ssrpk
Forum Fanatic
Topics: 154
Posts: 2,801
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Hi guys,
Well i'll write about my preparation in some detail with special emphasis on certain facts that may help students out while planning and preparing for step1.
So, this whole USMLE obsession started while i was in 3rd yr of medical college; although i had'nt planned then, when would i take step1 but i went through lots of websites(including this one) searching for best textbooks and review books for different subjects that would not only cover my 3rd yr course but would also be sufficient for my USMLE prepration. For instance, I was studying pharmacology then and i prepared so well for it that i really did'nt have to worry too much about it while i was revising it after almost 18 months and i completed my pharama revision in just 10 days during the 9 months prep. So my point is that if you plan to take step1 you should start your preparation the very next day no matter where you stand and what you are studying! Remember guyz preparing for step1 is a very lengthy process.
Anyway, I basically made up my mind while my 4th yr was around completion and by then i had covered my Pathology in full.
I started my preparation last november, and planned to complete half of the subjects before my 4th year examination which was scheduled for Mar. , subs included Pathology, Physiology, Microbiology & Neuroscience (along with DVD's). I basically started with the body systems and covered each system subject wise; and for each system i gave a max. period of 2 weeks. The best outcome of this strategy was that I could integrate different topics right from the very beginning. This strategy was no doubt very much time consuming but it was worth it, especially while I had to coverup all kinds of new topics in fair detail, and clarify my concepts. The rest of subjects i covered in 2 months (april and may) after my 4th yr exams along with 2nd read of Pathophysiology. The sources that i used were:
Physiology: Ganong , Kaplan notes (although BRS is good but i did'nt read it)
Pathology: Robbin's, Kaplan notes, Goljan rapid review along with lecture notes, Web-path and BRS.
Microbiology : Jawetz , Kaplan notes
Neuroscience: Snell's Clinical neuroanatomy, Kaplan notes and Roadmap Neuroscience (James White)
Anatomy: Kaplan notes, HY notes for anatomy & histology, I also used webpath for radiographs.
Pharmacology : Katzung, Goodman & Gillman, Katzung review, Kaplan notes.
Biochemistry: Kaplan notes
Beh.science: BRS and Kaplan notes. HY for Biostatistics, Appleton and Lange Biostatistics.
Some people has asked me previously how did i cope up with the text books especially towards the end; i took my most of the referrences from textbooks during my first read, and i made notes from them separately which was very helpful. Also i did'nt solve many mcq's during my first read other than webpath, i concentrated more on gathering detailed info and giving enough time for registering them in my mind. It's not about how much info u can hold but how much you can assimilate from ur memory bank.
MCQ's: Kaplan Qbank, Board Simulator Series and Web-path.
My biggest mistakes during my preparation were that I did'nt organize a particular time frame for my 2nd and 3rd read and I did'nt solve many mcq's. So i must recommend everyone to really keep urself very well planned for the last 2 months of prep and also try to stick with ur schedule, i believe it can really make a big difference if you utilize that time efficiently. Try not to follow some one's schedule for the 2nd and subsequent readings, you should really assess urself and make ur own schedule, paying special emphasis on HY stuffs and all those topics you are weak in. Also make it your habit to solve 25 to 50 mcq's on a daily basis , or more if you can digest that much, but be sure to read the explanations very well, otherwise it's merely a waste of time.
For beh.science i must say , work very hard on this subject no matter how easy it may seem, I got too much overconfident and did'nt revise it in the end, and it really showed on my performance profile, fortunately it did'nt effect my overall scores that much. BRS is excellent for beh.science especially the mcq's that are presented ,they are pretty much the same as presented in the exam.
Take NBME form 1 before atleast 3-4 weeks giving yourslef enough time to make one final revision before taking form2. I really recommend that u take nbme as it really gives u a boost for your final prep.
Lastly I must say, from my interpretation this exam is about the application of your concepts and your reasoning through different clinical scenarios that helps you make ur way through the distractors.
I wish you all the best for your preparation and your upcoming exams. 
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life is guud
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| GMOB
Forum Elite
Topics: 16
Posts: 230
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I wanted to be the first one to say: You are truly helping many of us! I appreciate your guidance throughout this whole process, and i'm very happy you are sharing with others your experience. Thank you and God Bless!
My study-mentor ROCKS!!!
G.
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| kingsofke
Forum Guru
Topics: 24
Posts: 715
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Now i know a lot of things that i didnt do. Come on man tell me your step 2 prep so that i dont have to repeat the comment .
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In Life there are neither rewards nor punishments, just consequences.
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| ssrpk
Forum Fanatic
Topics: 154
Posts: 2,801
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hey buddy! hv'nt started my step2 prep. yet, it will take time, however by the time i will start my prep i'll be needing ur guidance!
good luck
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| P4a99
Forum Fanatic
Topics: 36
Posts: 2,239
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Enjoy!
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2008 Step 1 Study Plan Discussion ........ My Blog
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