Setting A Date
For a ton of reasons (computer died, personal issues, lack of interest), this site’s been a bit dead. But like the Phoenix, I’m rising from my ashes and posting again.
So. About 4 weeks left of preclinical work, then a month of psych and behavioral medicine, then it’s time to study for the Boards, Step 1. I’m scared to death. My only real saving grace is the fact that it’s multiple choice, so even though I might not remember the exact name of every drug and disease, I’ll recognize it when I see it on the page. Other than that, I’m totally screwed.
Wednesday, June 1st is the day. They say you can’t really do more than 5 weeks of intense studying without totally losing it, so 5 weeks it is. Then it’s off to a family vacation some place nice and relaxing, then I start clinics on June 27. I can’t wait.
By the way, if you have any suggestions or study tips, I’m all ears.
Study tips? Questions, questions, qustions! I started out briefly doing some reading, but I quickly got to where I would just do questions all day. There really is a finite amount of theings the board tests you on, and you do enough practice questions, you’ll see most of the topics. When you come to something you don’t know or understand, then go back and read about it. I calculated that I did about 10,000 questions before the boards, and I did well. I suggest Kaplans Q-bank to start (about 2,000 ?’s) and if you have a Kaplan center near you they also offer practice tests. Lippencott has an on-line “board simulator series” bank of 5,000+ ?’s. They’re not as good as Kaplan but sill helpful.
The test itself is mentally exhausting. 350 ?’s is a lot. The week before I did like 500-700 a day, so when I got to the test it was nothing. Similar to training for a marathon. Good luck
since your test is multiple choice and you will admittedly be guessing, can I be your transcriptionist when you are done? I’m still new so you won’t know if I goof, right? *G*
make sure you do tonnes of of MCQs; lots of people found online Kaplan Qbank a great help because they’re very tough and have an excellent assessment.
Unless you’re willing to sit and learn 2500 pages, don’t bother with the kaplan books. Your framwork should be based on First Aid, you learn that book cover to cover (it’s an easy book), and that’s no less than 85%, then do questions, find your week points, and cover them through Board review series.
Make sure you time yourself well so by time it gets close to ur exam, your at your peak; too little time and your screwed, too much time and and go down from your peak (i gave my self 2 months of lax study and 2 1/2 of intense study, but finished everything 1 month early, not good.)
Physiology, micro, pharm, and biochem are the corner-stone of step1, ( i know micro and pharm is pure monkey-learning, but it has to be done!)
and a bit of prayer and support of family and friends does the job too :)
good luck!
I would also suggest First Aid! Do lotsa questions but I would save the sample USMLE questions from NBME until 2-3 days before the test. I think those questions are probably the most realistic sample but you only have a handful, so don’t waste them at the beginning of studying.
Hello I just wanted to say I think your funny. I don’t really stay online all that long, just long enough to look up stuff for class or whatnot. But I really had fun with this site. Your also really smart, thats kinda hard to pull off when your as funny as you are. Anyhow thanks for making my day a lil better. I would love to chat with you, as it is all ways nice to talk to someone who can make you smile. Have a great day, and good luck with all your up coming tests.
Lici