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some guidance will help medical students seeking to ace USMLE
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Cracking the USMLE!!
FARAZ KHAN LUNI M.D.University of Toledo, Ohio
Internal Medicine
USMLE Step 1 score 99 (266)USMLE Step 2 score 99 (263) USMLE Step 3 score 99 (234)
DISCLAIMER! No fixed formula of
success
Listen to others
Do what suits you
Avoid Stress
Sort out family issues
Decide what you want
Long process
Avoid Stress
Sleep well
Take out time to relax and exercise
Don’t postpone exams unnecessarily
- Maximum of four reads
How to study
Hard work pays off but smart studying pays off even more
Study Partner or group
Make a timetable and stick to it
Time Table Have 8 Hours of Sleep- Fixed sleeping schedule
Time to relax
Time to exercise
Study in breaks
Time Table 9 AM Wake up 10-2:30 Study (4.5
Hours) 2:30-3 TV 3-6 Sleep 6-6:30 Tea Time 6:30-9 Study (2.5
Hours) 9-9:30 Exercise 9:30-10 Eat-TV 10-2:30 Study (4.5
Hours)
How to study
Library
Don’t over prepare
How to study
Not many Buzz words
Clinical scenarios
No Rattas please
- No need to memorize every line
Step 1 subjects (in order of importance)
Pathology (Highest yield) Microbiology (Bacteriology high yield,
Viral Groups) Behavioral Sciences (Our Achilles' Tendon) Pharmacology (Personal Classification
Notes) Immunology (Immune deficiency
diseases high yield) Physiology Biochemistry (First Aid is our aid) Genetics Anatomy (YES!!! Lowest yield
topic. Only Neuroanatomy is high yield)
Which books to use
Kaplan Lecture Notes (Along with DVDs)
Kaplan 100 cases of ethics Epidemiology and Biostatistics for
the USMLE (Appleton and Lange) Goljan Pathology (Old Edition)
Which books to use
Original First Aid Kaplan Q bank (Not Q book) UWorld MCQs (ONLINE!!!) DON’T use High yield series, Grey’s,
Harper,Guyton, Ganong!!!
First Read Orient Yourself
Don’t panic if you don’t remember
Slowest read
Should take ~3 months ~ 10-15 more days if DVDs
First Read
Kaplan Series Kaplan 100 cases of ethics Epidemiology and Biostatistics for
the USMLE (Appleton and Lange) Goljan Pathology (Some recommend
Lectures)- New edition too detailed!
First Read
DVDs - Alternate way of studying- NOT necessary for good scores- Make additions to Kaplan- Do not write every word
First Read
DVDs - Watch once- Increase speed, Capture (Power
DVD) - Behavior sciences is a must!- Decide for yourself
Second Read
Revise
Should take ~ 2 months (with Q Bank)
Don’t waste time on DVDs
Second Read
Original First Aid
- MUST use it!- NOT a replacement for Kaplan- Great retention and revision tool
Second Read
Kaplan Q bank (Book Format)
- Understand question pattern - Topic by topic- Identify high yield topics- Note new information
Third Read Should take ~15 days
U World ~ 13 more days
Kaplan + First Aid
U World Online ( www.usmleworld.com )
USMLE World Always Online (Don’t use book)
- $99 package
- Smartest $99 ever spent!
- Can also give self assessment (Extra $30)
USMLE World
Learning tool (Not Evaluation)- High 60s ~ High 90s- Exam day matters
Identify Weaknesses
USMLE World www.usmleworld.com
Extra Information- Make notes
Gives feel of the exam
Schedule near the real exam
USMLE World FAQs
Not getting good scores
U World Vs Real Exam
My friend got a low score
Day before the Exam
Stop studying by 6 pm Relax Stay away from position holders Sleep early
Day before the Exam
Don’t use long acting sedatives (Valium)
Go see Prometric centre at least a day before
Exam Tutorial Don’t cross question yourself
Step 1 Exam Format
8 Blocks
- 1 st Block Tutorial
- 7 Block MCQs (46 MCQs per Block)
Exam Format 15 Min Tutorial
45 min Break
1 Hour per Block
If you finish earlier time added to break time
Block time is CONSTANT (1 hour)
Exam Day
Reach early Use restroom Don’t study on exam day or in exam
break Take juices, snacks Panadol Extra (A lifesaver!!)
Exam Day
Skip tutorial
- Check mouse, sound, monitor
Time management
Breaks
Exam Day
Have a positive attitude All blocks WONT go well Don’t evaluate yourself It seems crazy but ENJOY your exam
How to attempt questions?
Read the last line first Look at the options Then read the whole question Highlight
How to attempt questions?
Don’t waste time Use mark option Tick any answer Don’t leave any unanswered
question All the information is in Kaplan and
UWorld
Under Grads Time for Concepts
- Proper Text Books
- Kaplan
- Don’t compromise your Med School
Under GradsShould I go for the Steps?
Pros- Information fresh- Save time to residency
Cons- Only 1 USMLE attempt (Unless you
Flunk)- Neglect of college studies- Stressful
House Job Pros
- Backup- Learning- Pakistan Option- PMDC- Financial
House Job
Cons
- Does not affect scores- 1 extra year- Less Study time- Not a big boost to your match
chances
House Job Do or not?- Visa Status- Family Issues
AKU or Civil
How to study?- Time- Wards
FAQs
Should I give Step 1 first or Step 2
Old edition or new one
FAQs
Is USMLE Step 1 studies good enough to pass FCPS
Should I delay my exam
FAQs
Audio Visual Questions
Slides
USMLE Step 2
USMLE STEP 2 Attempt within 3-4 months of step 1
Questions from step 1 syllabus
Shorter syllabus
USMLE STEP 2 Studying smartly is the key
Beware of mistakes in Kaplan
Time management very important
Subjects
Medicine (Highest Yield) Pediatrics (Medium Yield) Obstetrics and Gynecology (Medium
Yield) Surgery (Lowest Yield) Psychiatry (Lowest Yield)
What to focus on?
What is the next best step What is the next best test What is the most accurate test What is the most likely diagnosis How to manage
What to study? Recommended Only Kaplan Series UWorld Mcqs (Either online or Book) Master the Boards (Not used by me)
Not Recommended No Dvd’s except Cardiology and
Gynaecology No First Aid No Qbank
How to study?
Three reads more then enough Timing
1st read ~ 2 months with UWorld
2nd read ~1 month
3rd read ~ 13 days
How to study?
U World with first read
Everyone gets whipped in U World
Understand pattern Identify high yield topics
Step 2 Exam Format
9 Blocks
- 1 st Block Tutorial
- 8 Block MCQs (44 MCQs per Block)
USMLE Step 3 2 Day Exam
First Day MCQs Second Day MCQs + Clinical Case
Scenario
Best time as soon after Step 2
USMLE Step 3 UWorld
Kaplan Step 2 Or Step 3
Master the Boards
Result and Etiquettes
Result comes after 3 weeks on Wednesdays
- 9AM EST
DON’T call person to ask result
Anything less than 99 is NOT a disappointment
