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Step 1 Experience - 261

17K views 16 replies 14 participants last post by  uworldthrowaway 
#1 ·
Hi,
I'm new to this forum. I've found this forum useful so I want to thank everyone in this forum that keep posting helpful advice...:D

I've just received my step 1 score.. it's 261.. (like a dream). I feel that most of the exam materials were new to me.. I spent approx. a year and 3 mos with irregular study time because I'm a slow learner and I was relaxing. So, here are my sources that I found useful:

1. Goljan Review Book --> very useful and good. It's too complete for the exam but it's very good to build up your basic knowledge and answer a lot of questions that you encounter in daily practice. I don't finish the first 3 chapters.

2. Kaplan lecture notes --> good for the detailed information but actually too deep for the exam.. and the quizzes are hard.. But it's a good source to build up and strengthen your basic knowledge. I review anatomy, physiology, and pathology (except general path section) twice.

3. Kaplan Video --> only listen (once) to pharmacology (chapter 1-5), behavioral science (my weakest point), physiology, pathology (except general path). The most useful one are pharmacology n behavioral science.

4. UW qbank (98% completed) --> I spent the last 3 months to do UW in timed, unused mode. I'm only able to finish 1 block/day. Its explaination is very good that It provide me with a good understanding of basic concept, esp on hardest part e.g. physiology; and also fill the gap.

5. high yield microbiology and neuroscience --> as a supplement
6. first aid cases --> only 3 chapters to help you recall the concept.
7. First aid 2011--> only for mnemonics and aid during studying qbank. read first 5 chapters.

My score prediction (all are taken within 5 days before exam):
1. UWSA: 265, 260
2. NBME form 15: 247
3. NBME form 13: 252

My advice is:
1. you must build strong basic concept and understanding. Step 1 is about understanding the concepts and applying them in questions.
2. Don't be discouraged by q bank score and hard questions. By time, through efforts and studying, you will raise your score gradually.
3. Be confident during exam. Think of that you have studied hard and you will be paid of. Being nervous can compromise your performance. Manage your break time wisely. I take small break every blocks to refresh my mind. Frankly, I got nauseated on the 6th blocks.. Taking break is helpful. My fault was spending too much time on exam tutorial. Skip tutorial as soon as possible (after making sure your earphone work). Don't spend too much time on hard and long questions. Mark them for review later..

Hope this help..

Good luck for everyone who is going to take the exam...:D
 
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#4 ·
I don't have time to finish first aid... However, I do recommend everyone to read it and use it in parallel with another resources. It's a good book because it has compiled all of the essential things that you need to know and of course, good mnemonics... Hope this help:D
 
#7 ·
Hi,
I'm new to this forum. I've found this forum useful so I want to thank everyone in this forum that keep posting helpful advice...:D

I've just received my step 1 score.. it's 261.. (like a dream). I feel that most of the exam materials were new to me.. I spent approx. a year and 3 mos with irregular study time because I'm a slow learner and I was relaxing. So, here are my sources that I found useful:

1. Goljan Review Book --> very useful and good. It's too complete for the exam but it's very good to build up your basic knowledge and answer a lot of questions that you encounter in daily practice. I don't finish the first 3 chapters.

2. Kaplan lecture notes --> good for the detailed information but actually too deep for the exam.. and the quizzes are hard.. But it's a good source to build up and strengthen your basic knowledge. I review anatomy, physiology, and pathology (except general path section) twice.

3. Kaplan Video --> only listen (once) to pharmacology (chapter 1-5), behavioral science (my weakest point), physiology, pathology (except general path). The most useful one are pharmacology n behavioral science.

4. UW qbank (98% completed) --> I spent the last 3 months to do UW in timed, unused mode. I'm only able to finish 1 block/day. Its explaination is very good that It provide me with a good understanding of basic concept, esp on hardest part e.g. physiology; and also fill the gap.

5. high yield microbiology and neuroscience --> as a supplement
6. first aid cases --> only 3 chapters to help you recall the concept.
7. First aid 2011--> only for mnemonics and aid during studying qbank. read first 5 chapters.

My score prediction (all are taken within 5 days before exam):
1. UWSA: 265, 260
2. NBME form 15: 247
3. NBME form 13: 252

My advice is:
1. you must build strong basic concept and understanding. Step 1 is about understanding the concepts and applying them in questions.
2. Don't be discouraged by q bank score and hard questions. By time, through efforts and studying, you will raise your score gradually.
3. Be confident during exam. Think of that you have studied hard and you will be paid of. Being nervous can compromise your performance. Manage your break time wisely. I take small break every blocks to refresh my mind. Frankly, I got nauseated on the 6th blocks.. Taking break is helpful. My fault was spending too much time on exam tutorial. Skip tutorial as soon as possible (after making sure your earphone work). Don't spend too much time on hard and long questions. Mark them for review later..

Hope this help..

Good luck for everyone who is going to take the exam...:D
Thank you for shairing your experience...you got a great score..
 
#8 ·
hi

Hi,
I'm new to this forum. I've found this forum useful so I want to thank everyone in this forum that keep posting helpful advice...:D

I've just received my step 1 score.. it's 261.. (like a dream). I feel that most of the exam materials were new to me.. I spent approx. a year and 3 mos with irregular study time because I'm a slow learner and I was relaxing. So, here are my sources that I found useful:

1. Goljan Review Book --> very useful and good. It's too complete for the exam but it's very good to build up your basic knowledge and answer a lot of questions that you encounter in daily practice. I don't finish the first 3 chapters.

2. Kaplan lecture notes --> good for the detailed information but actually too deep for the exam.. and the quizzes are hard.. But it's a good source to build up and strengthen your basic knowledge. I review anatomy, physiology, and pathology (except general path section) twice.

3. Kaplan Video --> only listen (once) to pharmacology (chapter 1-5), behavioral science (my weakest point), physiology, pathology (except general path). The most useful one are pharmacology n behavioral science.

4. UW qbank (98% completed) --> I spent the last 3 months to do UW in timed, unused mode. I'm only able to finish 1 block/day. Its explaination is very good that It provide me with a good understanding of basic concept, esp on hardest part e.g. physiology; and also fill the gap.

5. high yield microbiology and neuroscience --> as a supplement
6. first aid cases --> only 3 chapters to help you recall the concept.
7. First aid 2011--> only for mnemonics and aid during studying qbank. read first 5 chapters.

My score prediction (all are taken within 5 days before exam):
1. UWSA: 265, 260
2. NBME form 15: 247
3. NBME form 13: 252

My advice is:
1. you must build strong basic concept and understanding. Step 1 is about understanding the concepts and applying them in questions.
2. Don't be discouraged by q bank score and hard questions. By time, through efforts and studying, you will raise your score gradually.
3. Be confident during exam. Think of that you have studied hard and you will be paid of. Being nervous can compromise your performance. Manage your break time wisely. I take small break every blocks to refresh my mind. Frankly, I got nauseated on the 6th blocks.. Taking break is helpful. My fault was spending too much time on exam tutorial. Skip tutorial as soon as possible (after making sure your earphone work). Don't spend too much time on hard and long questions. Mark them for review later..

Hope this help..

Good luck for everyone who is going to take the exam...:D
Thank you for shairing your experience...you got a great score..
 
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