|  What worked best for you in your preparation?- I kept the same schedule every day starting at 8 am and studying until 10 pm when I went to bed. Interspersed were breaks for lunch, working out, and dinner. Each weekend I left the city and spent time with family and friends. All in all, I studied 5 days per week and any more would have burned me out.
- I think the 5 intense weeks of studying were more than sufficient, if not excessive. Going into those 5 weeks, I had already very heavily annotated my First Aid once through. This consisted mostly of cross-referencing information within First Aid (putting in page numbers where a topic was mentioned elsewhere, tying concepts together from various organ systems, adding little notes I had picked up from other sources). This was a gargantuan task, it took me all of spring break, most weekends and a little bit every day from March to mid-May, but I am pretty slow. I listened to all of Goljan's 37 lectures very carefully once through before those 5 weeks started. While listening if I didn't understand something or didn’t catch it completely, I rewound and listened again, and again. This was very time consuming, but entirely worthwhile. In fact, I cannot emphasize enough how much listening to Goljan's lectures helped prepare me for the exam. Not only is the material Goljan covers very relevant to the subject matter tested on the exam, the way he presents information, the way he thinks through it, without his notes, leads you the listener to adopt a certain kind of logic that I found essential to looking beyond just the words of a test question, the vignette, and seeing what the concept was that the question was intended to test. Countless times on the exam, I would come across a question and would immediately think back to something Goljan had said. During the 5 weeks, I went through the USMLE World Q bank. Though I didn’t have a daily plan, I attempted doing 200 questions a day, or 4 testing blocks, and reviewing the answers the same day. I would always take my blocks in testing mode, always timed, and always a random sampling of unused questions from all the disciplines. I could see it was working, since at the beginning of the q bank it was not uncommon for me to get scores in the 60's, and by the end it was not uncommon to get scores in the 90's. Had I done 200 questions a day I would have finished q bank in about 10 days. In reality, it took me a little over 2 weeks, but I thought it was important that I didn't get stressed out about time. That's why I liked not having a daily plan, because some days I just wasn't at the top of my game, either tired, or sick, or just a little burned out, and I found that there was no point in pushing myself since my memory was bad and my poor performance would just dishearten me. After a bad day, I was eager to kick it up a notch and these good days made up for my bad days. What I found to be hardest part of my regimen was reviewing the questions from my morning tests. I would start with the ones I got wrong, then I would go over the ones I had marked, and if I had time, I would skim the ones I got right. This was way more time consuming than I liked, since usually I would have my First Aid out and I would review whole topics related to a question I answered wrong.
By the end of my q bank though, I was used to working in timed conditions, I was used to seeing a variety of questions from all sorts of subjects back to back, and I was very familiar with First Aid and all of the notes I had made in it. Doing 4 blocks in a row every day for 2 weeks built up my stamina. While I did feel that the test was pretty long while I was taking it, I was definitely used to that feeling and it didn't impair my judgment. That's one thing I learned from my q bank experience - a good score on a particular block was a combination of knowing the subject matter the question tested and having a clear, sharp mind during the block to avoid stupid mistakes and falling for tricks in the questions. Overall, I think the q bank was excellent.
After I finished q bank I went through First Aid again and listening to Goljan again. I had already been listening to Goljan a little every day, so I didn't find it hard to go through the lectures a second time. I even started on a 3rd round but I didn't have time to finish before my exam. I thought it was very helpful to listen to Goljan so much, because each time I listened, I picked up on something I hadn't caught before. It was pretty amazing, given how thoroughly I thought I had listened. My second trek through First Aid was a little more painful. In fact, at times it felt like pulling teeth. It went VERY slowly. I knew most of the things I was reviewing, and I probably had looked through the entire book while going through q bank, but I thought this 2nd and final, cover to cover, methodical run through right before my exam was helpful. I focused more on memorizing things that just had to be memorized, like drugs and micro. At the same time, I would do some q bank questions every day to keep up my testing skills. I made full timed tests drawing from the questions I had gotten wrong. When I got through all of those, I made timed tests with questions I had marked (I had over 1000 marked questions). I didn't get through all of my marked questions, but overall I would say I re-did half of the q bank, the half that gave me the most trouble. I also had days when I would simulate a full 7 hours of test taking. One such day was the practice prometric test, which I would highly recommend. I had 2 questions on my real exam that were directly from the practice prometric test, phrased a little differently of course, but same picture, same vignette. I also made a 7 hour test out of some of Goljan's practice questions, and another 7 hour test out of the USMLE World practice tests. This was to build up stamina. I think it was a good idea, but doing too many of these 7 hour practice exams is not a good idea, they can tire you out and discourage you if they don't go well. More than 3 is probably too many.
- During the first half of second year, I tried to focus as much as possible on doing well on the SBM exam sand really understanding the material. Starting in January, I began to annotate in the First Aid, using lecture materials as sources of additional information. So, by May I had a pretty good basic foundation in place for the hard-core studying that started for me. Once classes ended,I focused in on mastering a few core books instead of reading a few chapters in the tens of thousands of possible boards books out there. Most importantly, I made sure that I did PLENTY of practice questions,especially USMLEWORLD.
- Semi-panicking early and often helped me to avoid real panic at the end.
- I learn by reorganizing information my own way, so I made study sheets from First Aid that consolidated info and laid it out in a way that could better understand. I also learn by repetition, so I'd go through those sheets multiple times. The USMLE World question bank was good, but I preferred to use it as a way to test myself, rather than learn from it. I always set it to "all topics" because that's what the real test is like. For each question I got wrong or found very challenging, I wrote the general punch-line on a piece of paper. I organized these by topic, having one page dedicated to Cardio,, another Micro, another Biochem, etc. This made it easy to review the questions I got wrong.
- The only boards related thing you should be doing before Christmas Break is listening to the relevant Goljan lectures, reading Step 1Secrets, and annotating your First Aid. That probably won't even help on the boards, but it will improve your SBM tests.
- Mixing up my study materials worked well. When I got tired of reading or annotating I'd take a walk and listen to Dr. Goljan. I found he was a great way to both start and break up my day. That way I didn't get as bored! Also - doing qbank nearly every day was really helpful in focusing my studying (even if it's only 20 questions). I took the practice tests like the real thing. I think this helped my stamina. Taking a practice test halfway through my studying helped me focus the 2nd half of my time better.
- I found my comfort zone mentally and physically. I didn’t have a rigid schedule, rather did things when I was comfortable doing them! For example, I wanted to keep working out during boards but I didn't make myself go to the gym each day. Some days I was on a roll studying so I just kept at it. Other days I hit a wall and would go for a run, watch TV and then pick up studying later in the day. Listen to your body and mind.
- I studied at home away from Galter and this helped me tremendously. I was comfortable at home, I could eat when I wanted, work out when I wanted, etc. This made me so much more focused throughout the entire day. I wish I had done it earlier rather than jumping around from Tarry to Galter to the law library to coffee shops.
- What worked for me was developing a routine. I started doing 50 or so questions a day (always random questions and timed blocks) and annotating First Aid with information from the Q bank explanations. READEVERY QUESTION EXPLANATION, even the ones you get right. I also read 1-2sections of First Aid a day. I built up to 100 questions a day and rereading First Aid multiple times. While I didn't make a detailed schedule for myself, I always studied in the same place, at the same time every day, and this allowed me to focus better.
- A combination of individual and group study was the only way I knew that I'd stay on track for Step I. My study group (which I'd been apart of for all of M1 and M2 years) had begun our start towards Boards review in late February. In addition to our normal study schedule, we'd meet up one extra time per week to cover a chapter in First Aid (or half a chapter for the really long ones like Biochem and Micro). Each one of the four of us would take a quarter of the material for that week, annotate First Aid based on the BRS Physio and Path (or Goljan Path--personal preference), and then we'd spend an hour or two going through our notes.We tended to pick chapters during the unit that corresponded to them, as well as a few mutually agreed upon weak points. Being familiar with First Aid before the end of the school year made the last month of study a lot less intimidating.
- I loved practice questions. I went through First Aid and learned it cold then did both Qbanks. It seemed to work well. I hate cramming so I went over biochem over spring break (not the whole break! Just like 3 evenings. Do NOT feel like that can/should be your whole break). I also didn't stress during the study period and felt free to take evenings off when I needed to. Remember higher stress level does not equate to a higher score.
- Took notes into review books from class. Didn't waste time studying anatomy, histology or pharm that isn't in First Aid. I didn't abandon class lectures in the end and I'm really glad I didn't.
- I think I did micro the right way. I absolutely nailed it during SBM, and used micro cards, very simple, and Lange questions early on. Repeated this in the spring, and felt completely prepared for that section. Repeated BRS Path ad nauseum. This I believe was key.
- I focused not just on memorizing, but on understanding concepts. Some things do need to be memorized, but memorizing First Aid will do absolutely nothing for you, unless you take the time to read other material that helps you truly grasp the mechanism. I stayed on top of SBM. We learn a lot of information, and all of it is a great base for boards studying. I read through First Aid multiple times, but didn’t make it my only source. I started focusing on boards review in April, doing a little bit at a time. I made my learning more active by transcribing information that I came across that wasn't in First Aid. By the end,my First Aid looked like it had been through a war. I established a day-by-day schedule, instead of an hour-by-hour schedule. I planned what I wanted to accomplish on a day-by-day basis (cardio 1 day, GI 1 day, etc)and felt far more comfortable with my decision in the long run. I did not listen to the schedules of other students!! I was thoughtful when coming up with a study schedule in recognizing what sort of study habits I'd developed throughout the year (knowing, for example, that I learn best by repetition). I did ALL of the QBank questions and read through every single answer choice. I started out on tutor mode, which was a fantastic learning tool, and then as test day got closer, I did larger blocks of questions to practice focusing for an hour at a time (and reviewing every single answer). A week before the test I did a 4-hour assessment and then 3 extra hours of questions. By accomplishing this I knew that I could sit through 7 hours of testing. I took a practice test at the testing facility. I think it was helpful to be in the real testing environment for a few hours. I kept my gym-time and TV time sacred,and made sleep a priority. I kept in close contact with my family and non-med-school friends. A strong non-med-school support system was really, really important to me, and I know they helped me get through everything. Ear plugs were essential.
- It was important to me to have a 2 week vacation, so I decided to give myself three weeks of studying before I took the boards. Since that is on the shorter end of study time, I did not really take any days off and instead just studied pretty much all day for 20 days in a row. I would get up really early because I was more efficient in the mornings. I think this study schedule was only possible because I had a trip to look forward to!! Also I worked out every single day which was absolutely necessary for keeping balance and feeling good.
- Consolidate your resources. Don't try to have a separate book for each subject. Pick a few key books along with Uworld and learn those from front to back.
- Learn in the moment - the single most important thing I did to prepare for boards was to study hard and keep my head on straight during the first two years of medical school. SBM is a powerful, well-structured curriculum that incorporates all major topics that will be covered on the boards. Leaders in the field provide us with the latest and most pertinent clinical information on their particular subject. During your first two years, your "first pass" of this dense material is perhaps most important.To this day, my approach to most major concepts covered on the boards or on wards remains identical to how I first learned that material. The SBM review series at the end of our curriculum (starts in May and was organized by our excellent student leadership) help solidify those concepts – highly recommended! The minor subjects (such as biochem)that are not well covered in SBM have strong sections in First Aid to compensate. I used only syllabi and PowerPoints to navigate my learning during the year, but any source will teach the same core concepts. The key is learning in the moment and not telling yourself that you will learn it later prior to the test.
- Grab a study partner – this depends on how you study best and works for some people. For me, it kept me motivated and challenged. It is much easier to stick to a planned schedule with a study partner. It also allowed me to clarify any uncertain points with the material at hand. It is important that your study partner is similar to you in terms of your goals and study techniques.
- Know what works for you – You have become master test takers over the last two years – continue the study skills that have worked best during SF and SBM. Step 1 is after all just another test.
- I did lots of questions. I would start every morning doing 3-4 hours of questions. In the afternoon, I would review the topics that I set out for myself. In the evening I would do 2-3 more hours of questions.
- One of the most important things that I did was identify my biggest weakness, and focus on those over spring break. I made great strides during that week to bring up my weakest areas in line with my other knowledge. Don’t resign to not knowing an entire section.
- SBM laid a great foundation for boards studying. I thought this applied especially to microbiology. Learn it well during Toolbox, and you'll save yourself a lot of time and grief studying for microbio for the boards.
- Pay attention to SBM during the last unit (on dermatology,musculoskeletal, and nutrition). Since it's the last unit and boards studying becomes a lot more intense, it's easy to prioritize starting to study for boards over studying for the last unit. But I found that studying this unit well saved me time later since the information was still fresh and I retained the information well.
- A wise M3 told me to use First Aid as my bible, and if a lecture wasn't in First Aid (eg. female sexual dysfunction), then I shouldn't devote more than an hour to it during the whole year. And if a lecture was featured in FA (like all path lectures and the majority of SBM) then I should annotate my FA with little notes that were easily recalled. (As an aside, one should either have their First Aid bound or three-hole punched so that they don't feel guilty writing notes in it.)
- I'm a huge proponent of question-based learning. UWorld, webpath, and the Robbins Q book were fantastic. I started doing the relevant UWorldsection for the unit learned after Christmas Break. Don't start doing UWorld Q's for a unit until near the end of the unit because you want to be testing how well you learned the material and not encountering the material for the first time. Mark a question if you got it right, but were unsure of your answer. Leave questions you got wrong unmarked. On the day before the SBM test make sure to take the time to go over every marked and missed question. Using tutor mode was good because I wasn't worried about running out of time, but I made sure I could finish quickly before using tutor mode. I finished the UWorld Q bank on the last day of SBM. I then did 50 Q blocks of missed Q's until I was done with those. I then reset Uworld and did 100 Q's a day until a couple of days before boards.
- Review when appropriate. The day before you start cardiac pathophysiology second year,spend some time reviewing cardiac physiology from first year. If you do this for every block, you will have reviewed everything except biochem and anatomy by the time boards rolls around. Use BRS physiology if you don't have old notes.
- Listen to every Golijan lecture (except heme) twice while following along with RR Path during the window between SBM and boards. Goljan is exceptional at really making small diseases stick in your head when the boards try to trick you with minutiae.
- Printout SBM lectures. You'll get tired of looking at a computer once you start using UWorld.
- I did a few things that I think were really helpful. First, I went home to study which was nice because I felt less stressed and I was able to spend time with my family each day. I kept a pretty strict schedule to keep myself motivated. I tried to start studying each day at8AM. I always took an hour for lunch and an hour for dinner which I spent with friends or my family. Some days I would just read for fun over lunch. I also made a schedule of chapters to study in First Aid.I read through all of First Aid, trying to do one topic a day (I spent two days on Micro and two days on Biochemistry). The neurology chapter has a lot of drugs so I restudied these when I covered pharmacology. A basic day involved doing all the questions in USMLE World Q bank and reading through First Aid. Sometimes I made flashcards -it all depended on the subject and how much time I had. I went through almost all the subjects twice as I need repetition to learn. The second time went faster and I skipped a few subjects. I was finished studying in less than 4 weeks.
- Create a schedule (as specific as you want to make it). My schedule consisted of dividing topics to study for each week. For example, I made myself study Neurology and Psychiatry one week and Male and Female GU and Endocrine another week. Because I started studying after spring break, I planned it out so that the "lighter"topics were during the rest of M2 year, and the "heavier"subjects were after MDM ended.
- I didn't go through First Aid until after I had looked over other resources. Its much more productive to go through First Aid after looking over other materials, so that you can add important info into First Aid. Consolidate your study materials so that the week before Step 1 you only have to refer to one resource to review the material. This makes things easier, and you'll stress out less. I preferred to do questions after having read through the material from Goljan's, BRS Path, First Aid first. I found it worked for me, and it was more like a test/review than studying.
- I read First Aid over and over and over. I used some of the online practice tests to identity my weak areas. I then read sections relevant to those areas in Rapid Review Pathology and did practice problems on those areas.
- I made sure I really knew concepts during M1 and M2 so that before Step 1, I only had to review stuff.
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