How To Create An Effective USMLE Step 1 Study Schedule - Crush Your Exam! (2023)

FAQs

How do I make a dedicated Step 1 study schedule? ›

On average, USMLE Step 1 study schedule consists of at least 500-600 hours of study, which works out to 10 hours daily over 6-8 weeks. Individual students may need more, or less.

With a 4-week USMLE Step 1 study schedule, you will have enough time to complete a substantial study block, but as the saying goes, preparation is 90% of the outcome. Here's how you can develop a 4-week Step 1 schedule to ace your exam.

Yes, it's generally recommended for users to complete two full passes of the UWorld Step 1 QBank. However, UWorld also offers a 30-day subscription if you have discovered this service with your exam in 30 days or less. Utilizing any form of UWorld can be beneficial to your overall Step 1 score.

This exam is just a hurdle to overcome. Dedicated recommended study length: 6-8 weeks: With over 3500Qs you need seven weeks with at least 80 questions per day for one single pass of UWorld. I recommend trying to do a few more per day so you can get through your incorrect questions a second time.

Studying for step 1 can a three-to-four months or four-to-six weeks. How rigorous your study plan is will determine how much time you spend preparing for the USMLE overall. Although, even with a rigorous study plan, you'll want to take breaks and quiz yourself on materials throughout.

The percentages of correctly answered items required to pass varies by Step and from form to form within each Step. However, examinees typically must answer approximately 60 percent of items correctly to achieve a passing score.

Students should still plan to block out at least four weeks of dedicated full-time studying for Step 1 to ensure that they are able to pass on their very first attempt.

Most students take Step 1 in the spring at the end of their second year, which concludes their preclinical studies. In the fall and winter of your second year, you'll hermit up and spend more time studying and less time socializing.

Is Step 1 the hardest exam ever? ›

Traditionally, Step 1 has been thought of as both the most difficult and most important USMLE Step exam. There are several reasons for this. Firstly, this exam is the first in the series, and students taking it will have had less experience with the types of questions that the USMLE asks.

58-60% is OK, a good sign is being consistently above the average scores. The Uworld package I bought came with 2 assessment exams.

Not to worry! Our research shows that learners with an average QBank score of 56% pass the NCLEX at a 92% rate.

The USMLE Step 1 exam tends to resemble NBME style questions more closely, but in my experience the UWSAs often better predict final exam scores than the NBMEs for many students. Recommendation: start with NBMEs and save the two UWSA for the final few weeks of studying.

In summary, Pathoma is a great tool for augmenting your USMLE Step 1 studying, but cannot, and should not, be used in isolation. Consider taking notes from Pathoma directly into your First Aid textbook to consolidate your reference guide.

If you're making/doing excellent Anki cards, you might top out at doing 80-120 questions/day. However, while you will find people who (productively) do more than 120 UWorld questions in a day, they are often not doing Anki.

Traditionally, students spend roughly three months studying in a dedicated fashion for Step 1. However, life and circumstances don't always give you the luxury of a dedicated 3-month period to study for the USMLE® Step 1 exam. Some medical schools might only allow for a single month of dedicated study time.

Shorter, intensive study times are more effective than drawn out studying. In fact, one of the most impactful study strategies is distributing studying over multiple sessions (Newport, 2007). Intensive study sessions can last 30 or 45-minute sessions and include active studying strategies.

Research shows that taking purposeful breaks (anywhere from 5–60 minutes) from studying to refresh your brain and body increases your energy, productivity, and ability to focus. Keep in mind: social media doesn't work well as a “purposeful break” (see the research).

What percentage of students fail Step 1? ›

Residency program directors fear that this will only make Step 2 scores more important, along with emphasizing medical school prestige. And medical students will still need to pass Step 1—something 10% of test-takers failed to do in 2020.

Here is how many people fail Step 1 every year. The passing rate of people who are re-taking Step 1 is lower. However, despite that, the majority of people who take Step 1 again will pass. For example, in 2020, of the 1985 re-takes of Step 1, 55% passed.

Prior to starting your dedicated study time, make sure to do some research and figure out if your goal range matches the expectations of your chosen specialty. Generally speaking, however, a USMLE® Step 1 score between 230 and 245 is considered a good and a score between 245 and 255 is considered very good.

On the three-digit score scale, the passing standard is 196. Future reviews of the Step 1 passing standard will not be reported in terms of a three-digit score.

Remember, there are 200 scored items on Step 1. But you have to answer 60% of them correctly to pass. That's 120/200. That leaves only 80 questions left to assign scores across the rest of the passing range.

Of the UWorld self assessments, #1 overestimates your score by about 10 points and may give a false sense of security to students. #2 is generally a good predictor of actual score performance.

The total number of items in the Step 1 examination is 280, and you will need to answer at least 60% correctly to pass the test.

Year one is the hardest year of medical school.

Many students will likely disagree, but the first year is widely recognized as being the most difficult. The majority of the first year of medical school is spent in classrooms and labs and requires an enormous amount of memorization.

How far in advance should I schedule Step 1? ›

Eligibility and Scheduling

Once you start down the path of preparing for Step 1, register for it at least six months in advance of your test date. This is because the test dates at the Prometric test centers open up six months in advance.

The current minimum passing score for Step 1 is 194. However, the USMLE is currently working to change Step 1 scoring to a pass/fail system. You will receive notice of whether you passed or failed the exam.

USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination) is said to be a very tough test. No wonder it is considered one of the top 20 toughest exams in world. This one among the top 20 toughest exams in world is sponsored by National Board of Medical Examiners and Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB).

USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination)

Collectively sponsored by the Federation of State Medical Board (FSMB) and National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME), this is one of those medical entrance exams which are considered amongst the toughest exams in the world.

After preclinical years, students take an average of 6-8 weeks of “dedicated” study time to prepare for Step 1. The amount of time you need will depend on your own weak points and your foundation of knowledge.

However, step 1 is more difficult in the toll it takes on you mentally and physically. You spend a ton of time studying and have essentially one shot to pass the exam and get the absolute best score you can get. You can't retake it if you don't like your score (unlike the MCAT) and failing is significant.

If you are getting above 50% on Uworld you will be fine, just keep reading rationales because that is the most important part.

The 48th is the cumulation of the scores for all the students who are using Uworld as their study material.

Is 40% on Uworld bad? ›

Scores of 32/40 or 80% on your first attempt at random blocks of UWorld is very strong performance. This would roughly correspond to Step 1 scores of 255+, assuming you sustain these scores through the entire question bank.

Learners with an average QBank score of 56% pass the NCLEX at a 92% rate. While your average UWorld QBank score gives you important information, studying each question's explanation is the most valuable way to spend your time.

The current USMLE minimum passing score for Step 1 is 194.

Quality of Practice Materials

And in our opinion, Kaplan provides more realistic practice material than UWorld. It's a close call, and we generally like the problems both companies offer, but Kaplan's are just a better fit for the real thing.

The frequently updated content ensures you learn and master the most relevant material that helps confront your individual USMLE Step 1 strengths and weaknesses. UWorld may be harder than Step 1, with some questions above the actual test's difficulty level.

Students have been known to score 270+ on USMLE Step 1 just by using UWorld and First Aid. There are also students, however, who have gone through the question bank 3 or more times, and can't seem to get a passing score on the exam. This underscores the fact that UWorld is effective only if used properly.

Currently, the available NBME CBSSA forms are Form 18, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 and are considered the best and most accurate way to assess one's predicted performance on the USMLE Step 1. However, as of March 24th*, 2021, the NBME will be retiring all of the old CBSSA NBME forms and replacing them with 6 new NBME forms.

After preclinical years, students take an average of 6-8 weeks of “dedicated” study time to prepare for Step 1. The amount of time you need will depend on your own weak points and your foundation of knowledge.

The USMLE Step 1 consists of 7 blocks, each lasting 60 minutes and consisting of up to 40 questions each. This 8-hour marathon is high stakes, but fear not. With the right plan and approach, you will be prepared to crush it.

Is 3 months enough to study for Step 1? ›

Traditionally, students spend roughly three months studying in a dedicated fashion for Step 1.

Group 1: Try to do at least two blocks of 40 questions. I would recommend a maximum of three blocks a day if you plan to review all the information that day. The blocks will take about three hours each to answers the questions and review the material.

Step 1 is a one-day exam. It is divided into seven 60-minute blocks and taken in one 8-hour testing session. Each block will usually not exceed 40 questions, and the entire exam will not exceed 280 questions.

Traditionally, Step 1 has been thought of as both the most difficult and most important USMLE Step exam. There are several reasons for this. Firstly, this exam is the first in the series, and students taking it will have had less experience with the types of questions that the USMLE asks.

The myHomework Student Planner app is a simple way to keep track of your learning progress. To begin, add your class schedule and any upcoming assignments. MyHomework Student Planner will then build a color-coded curriculum as well as a calendar to help you arrange your forthcoming courses, lessons, and tests.

DesignCap makes it easy to create a weekly or monthly study schedule online. It is a free online study schedule maker designed for beginners as well as professionals. It integrates all the tools you may need to make a custom study schedule.