My step 1 experience 243

[knosway14]

even when i promised i wont post my experience on this forum
(i made a post about how stressed and anxious i was and noone reply, i feel ignored and stupid) it only take me one copy and paste.
good luck on your test folks.

MY STEP 1 EXPERIENCE (243).
please before reading want to make some stuff clear
1) i will try to make this post as detailed as possible so i dont have to answer questions. (specially the silly ones). in fact i wont asnwer any questions.
2) this is my opinion and my opinion only, is just a point of view and not an absolute true.
3) the resourses i mention are what i used, dont ask me about other, cuz i cant give an opinion in something i dont know.
4)every person have a different mind and ways to learn so what work for me not neccesary work for you, or whatever worked for the guy with 270 in final score, not neccesarily gonna work for you, you have to check material and find what is good for you.
BACKGROUND
average medical student, colombian IMG.

Materials used:
KAPLAN LN 2014 (i used it for every subject): they are good for IMG; you should used this as a way to understand basic concepts and then move to high yield resources.
KAPLAN CLASSROOM everywhere: as other kaplan materials this is for understanding basic concepts.
FA 2014: this is whit UW the only "essentials" i am not saying you should go whit UW and FA alone, but this is the core of study, is good to distinguis what is "High yield" and to stick concepts in mind. i only had the chance to read it 2.5 times.
GOLJAN (just for a few topics, is alsmost as new): is a really heavy book, i used it for consults, (not cover to cover), is to complex for me, i think it extend much more beyond step 1 scope. is a good book, but to much for step 1 (no offence, is my opinion as i sait)
DIT 2014: this are GOLD, but it depends in wich phase of your study you are, for example if you are scoring 200-220 they are usefull and can bump you, they also make you know what is high yield. BUT, if you are alreading in a high point (Scoring 240 < or more on NBME) this will be not so usefull and you will feel you may be wasting your time since is only someone covering FA, doing bad jokes meanwhile.
UWORLD: This is the best tool, best qbank, PERIOD. for take the most of it, try it in "ramdom, timed" and also remenber this QUALITY OVER QUANTITY, is better if you can take only 10 question per day, but DO A FULL REVIEW of your mistakes and your correct ones, have FA beside for taking notes, this is for ACTIVE LEARNING. if you take uworld serious it will pay back. also if you did a first intensive review i dont think is neccesary to do a 2nd round... (its ok to repeat incorrects only) UWSA are 400 additional questions i personally didnt review, but i think i should.
Kaptest (kaplan step 1 qbank): the quality of this qbank is good, i only did 1200 questions of 2000 (they have an option for make only "high yield" questions), the multimedia quality is awesome, they are almost as good as uworld. if you have time go for it.
UsmleRx: i didnt like question steem had nothing to do with explanation, it was extremely obnosious (again my opinion)
Pathoma: i didnt review it cover to cover, just for chronic granulomatous dissease. and i find it really good, i would go for pathoma if i had to do it all overagain. (plus all qbanks, have references to pathoma, so it must be good.)
HY neuroanatomy: this book is good for review your doubts about neuroanatomy, i checked this for my weaks areas and i think it pay off, but my main source was kaplan.
kaplan qbook: i find it usefull for subjectwise questions after a chapter/book
I am not a very organized person but this is how i did.
1) read Kaplan LN + FA once
2) Read of Kaplan LN in the specific subject + Chapter of that subject on FA + video ( Kaplan or DIT) for that subject, i used some kaplan and some DIT i can not recall in wich order or for wich subject i use wich. but both are great. and then questions from qbook.
ie: Kaplan Patho + Kaplan video Patho + FA patho + Qbook Patho
took a baseline NBME form 15 : 224
3) INTENSIVE INTENSIVE AND CAREFULL review of UWORLD: ramdom and timed. completed 1 month and 20 days. avg of 72% , took a round of incorrect aftermath and both UWSA both 248. took over 300 pages of notes.
took a second NBME 16: 241 after completing 50% of uworld
took NBME 17 : 232 ( i think i freak out during this ) and NBME 13 :247 after finishing uworld
4) DID half of DIT and kaptest got 82% avg again ramdom, timed and "high yield " option and readed my NOTES.
i didnt took any simulation close to my exam, i didnt want to freak out in the dates close to it, because of a bad result.
week previous to exam: i spent reading my notes and doing kaptest questions.
48 hours previous: i did nothing but relax, played a lot of video games and watch some stupid stuffs in youtube, i actually drink some beers to fall sleep the night before.
exam day: clotches the more comfourtable the better, you aing going to an interview. food not heavy, something you like but not heavy , you dont want to be pooping in your pants that day. and water.
My feelings: it was as hard as any NBME or uworld, try to keep calm and DONT FREAK OUT. it just could make things worst.
botton line AND FINAL ADVICES.
1) sorround by positive people...
2) PLANING, this is one of the most important things, find what resourses works for you and stick to it, UW and FA are the only essentials.
3) two important phases on study
comprenhesive: in this you have to understant de basic concepts and not memorize (this is composed by your review books ie kaplan, pathoma or whatever you choose).
retentive: in this phase you have to retain stuff and most important differentiate, what is high yield for step 1 (qbanks and DIT can help you ) and also clarify any concept you didnt understand in your 1st review of the material.
4) QUESTIONS, QUESTIONS, QUESTIONS...do as much as posible.
5) find whatever motivates you and keep arround whatever it is.
6) KEEP CALM, whatever you are doing is better, if you are calm.
wish you the best on your test.
nothing else to say.... sorry for the long post.

[Alvira]

Thank you so much for putting an effort on writing an overview and giving us a general insight on how to ace the exam...good luck!!!

[gus247]

hey man, I also so this post on the FB group page. felicitaciones, hermano. ahora solo queda dar los demas jaja

[Paty]

Thank you so much for such a detailed post, for me this is gold, as IMG I appreciate avery single advise and of course congratulation on your outstanding result . Good luck!