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There are several ways in which you can tackle your USMLE qbanks in preparation for the exams.
One of the most successful strategies is this;
Do Three Qbanks [for example Kaplan qbank and USMLE World and NBME]
Qbank Number 1
Qbank Number 3
** This is specific for USMLE World, other qbanks may vary in score prediction.
*** This is if you aim at more than 220 score in USMLE, it can be less or more according to your target.
PS: the choice of Kaplan then USMLE World is not absolute. You can do whatever combination of recognizable qbanks. However, I personally recommend USMLE World specifically for your qbank 2 as students feedback telling that it's most closely related to the actual exam.
One of the most successful strategies is this;
Do Three Qbanks [for example Kaplan qbank and USMLE World and NBME]
Qbank Number 1
- Practice Kaplan qbank [or any other recognized step 1 or step 2 CK qbank] right after finishing your primary study [for example Kaplan Lecture Notes, First Aid, or whatever].
- Do it un-timed [tutor mode] in small blocks. Subject wise, [for example one week of pathology-only or medicine-only questions followed by another week of physiology-only or surgery-only questions].
- Read the answers and explanations thoroughly and go back to your primary materials for things that you have forgotten or to add more bits of information or new concepts you gained from the questions. This will constitute your secondary reading of the original materials.
- Your pace may be in the range of 30-70 questions* per day.
- Your total number of questions varies, see this step 1 post and this step 2 CK post for details.
- Practice USMLE World [or any other recognized step 1 or step 2 CK qbank] after finishing all subjects and/or systems in qbank 1 above.
- Do it timed, in blocks of 50. Select all subjects and systems.
- Do not waste time reading answers and explanations in details unless it's completely a new knowledge or a new concept.
- Your pace may be in the range of 150-450* questions per day, note this is not platelet count!
- Your total number of questions varies 1500-3000, see this step 1 post and this step 2 CK post for details.
Qbank Number 3
- Proceed to NBME [only NBME not any other qbank] when you have consistently averaged above 55%** in qbank 2 above. see this post for best time to take NBME.
- No need for more than 2 NBME forms.
- If you get more than 500*** in NBME then go take the exam, if not you may repeat the above cycle with less number of questions over a shorter period of time.
** This is specific for USMLE World, other qbanks may vary in score prediction.
*** This is if you aim at more than 220 score in USMLE, it can be less or more according to your target.
PS: the choice of Kaplan then USMLE World is not absolute. You can do whatever combination of recognizable qbanks. However, I personally recommend USMLE World specifically for your qbank 2 as students feedback telling that it's most closely related to the actual exam.