basupran
Forum Newbie
Topics: 4
Posts: 11
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There was a post some time back where someone outlined the 5 days before the exam for those looking for a 240+. I can't seem to find it anywhere. Would anyone be so kind as to guide me?
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| dinosaur
Forum Newbie
Topics: 6
Posts: 25
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Good thing I saved that routine somewhere in my computer!
By the way, one thing I'm doing now is just the first 3 days, to get used to the real thing one month from now. Doing 150-200 questions a day is NOT as simple as it looks like... you have to wake up early, 6AM, and start studying by 7AM if you want to finish reading the FA and do 150+ questions.
I started day 1 of 3 today, and just found out the hard way that to do 150 questions a day, one cannot waste a single minute. Watch some TV while you are eating lunch, because that is all the distraction you will have for the day. Started the day at 8:30AM, and found out this is not enough, just managed 100Qs reading all the explanations. The test may start at 9AM, but you need to be at it by 7AM or it is just impossible to follow the routine. Skip the questions that you got right and are very obvious to you, like X-rays of punched-out skull lesions (multiple myeloma), and so on.
The outline is pasted below. Hope this helps you out!
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Schedule (Last 5 days*) ->
key to a 250+ score:
*WARNING: last 5 days are the absolute meat of getting the score.
Everything you've done before
this is just a warm-up. These days are approximately 12-14 hours of studying/day. Besides eating, sleeping and working-out, you are doing ABSOLUTELY NOTHING ELSE BUT STUDYING.
Day 1 - review Biochemistry, Physiology sections of First-Aid (i.e deeply study these sections and all the notes you wrote in the margins). This should take approximately 5-6 hours. In the afternoon, do 150-200 questions/answers related to Biochem, and Physiology.
Day 2 - review all small topics (i.e. Histology, Anatomy, Embryology, Neuroanatomy, Behavioral
Sciences) and Pathology sections of First-Aid plus your notes. Do 150-200 questions related to these topics.
Day 3 - review Pharmacology and Micro + Immuno sections of First-Aid plus your notes. Do 150-200 questions related to these topics.
Day 4 - review First-Aid sections/notes: Biochem, Physio, Path. Do 1 practice test from Appleton and Lange.
Do more questions related to these topics.
Day 5 (Last Day!!!) - Review First Aid sections/notes: Micro + Immuno, Pharm, and small subjects. Do second test from Appleton and Lange. Do more questions related to these topics.
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| Jackofknives
Ipwnpoker.com
Topics: 91
Posts: 737
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Why don't you relax for the last couple of days? Im sure you guys have prepared for months, prolly know everything in and out, the last few days is prolly best suited for saving some stamina for the USMLE marathon. Go for a walk, watch a movie or something.
___________________
There are many things in this world that can’t be changed no matter how hard you try. That’s why you must not hesitate when the time comes where you have to give it all you’ve got.
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| multifactorial
Forum Guru
Topics: 29
Posts: 560
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thanks dinosaur.i think i shall give that schedule a try as i havent been able to come up with one of my own.
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| dinosaur
Forum Newbie
Topics: 6
Posts: 25
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The day before the test you can relax all you want, and of course afterwards you can party all you want. But those few days before the test are not to be taken lightly. On my last Step 1, I took the last days "lightly" based on a recommendation, studying around 6 hours a day.
Bad idea... you are re-reading everything and consolidating every little detail. You are not supposed to be learning anything new. These last few days are for consolidating the minor details and recalling all of the material. It will also build up your stamina - once you go through this little hell (and resting for a full day afterwards) the test should be a cakewalk, and you'll be feeling a lot more confident.
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| multifactorial
Forum Guru
Topics: 29
Posts: 560
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i agree with dinosaur
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| siglenn
Forum Junior
Topics: 7
Posts: 78
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let us know how it came out. i took the "relax" option the week prior to thwe exam and got an 182/74. Im going back to biochem and physio but most of the other subjects, like pharma, patho, behavioral and micro were high. 
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| dinosaur
Forum Newbie
Topics: 6
Posts: 25
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I did NBME form 1 on Saturday after following the first 3 days of the "intense routine" and I got a decent score (210). Compared to some of the superstars around here who seem to get 265 in their NBME and 85 on USMLE World, it may not seem like much, but I have a month to improve my score to a 220-230 on the NBME - 10 points is very doable in a month of intense studying.
What impressed me the most is that I finished each part within 30 minutes, and was able to review each part in full with time to spare. In other words I was so pushed by those 3 days of intense studying that the test was a cakewalk. Imagine what 5 days of intense studying before the test will do!
The week before the actual Step 1 (and before the 5 day intense prep) I will take NBME 4 so I will let you know how it goes. After I take the Step for my last time (because I will definitely pass this time!) I'll let you know if the routine works.
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