How to Prepare for USMLE Step 1: Road to Success

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What is USMLE?

The United States Medical Licensing Examination, USMLE for short, is a three-step examination. Practicing medicine in the USA requires passing this examination. The National Board of Medical Examiners (NMBE) and the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) sponsor the USMLE examinations. Doctors with an MD degree are required to pass this exam to practice in the US.

Passing all three steps of the USMLE examination is required to obtain medical practice licensure.

What is USMLE Step 1?

USMLE Step 1 (colloquially called “Step 1”) is the first among three steps one will need to pass to get a medical practice license in the US. Step 1 is a one-day examination divided into seven blocks of 60 minutes each. The complete Step 1 examination is an 8-hour-long session.

There will be 40 test items in each block with no more than 280 questions in the examination. Medical students from the USA take this exam after the second year of medical school. It usually after completing the basic science curriculum.

The examination assesses the candidate’s understanding of basic sciences and capacity to apply important concepts to patient care. It ensures competency, mastery of concepts, and knowledge of scientific principles.

Step 1 exam used to be followed by Step 2 CK and Step 2 CS exams. Step 2 CS examination is currently discontinued.

Why is Step 1 so important?

USMLE Step 1 is crucial because of the following reasons.

Directors of the medical residency program consider the score of Step 1 as an essential criterion for selecting candidates for the residency program. The use of Step 1 scores to screen candidates has been subjected to plenty of criticism. But it does not reduce the importance of the Step 1 exam.
A student cannot retake the exam to obtain higher marks if he/she has already passed it once. Additionally, any failed attempts at Step 1 are permanently recorded. These are the reasons that make Step 1 a big deal.
Currently, the three-digit score obtained by a candidate on completing Step 1 is vital. It plays a role in the specialty and location the candidate can get for residency.

Now that we have seen why Step 1 is vital, let us see how a candidate can ace this exam.

How to prepare for USMLE Step 1?

1. Get familiar with the syllabus and testing process

The primary step you can take towards starting your USMLE Step 1 preparation is getting familiar with the USMLE Step 1 syllabus and testing procedure. The Step 1 examination covers disciplines such as,

Pathology
Physiology
Pharmacology
Biochemistry & Nutrition
Microbiology
Immunology
Gross Anatomy & Embryology
Histology & Cell Biology
Behavioral Sciences
Genetics

This list of disciplines may be subject to change by the licensing authority. Thus, it is best to stay up-to-date with the syllabus. The official USMLE website provides announcements regarding changes in test delivery software, test date of Step 1 exams, and access to updated practice materials. So, it is advisable to visit the USMLE website often.

Please visit the USMLE site and take a look at the sample test questions provided in it. It will help you gain a perspective of the testing procedure. The examination is composed of single-best-answer questions that require the candidate to choose between five different options. Some questions test the examinee’s knowledge, while others push the examinee’s ability to interpret and identify graphic and tabular material and specimens to solve problems.

2. Begin your preparation as soon as possible:

Beginning preparation for the Step 1 examination as soon as you start school is advisable. This step allows you to get a head start in the preparation. It also allows you to attend your regular lectures with a perspective towards preparing for the Step 1 examination.

Additionally, USMLE Step 1 preparation will take a considerable amount of time because of its syllabus. It is an eight-hour-long examination covering a vast amount of material. It will require as much time as you can put in to be ready for such an endeavor.

Setting aside an amount of time every day to prepare for the USMLE examination would help in mastering the material far ahead of the exam so that you can conduct a USMLE Step 1 review before your test. Running such a review will help you understand your strength and weakness.

3. High yield resources increase possibility of success

High yield information in the context of USMLE preparation is any information that is most likely to be on the exam. One of the best resources of high yield information is your teachers and mentors. Since they have already been through all these processes, they have the required knowledge to identify high yield information.

Besides that, there are high-yield books that can help you with this. First Aid for the USMLE Step 1 is one such book for USMLE Step 1. Learning high-yield information helps you do well in the examination and prepares you to serve your patients better with the obtained knowledge.

Please make a list of resources for high-yield information and make use of them in your preparation.

There are multiple online review programs geared towards succeeding in USMLE. Kaplan, USMLE works, Pass Program, and Beker are all examples of tested programs which students preparing for USMLE examinations traditionally use. These resources often offer practice questions and experts recommend taking USMLE within 3 to 4 months of taking your review course.

4. Find your learning style and optimize:

The VARK model of learning styles suggests four different learning styles: Visual, Auditory, Reading/Writing, and Kinesthetic.

According to an NCBI study, most first-year students were identified as auditory learners, while final-year students and postgraduates preferred kinesthetic learning.

The same learning strategy may not work for everyone. So, figure out your learning style and optimize your study session accordingly. This understanding will help you in learning how to study for USMLE Step 1.

You will also need to look for resources that help you understand concepts effectively.

For example, study tools like flashcards, question banks, and 3D atlases can help prepare.

5. Efficient preparation is essential:

Preparing a schedule and sticking to it does help in covering your list of materials. But it will not be helpful if you are unable to retain information efficiently. Efficient preparation requires your entire focused on the task at hand. Some pointers to achieve this are listed below.

Avoid distractions during your study session.
Taking breaks in between stretches of studying can help in maintaining focus.
Adding to the previous point, do not take too many or too long of a break.
Self-care is vital to help you stay focused

6. Practice, practice, practice:

Like any other examination, practicing repeatedly does help you with passing the Step 1 examination. Practice tests are the best possible way of simulating the USMLE exams. It is advisable to spend a considerable amount of time studying a particular discipline followed by a practice test. There are abundant resources available for practice tests.

After each practice test, analyze the results to identify your weakness. You can then place more focus on the areas of weakness. This process will also help you get familiar with the testing process. It also helps keep you from getting nervous in the testing centers.

Practice exams provided by the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) are the most recommended by students and instructors alike. These practice exams are prepared with the specifications of the USMLE exams in mind.

7. Identify and avoid test preparation burnout:

The term burnout psychological phenomenon that refers to the feeling of being overwhelmed and fatigued by certain circumstances. Symptoms include exhaustion, lack of enthusiasm, increased negativity, decreased performance, etc.

It is crucial to identify burnout and address the issues before they become detrimental to your preparation.

USMLE Step 1 preparation can be tough to handle because of the amount of material that needs to be covered. It can be very tough for students preparing while in school to balance both USMLE preparation and medical school. It is essential to learn how to study for USMLE Step 1.

First, you will have to identify your goals and the amount of effort it requires. It will help you avoid getting overwhelmed. Next, you can prepare a study plan like mentioned earlier and begin studying.

Know your limits and take breaks whenever necessary. By knowing your limits, you can increase productivity and reduce the risk of burning out. Taking a day off occasionally and taking care of yourself is also vital.

Make sure you ask your peers or mentors for help when you find yourself struggling with your preparation. Also, prepare to make changes in your lifestyle to adapt to the exam preparation.

The syllabus can be frightening to look at because of its sheer size. Plan well and put the needed hours in, and you will be able to ace the examination. As seen above, all you have to do is get familiar with the syllabus, create a study schedule, learn continuously, take practice tests, and optimize your preparation strategy. Do remember to take breaks and manage your schedule to avoid burnout.

Texila American University:

If you are looking forward to starting the MD program that will allow you to prepare for USMLE exams effectively, Texila American University (TAU) is worth considering. Its Doctor of Medicine program is one of the most well-structured, coveted, and informative courses. For four years, you would be trained in basic sciences and clinical sciences. Additionally, TAU has partnered with Kaplan Medical and has included the Kaplan USMLE review as part of the Basic Science Curriculum.

Since the MD program of TAU has the USMLE course built-in, you will be able to prepare for your USMLE Step 1 automatically. The benefits of the Doctor of Medicine program are listed below.