Call for Step 1 Advice

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.

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).

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

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,

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.

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.