Call for Step 1 Advice

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.