INVISTA NO SEU SUCESSO:
The Reddit community offered a range of advice and reassurance for users preparing for the USMLE Step 1 exam. Many users expressed concerns about their initial low scores on UWorld practice blocks, with responses emphasizing that such scores are common early in preparation. The focus was placed on understanding concepts rather than rote memorization. Discussions also included the use of resources such as First Aid, UWorld, and Boards and Beyond (BnB), with a consensus that First Aid and UWorld, supplemented by YouTube lectures for weak topics, are sufficient for most students.
Other topics addressed included logistical concerns, such as scheduling the exam after international travel and dealing with technical issues during the exam. Users were advised to wait a week post-travel to ensure optimal performance and reassured that technical glitches generally do not impact results. Additionally, recommendations for supplementary materials like Mehlmann's High Yield PDFs and strategies for improving specific sections, like "General Principles" on NBMEs, were shared. Overall, the community stressed the importance of consistent practice, tailored use of study resources, and maintaining confidence in one's preparation.
A user expressed concerns after scoring 35% and 45% on their first two UWorld blocks after finishing the endocrine section of their USMLE Step 1 preparation. They questioned whether these scores were normal or indicative of a lack of understanding, feeling disappointed and seeking reassurance or advice.
Respondents advised that these scores are not uncommon, especially at the beginning of the preparation process. One commenter emphasized the importance of focusing on understanding the concepts thoroughly rather than memorizing facts. Another user mentioned that scoring 45% is a decent start and encouraged the original poster to keep practicing and improving their grasp of the material.
A user inquired whether the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) notifications showed the number of attempts and pass/fail status after taking the USMLE Step 1. They were seeking advice on interpreting their recent test results.
A responder confirmed that their results only displayed the date without details on attempts or pass/fail status. Another user clarified that having one attempt indicated that they had given the exam once and suggested that the confusion might be due to previous application but not sitting for the exam.
A user from the UK asked whether First Aid and UWorld were sufficient for USMLE Step 1 preparation or if they should also use Boards and Beyond (BnB). They preferred the faster pace of going through First Aid but were willing to consider BnB if it was worth it.
The sole responder suggested that using First Aid, UWorld, and YouTube lectures for weaker topics would be more than enough for effective preparation.
A user sought opinions on Mehlmann's advice of doing NBMEs 20-25 before moving on to the newer forms, worried about the potential overlap in questions affecting the estimation accuracy.
The only response noted that Mehlmann also recommended taking the free 120 before starting with NBMEs 20-24, suggesting that the choice of practice exams should be tailored to individual preparation needs.
A user planning to travel from Istanbul to Ohio for the USMLE Step 1 and an observership asked whether they should schedule the exam a day after arriving or wait a week to adjust.
Responders highlighted the potential impacts of travel fatigue and jet lag. One suggested postponing the exam for a week to ensure better performance, while another mentioned that adequate preparation should prevent information loss, but the user should consider personal tolerance to travel stress.
A user asked for advice on improving their scores in the "General Principles" section of NBMEs and whether UWorld would be sufficient for this purpose.
Responders suggested focusing on UWorld blocks specifically for general principles and emphasized continuous practice. One responder queried about the weight of this section in the real exam, indicating that knowledge of specific subjects like pathophysiology and microbiology is crucial.
A user posted a question related to a specific diagnosis or correct answer on NBME 29.
The discussion among responders revolved around identifying the correct answer, with one explaining the reasoning behind choosing the anterior horn for a given injury, consistent with LMN manifestations, while another mentioned the lateral horns' function.
A user expressed concern about their permit status remaining unchanged after testing on 6/2 and wondered when results would be announced.
Responders shared similar experiences of the permit still being visible and speculated that results might be available the following week. One user suggested updating each other if the permit status changed before results were announced.
A user recounted encountering an error message during the first block of their USMLE Step 1 exam, leading to a computer restart and missing the survey at the end. They were concerned about how this might affect their results.
Responses included reassurances that such errors are common and generally do not affect the results. Users shared similar experiences and suggested waiting for the official results while keeping communication with NBME and Prometric for further clarification.
A user requested suggestions on which Mehlmann High Yield (HY) PDFs are essential for Step 1 preparation.
Responders recommended the "Arrows" PDF as highly beneficial, with additional mentions of the Neuro and Dermatology PDFs being useful based on individual weaknesses.
A user expressed extreme nervousness about receiving their USMLE Step 1 results the next day, citing average NBME scores and a fear of failure.
Encouraging responses included reassurance that passing scores on NBME tests are indicative of likely success on the real exam. Users shared their own experiences of anxiety and emphasized maintaining faith in their preparation.
A user felt demoralized after the USMLE Step 1 exam, having flagged many questions and being uncertain about several blocks. They sought advice on what to do next.
Responses offered empathy and similar experiences, suggesting that flagged questions do not necessarily mean incorrect answers. One user mentioned that intuition and previous study efforts often lead to correct answers even when flagged.
An average student with a strong foundation asked if three months of dedicated study would be enough to prepare for the USMLE Step 1.
A responder advised completing four blocks of UWorld per day, which would allow the user to finish their preparation within three weeks, assuming full-time study.
A user sought advice on which NBME form to use for an initial self-assessment, having just begun their dedicated study period with Step 1 scheduled in two months.
The response suggested starting with forms 26, 29, or 27, based on their perceived difficulty levels, and provided a recommended order for taking the forms.
A poll was conducted to compare the difficulty of the USMLE Step 1 exam with Bootcamp, UWorld, and NBMEs.
A commenter found the free 120 to be the most accurate representation of the exam's difficulty, differing from other options in the poll.
A user debated whether to continue using free ChatGPT for medical questions while studying for Step 1 or to subscribe to the AMBOSS medical library, citing high recommendations from doctors.
Responses highlighted the potential issues with AI reliability and recommended AMBOSS for its accuracy and integration with medical education. One user pointed out that AMBOSS has a plugin with ChatGPT for better reliability.
A user requested a link to find the new Free 120 practice questions for USMLE Step 1 preparation.
A helpful response provided the link to the orientation page where the Free 120 can be accessed, while others emphasized the importance of practicing with both new and old Free 120 questions if time permits.
A user listed their recent practice scores from UWSA-2, NBME form 31, and the new Free 120, questioning if they should proceed with their scheduled exam.
The response suggested that the user is likely ready but recommended taking another NBME and scoring above 65% to confirm readiness.
A user detailed their NBME practice scores and expressed concern over inconsistent results, questioning their readiness for an upcoming test.
The advice given was to take the Free 120, and if scoring above 65%, they should proceed with the exam as planned.
A user shared their mixed feelings after taking Step 1, feeling the exam was doable but regretting not having more time to prepare due to personal circumstances.
Responses were supportive, encouraging the user to rest and have faith in their performance, while also emphasizing the importance of basic concepts, ethics, and pathology in the exam.
A user nearing their Step 1 exam was feeling stressed by reading posts about the exam's difficulty and sought advice on managing anxiety and focusing on study topics.
Responses emphasized focusing on high-yield topics, weak subjects, and trusting their practice test scores. Practical tips included taking Free 120 with proper timing to simulate real exam conditions.
A user felt demotivated after scoring lower on NBME 31 compared to previous tests and sought advice on how to proceed before rescheduling their exam.
The recommendation was to delay the exam by a week or two, review weak areas, and take the new Free 120 closer to the new exam date to regain confidence.
A user questioned the predictive value of UWSA scores for the USMLE Step 1 and whether to delay their exam based on recent practice results.
Responders suggested focusing on NBME and Free 120 scores as more representative of the actual exam, indicating that the user’s scores suggest they are likely ready.
A user sought clarification on whether a physician fluent in Spanish must still use a professional interpreter for a Spanish-only patient.
Responses confirmed that if the physician is conversationally fluent in Spanish and medically knowledgeable, an interpreter is not required according to First Aid guidelines.
A user vented about the difficulty of the Step 1 exam, feeling it was significantly harder than NBMEs and the Free 120, with many flagged questions and complex scenarios.
Numerous responses echoed similar experiences, highlighting the variance in exam difficulty and the challenge of low-yield topics. Users advised focusing on high-yield materials and practicing time management.
A user listed their self-assessment scores from UWSA and various NBME forms, seeking validation that their results were within normal range and sufficient preparation for the exam in 20 days.
A response reassured the user that their scores were good, advising continued revision and confidence in their preparation.
A DO student compared the STEP and COMLEX exams, finding STEP significantly clearer and easier to understand in terms of question writing.
Another DO who took both exams agreed, finding the STEP more straightforward. They noted that while STEP is still challenging, the clarity in questions was a major difference.
A user expressed intense fear about the upcoming Step 1 exam, having postponed it multiple times and shared their practice scores, seeking reassurance.
Encouraging responses included motivational messages and reassurances that their practice scores indicated they were on track to pass, suggesting confidence and continued effort.
A user felt they might fail Step 1 due to poor performance in neuro and sought advice on high-yield study strategies with limited time left.
Responders suggested focusing on neuroanatomy using Mehlman’s resources, creating concept maps, and maintaining confidence. Practical study strategies included reviewing peripheral/spinal neuro pathways and the rule of 4s.
A user recounted their challenging experience with the Step 1 exam, feeling overwhelmed by complex scenarios and numerous flagged questions, and sought camaraderie.
Numerous users shared similar experiences, expressing difficulty with the exam’s low-yield questions and tricky wording. Advice included reviewing Mehlman’s arrows, high-yield NBME images, and trusting practice scores.
A user asked about the relevance of knowing hydrophobic and hydrophilic amino acids for Step 1 and whether to focus on Mehlman’s biochemistry PDFs.
Responders mentioned encountering such questions in practice and advised that while not central, having a basic understanding of these concepts could be beneficial.
A user wondered how to balance doing practice questions with content review, especially when many questions were missed due to unfamiliarity with the topics.
Advice highlighted the need for a strong foundational understanding. Users recommended an approach combining practice questions with in-depth review of weak areas, using resources like BNB and HY flashcards.
A user shared a detailed and emotional journey of failing Step 1 three times, dealing with personal hardships, and their determination to continue.
Supportive responses highlighted the user’s resilience and determination, with shared experiences of overcoming similar struggles. Encouragement and practical advice focused on professional help for mental health and targeted study strategies.
A user expressed intense fear about opening their Step 1 score report and wondered if their school would eventually find out.
Responses reassured the user to face their fear, suggesting having someone else open the report if necessary. They emphasized that knowing the result is better than prolonging anxiety and that the school would eventually receive the report.
A first-year medical student asked for advice on preparing for a practice CBSE in six weeks and achieving a 41%.
Advice included creating a study schedule, practicing consistently, and using targeted resources to build a strong foundation. Personal experiences were shared to motivate and provide practical tips.
A user celebrated scoring 90% on a randomly timed UWorld block, feeling triumphant.
Responses congratulated the user and emphasized the importance of recognizing small victories on the journey to Step 1.
A user asked whether to switch from system-wise to random timed UWorld blocks to better simulate actual exam conditions.
The advice suggested starting with system-wise blocks to build a strong understanding and then switching to random timed blocks closer to the exam for better preparation.
A user scoring 60% on NBME 29 asked for advice on improving in the two weeks before their exam.
Suggestions included focusing on weak areas identified in the score report, intensive review of high-yield topics, and consistent practice to boost confidence and performance.
A user with three weeks left before Step 1 sought advice on managing anxiety and focusing their studies.
Responses emphasized focusing on high-yield areas, using resources like DirtyMedicine for ethics, and maintaining a structured study schedule to alleviate anxiety and ensure comprehensive preparation.
An IMG worried about an incomplete Step 1 attempt due to a medical emergency and its impact on residency applications.
Responders reassured that it is better than a fail, and as long as the situation is explained in the application, it should not be a significant red flag. They advised consulting residency program directors for additional perspectives.