When preparing for the USMLE Step 1 during your review term, having a clear strategy is essential. Through my experience, I developed a systematic approach that helped me maintain steady progress while avoiding burnout. Here’s an overview of how I structured my study strategy.
As a medical student at a Caribbean medical school, the review term offers a crucial opportunity to consolidate your basic sciences knowledge and prepare for Step 1. In this second post of my Step 1 preparation series, I’ll share my experience and strategies during this critical period.
Primary Resources
- USMLE-Rx Express Videos
- First Aid for Step 1
- USMLE-Rx Question Bank
- UWorld – Partially
My Study Approach
I developed a systematic yet flexible approach focusing on content mastery:
- Section-By-Section Method
- Watched USMLE-Rx express videos for each First Aid section
- Annotated First Aid while watching videos
- Completed corresponding USMLE-Rx practice questions
- Moved systematically through each section and chapter
- Question Bank Strategy
- Initially attempted both USMLE-Rx and UWorld questions
- Realized this was too time-intensive
- Focused primarily on USMLE-Rx questions
- Noticed a steady improvement in my question performance and understanding
Why I Chose USMLE-Rx Express Videos
While researching study strategies, I came across Dr. America Revere’s Step 1 preparation video on YouTube from 2018. Her approach using USMLE-Rx caught my attention because she demonstrated significant improvement from her initial NBME CBSE practice test to her final one at the end of her dedicated study period. This strategy also appeared well-structured and easily replicable. She also shared insights into her progress, and this resonated with me.
It’s important to note that since 2018 the Step 1 exam has evolved significantly. It’s, since, transitioned from a numerical score to pass/fail grading, there’s increased complexity of the questions with less focus on regurgitation of memorized information and much more emphasis on application of knowledge. Despite these changes, I still found immense value in adopting her study strategy to today’s exam format. The systematic approach to content review proved effective for me to build a strong foundation.
The Practice Test Debate
My faculty mentor had recommended monthly practice tests throughout the review term. However, each NBME practice exam is five hours in duration, and requires generally another five hours for review after completion, and to make notes on incorrect answers. As such, I ended up prioritizing content review and practice questions over full practice tests. Early on, I identified content recall as my area of weakness rather than question interpretation. I determined it to be a better use of my time to review content to solidify my knowledge to apply to questions, and completed only one NBME CBSE self-assessment prior to my final NBME CBSE administered through my school at the end of the review term – the one that determines eligibility to register for Step 1.
The Power of Intuitive Review
Flexible Learning Approach
- I abandoned rigid study schedules
- Followed my natural learning progression to guide my content review, addressing knowledge gaps as I identified them
- I addressed topics for review as they arose from my use of practice problems
Benefits of This Approach
I noticed several improvements:
- Deeper understanding of concepts
- Better retention of information
- More efficient study sessions
- Increased confidence in weak areas
- Natural integration of related topics
Measuring Progress
Instead of focusing solely on practice test scores, I tracked my progress through:
- Understanding of complex topics
- Confidence in previously weak areas
- My ability to explain topics to others
- Speed of answering practice problems
- Pattern recognition in questions
Tips for Fellow Students
- Trust Your Learning Style
- Don’t feel pressured to follow others’ study methods exactly
- Adapt recommendations to your needs
- Monitor your progress and adjust accordingly
- Resource Management
- Choose primary resources and stick to them
- Avoid resource overload
- Focus on quality over quantity
- Content Mastery
- Prioritize understanding over practice tests – if you have the foundational knowledge, you can more effectively problem solve through a challenging practice question
- Build strong foundational knowledge
- Use practice tests to identify gaps, after dedicating sufficient time to build content knowledge
Looking Ahead
In my next post, I’ll discuss how I approached my dedicated study period after the review term, where I shifted strategies to focus more intensively on exam preparation.
Your Turn!
Are you currently in your review term? What strategies have you found most effective? Share your experiences in the comments below, or reach out with questions about my approach!
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