subject: USMLE Step 1 Exam - 4 Ways To Ensure A Score Higher Than 220 [print this page] USMLE Step 1 Exam - 4 Ways To Ensure A Score Higher Than 220
Are you ready to start studying for the USMLE Step 1 exam but aren't sure exactly how to start because everyone is telling you do "do this" or "do that"? Well the problem with 99% of people telling you how to do it is that they aren't achieving the right kind of success themselves. If you want real advice from someone who has been there and succeeded, then you should follow the following four steps for success, as these are real techniques that will ensure your success, not just recommendations for the latest strategy or study program.
Four great steps to ensure you score well above average include:
1 - Develop a strategy plan
2 - Class notes are the best study notes
3 - Start doing questions early (ideally from day 1)
4 - Use NBME mock-tests to gauge how you will score
Let's take a closer look at these steps,
1 - Develop a strategy plan
Basically put, if you don't develop a strategy plan you will be moving in every which direction and you won't achieve anything close to what you are capable of doing. It is important to plan out your study strategy as well as your down-time, as this will ensure you stay on track and make the best strides towards achieving success. Develop short-term plans and long-term plans for your studies, making yourself weekly goals, monthly goals, and then finally yearly goals. By starting with a Step 1 study plan early, you will experience much less stress and ultimately you will end up with a much higher score.
2 - Class notes are the best study notes
Your class notes are as complete as study notes for the USMLE Step 1 can get. Take your class notes and make condensed versions of these, and when you are done your basic sciences you will have a great starting point for you final USMLE review.
3 - Start doing questions early
Most people only start doing practice questions the few weeks before writing the Step 1, but if you were to start from day 1 of your basic sciences, you will build your knowledge foundation much earlier and this will ultimately results in better test-taking, less studying required later, and ultimately it will result in a much better Step 1 score.
4- Use NBME tests to gauge how you will score
These are practice exams that are supposed to gauge how well you are prepared for your test. These are usually accurate to 5-10 points, so if you take one and are within your goal-range, you are probably well prepared. If on the other hand you are not close, take this number seriously and start working hard on your weakest areas.
Do you want a study guide for the Step 1 exam that was written by a student who has recently taken and aced the Step 1 exam?
Grab a copy of The USMLE Step 1 BIBLE by clicking HERE
