Call for Step 1 Advice

[BoneFlute]

I have used the search feature and read some excellent past threads on advice/study strategies for Step 1. I would also like to read some more recent opinions on what worked well for those who have taken Step 1 in the last year. Specifically, how long did you study, 4, 5, 6 or more weeks? How much use of review book reading compared to practice questions? Which review books did you use? Q-bank or BSS, or both? Any books or resources that were a waste of your time or carried incorrect info that we should avoid? My tentative plan is to go 4 weeks hardcore using:
Path: BRS, Robbins Review Question Book
Phys: BRS
Pharm: undecided, maybe Lippencott's Illustrated, maybe Pharm cards
Micro: Ridiculously Simple
Embryo: High Yield
Biochem: First-Aid, maybe high yield
Human Behavior: BRS
Overall: First-Aid
Questions: the ones in all the review books I named, plus Q-bank

Did anyone use the new USMLEasy resource last year? What did you think? Looking forward to reading everyone's advice. Thanks in advance and good luck to those in the match this year.

[asl17]

All of those are good resources, and it sounds like a good strategy. There are some suggested study guides on the internet that work pretty well. You'll be kicking yourself if you study longer than 4 weeks for Step I -- it's miserable if you study hard.

Though, the best advice I can give is to ask people at your own school what has worked well for them. Each school has a different teaching style, with some teaching directly to the USMLE's, while others have their own system. Studying is so individual, and is so dependent upon your school's teaching style that a forum like this is not always the best place to find out information, (except with regards to specific resources).

[yellowhopper]

i didn't like the USMLEeasy, go with the basics, Qbank is great, i would suggest using something more than rid simple for micro, like lange's review book but just skim the important stuff

like asl17 said, studying is a personal thing, i was not as hardcore but started earlier just to give the info time to sink in

good luck

[perpetualpriapism]

I took step 1 last year, so I figured I might offer my 2 cents. I think 4 hardcore weeks of studying is right -- provided you worked hard in medical school and have learned all the stuff the first time around. Your strategy looks pretty sound -- but I would suggest some minor revisions. Contrary to popular belief my test was not totally dominated by Path. I did have some path specimens and pathophys questions but it was no more than 20% of my exam. So know your path but dont get fooled into thinking this is an all path exam.
The pharm is largely knowing how classes of drugs work and knowing whih drugs fit into each class. I think first aid did a nice job with pharm. I added my own notes to first aid and studied this section about 5-6 times before the exam.
The test like all of medicine is moving into a molecular era. So I would HIGHLY ADVISE you to buy a seperate cell/molecular/genetics book. My test had a lot of signal transduction, cell bio, and genetics questions. DO not overlook this aspect.
Also buy and read BRS behavioral science. This book seems like a lot of work but you will nail the "soft" quetions -- and they all count the same.
BRS Phys is great. BRS path is nice but I used it in conjunction with Robbins text -- for pictures and I re-read Robbins for the major topics..DM, HTN and that kind of stuff.
I also really liked a book called "Step Up to the Boards" this is written by the high yield folks. It is organ system based and makes a nice systomatic approach to all the organ systems. It has lots of nice tables that compare similiar diseases and points out the differeces. It is a GREAT review if you have learned the stuff from a more comprehensive text. There is also a case companion book called Step up to the bedside that I used and really liked.
As for First Aid -- DO NOT BE FOOLED. This is a nice review but it has plenty of weaknesses. most specifically molecular biology and genetics. It is superb for pharm and for reviewing the 3-4 days before the exam. But do not be tricked into thinking if you memorize all this book you will smoke step 1.
Q Bank is awesome. I found Qbank to be pretty accurate except for the pharm -- Q bank is harder than the actual pharm questions.

The key to doing well on step 1 is preparing well and then going in cool as can be and performing well. I know a ton of smart people that "freaked out" and walked out with 218's because they lost their composure.

So stress control and mental hygeine are also key parts to rocking step 1. You have to know the info but you also must think on your feet and work at a pretty fast pace. So there is a lot more to scoring than just knowing the facts.

I hope my mindless ramblings may help you.

Step 1 question: What is a rare but important side effect of trazadone, and why is trazadone not commonly prescribed in penal facilities?
Hint: see my name,

[BoneFlute]

Thank you all for the advice, I appreciate it. You make a good point about how various schools differ in the format of the didactic years. I'll take your advice and ask the 3rd years what worked for them.

Perpetual Priapism (btw, GREAT name), could you recommend a good book for the cell bio/molecular/genetics area?

What is recommended to purchase from Q-bank, the normal q-bank, the vignettes, or both? Has anyone bought the $500 Step 1 package, and if so, was it worth it?

Thanks again and I hope to read a few more opinions.

[perpetualpriapism]

I bought the kaplan Q bank and the 2 book phone book looking review books. I used the Q-bank questions. I dont think the vignette questions are imperative. Step 1 does have some vignettes but I think the shelf exams and step 2 and 3 are dominated by vignettes. I had plently of stand alone type questions on step 1.

I used Volume 1 of the Kaplan books to review my first year of med school stuff and I never even opened the second volume. BRS molecular cell biology would be a worthwile read. I also have a cell/molecular degree so I did not spend a lot of time on this topic. But I think there are a ton of these type of quations on the test.

only you know your strengths and weaknesses., so you need to triage your study time to spend more time on your weaknesses and spend less time reviewing the stuff you know well.

But the bottome line is that you must show up with your game face on and get ready for battle.

Best of luck.

[asl17]

Also, while it is probably too late for the vast majority on this site, if there is anyone earlier in the game that is out there, I have some additional advice. Some friends of mine tried it and swear by it.

Buy First Aid in first or early 2nd year. Take lots of notes in the margins of first aid while you're studying for all your regular exams. Then, when it's time to study for the big one, you'll basically have all of your own notes in addition to first aid, all in one easy-to-find spot.

Again, didn't try it, but now wish I did.

[orthowannabe69]

Sure, you could study for four weeks... or, you could take it right after your last shelf -- when all the really important path/micro/pharm facts are fresh in your brain -- and then enjoy a nice, long vacation and re-energize and get ready to kick a$$ on the wards. I took step 1 around the end of May and spent the next 5 weeks bumming around latin america. I really don't think my score suffered by taking the step early, and the time off was well worth it.

Anyway, that's my BS on the issue, and many will probably disagree. Do what you think is best, but don't give up your sanity.

PS - I agree with the study aids mentioned in the original post, and think they are pretty solid for the self exams as well.

[perpetualpriapism]

ok, so lets think hypothetically you don't take any time of your vacation to study for step 1 and then you get a 210. You will spend the rest of your life thinking, why was I stupid and I could have been an orthopod had I only spent some more time studying.

My motto is leave nothing to chance and try to stack the deck in your favor by adequate prep. I agree I did some studying that was beyond what was expected of me for step 1. However, I attained a score I am very proud of and feel represents my full potential.

My point is that what works for some doesnt work for all.
However with such huge stakes riding on one test -- is 4 weeks of preparation worth a lifetime of wishing you could do ortho had you only spent some more time studying..

just my toughts.

[peebs]

Hey Boneflute
Let me try to address some of your questions. First, I agree with perpetualpriapism, I wouldn't leave anything to chance and suffer the risk of kicking yourself later if you don't do well on Step 1 and blame it on taking a vacation. I also studied for 4 weeks and thought that it was an appropriate amount of time. I studied roughly 8 hrs/day until the last week when I started to freak out and put in close to 12 hrs/day. But in the end i was very happy with my Step 1 so I think it paid off. I used both qbank and USMLEasy.com. I would first try to get through all of the qbank and then if you have time hit up the USMLEasy. I would rec. Highyield for pharm. That plus firstaid is excellent and ample. I read High yield for embryo as well, but thought that FA was more than enough. I highly rec. HY biochem too, FA is not eough. For cell/histo I woulds read the first six chapters in the BRS cell/histo book. Also, I think it is a good idea to read BRS Behav. sci. instead of High yield Behav. Sci. My worst section was behavioral. All your other sources sound good. I truly believe that if you put the time in, all your hardwork will pay off. Good luck and feel free to PM me with any specific questions.

[IronDoc]

The only books I used for Step 1 was First Aid, the Kaplan Lecture Books (didn't go to lecture, bought them off a student the year above me), pharm cards (pharm sucks at my school), and then tons of questions in Q-bank. I didn't use any extra books, especially none for molecular crap (I hate that stuff). No BRS books or anything like that.

I studied probably 5 weeks, about 8 hours per day. I always ended with doing 2 hours of Q-bank questions every night. I would recommend doing all subjects randomally not just what you read that day. This way you are always reviewing everything.

I thought First Aid was invaluable. After reading a section in Kaplan, I would read the corresponding section in First Aid. I actually read though first aid 3 times: once at the begining in early may, after each section I read in kaplan, and then in the last week before the test. I feel that First Aid and Q-bank were both awesome.

So I only used four sources and was completely happy with my score. I think using all those supplemental sources is not needed assuming you learned the material well your first two years of med school and just need a review.

[perpetualpriapism]

I think IronDoc makes some great points. I am fairly certain that most of the specialized studying I did --most likely did not affect my score that much.
If you learned it well the first time, then a nice review is all you need. But be sure not to overlook your weaknesses and work in those areas with more detailed materials.

Overall, the best thing you can do is walk into the exam with a clear mind and a good nights rest.

[OrthoGonads]

the key to step I, II, and III is....
have sex, lots of sex...safe sex mind you, but lots of it

[ors]

I agree that one should study as much as you can to boost your score, but be realistic. I was given an old copy of first aid half way through my first year and then I bought the latest edition during my second year. This way I was forced to transcribe my old notes into the new edition. I then reviewed this twice, read micro simple and a physiology book. I did all of Q-bank and ended up studying about 3-4 hours/day for 2 1/2 weeks. This way I had a nice vacation prior to third year. As for step II (8 days studying @ 3-4 hours/day), I used crush and a few sections in first aid that I previously used studying for my shelf exams. I also did 80% of Q-bank. Using this system I received scores of 234 and 240 for step I and II, respectively. I know some may frown upon these, but I was very happy (and added to my vacation time).

[bonehead59]

I am throwing in my advice because I really did not like First Aid for step one. I used only Kaplan review books and took the course (it was offered at my institution - there is no way I would have traveled to have done so). I also used the Qbank as a semi-religious experience. I felt that this was more than adequete. I think that the Qbank is the most important part as the questions, I felt were more difficult than the real deal. Also, they get you in the frame of mind of taking this exam. I did not have shelf exams at my institution, so I can't speak of how these prepare one for the exam. I felt I did great on step one with this method. Step II is much easier. I only used first aid, breazed through crush and did the qbank, and I felt like I blew it out of the water. How much step II realy matters in the grand scale, on the other hand, is up for debate. In any case. I think that the most important thing is not getting too psyched out by the damn thing. I really is a mental endurance test as there is no way that you have had any experience sitting and thinking for seven to eight hours straight. The best advice is to not get psyched out by the thing and just do it. I have some friends who are still studying for the thing (they obviously aren't going to be going into ortho), and the sole reason in my eyes is that they are just completely psyched out by the thing. So, positive attitude is key. And, not everyone is a feaking wonderkid. Take it seriously and prepare accordingly. Vacations are minor in the grand scheme of things. The goal is your career. Good luck!!