes when people are straight up, no bull, talking to you about whats wrong, then you will know. I don't believe in blowing smoke up peoples butts to make them feel better. If you want to pass, I'll help, but be prepared to hear what you don't want to hear
8th- Drop the study partner. All they do is waste your time. You can't take a study partner into the exam with you. All you and your study partner do is talk about stuff that isn't step 1 related. Only go to people for quick 5 minute questions and this should be done only 1 or 2 times a week.
9th- Questions are your best friend. Use them and learn from them. Do 10 000 questions minimum.
10th- thank me later.
What you need to know.
This new exam is hard. Not just hard, freaking hard. You have little hope of passing. Unless you take my advice.
top 10 things to do and not do for your step 1 prep.
1st- Books, this is what you need
----------------------------------------
Physiology – Board Review Series (5th edition) – All you will need for physiology
Genetics- Board Review Series (1st edition)-
First Aid 2010 – Wrote notes in this as I went along with my studies
Dissecting the USMLE Steps 1, 2 and 3 –( the Pass Program book)
Neuroscience- USMLE Road Map - went through this book with a fine tooth comb. Used these pictures (see attached photos as my main study and it didn’t let me down). Did the questions after each chapter.
Kaplan Anatomy Book- Special mention to this book, I used it as my main source for Upper and Lower Limbs. That’s all USMLE Step 1 seems to test on besides the Neuro stuff.
PASS Videos
Kaplan Videos
Kaplan Medical Review Books (early on to get the stuff I was lacking from school)
First Aid Q & A for the USMLE Step 1 (book)
Review of Pathology Qbook (2nd Edition)
Biochemistry- Lippincotts 3rd edition
Made hard copy of Pharmacology Flashcards from the First Aid 2010 book
Made electronic flashcards of PASS Books and my Own
Qbanks- I got note pads and wrote down the explanations on questions I got wrong
- Kaplan
- USMLEworld
- USMLErx
- NBMEs, bought the extended version and studied what I got wrong 1 month out
- Took NBME form 6- 7 days before exam and was 4 points out from my score.
2nd- smarts, if you don't have any then don't take this exam
3rd- praying- if your praying, then your weak minded and you seriously can't think for yourself. If you pray you might as well quit studying, because this exam only tests your ability to think and working things out on your own.
4th- giving up- if you've got doubt after reading my post so far, you're not a good as you thought you were. only the strong don't give up. You should have had the 'tude to say "eat it", i'll beat your score.
5th- if you are going to look things up during the test then you are not ready.
6th- thank me when you pass
7th- ask me what you did wrong if you didn't pass and I'll be brutally honest with you. I want the masses to pass. Sometimes when people are straight up, no bull, talking to you about whats wrong, then you will know. I don't believe in blowing smoke up peoples butts to make them feel better. If you want to pass, I'll help, but be prepared to hear what you don't want to hear
8th- Drop the study partner. All they do is waste your time. You can't take a study partner into the exam with you. All you and your study partner do is talk about stuff that isn't step 1 related. Only go to people for quick 5 minute questions and this should be done only 1 or 2 times a week.
9th- Questions are your best friend. Use them and learn from them. Do 10 000 questions minimum.
10th- thank me later.
