Helpful USMLE STEP 1 study resources+schedule.
- Ruby Saini
- Jan 21, 2020
- 7 min read
As you guys all know, I am in medical school and am currently studying for USMLE STEP 1. Recently just passed my CBSE.
I have tried and re-tired many different resources while studying for the CBSE and I have come up with a list that has worked best for me in the past and is still working for me while I am studying for the Step 1 now.
For non-medical individuals:
The CBSE (comprehensive basic science examination) is a test done by all medical school students at the end of second year of medical school after doing the Basic Sciences part of the studies. To write the USMLE (United States medical licensing examination) STEP 1 almost all medical schools require the students to pass the CBSE. This examination is a great tool to assess the score that you might get in your STEP, +/- 8 points (the three digit score, not percentage). So to achieve their goal/dream score on the STEP, the students can choose to extend or shorten their study time accordingly based on the score they receive on the CBSE.
NOTE: I have listed resources for NEW medical students as well as SEASONED ones.
For NEW medical students:
I have used all of the following resources to strengthen my core Basic Science understanding from year 1 of medical school and onwards:
1. FIRST AID
Use this resource as a summary of notes book. While going through each class, I would add certain points that weren't in the book which I thought would be relevant (note: there will be times where you will have extra notes on things you really do not need to know. But as you go through Medical School, you will end up buying the next years First Aid for USMLE, on which you can add or remove information you have seen coming up more frequently in UWorld)
Download link for the FIRST AID FOR THE USMLE STEP 1 book below:
2. UWORLD
Get used to seeing USMLE type questions as soon as you can in your medical school journey. Yes, you have to buy a subscription, but keep an eye out for sales and bundles. If needed, keep renewing your subscription. But buy a new subscription the time of your USMLE STEP 1 preparation, as you want to be exposed to the newest questions and formats at that time.
Make sure to do all questions in a Timed and Tutored manner. Read all the explanations in detail for the right and the wrong answers under each questions. I recommend you make a Word Doc or maybe a notebook with the information you did not know before.
Buy the UWorld question bank at:
3. PATHOMA
This is the holy grail to medical pathology. I recommend you go through all the videos and its corresponding chapters in the book at least 2 times. The first time making notes as you go and reading the notes back after each video. And the second time, go through it at a 1.70x speed on VLC (or any faster speed suitable for you on any video streaming program). I have watched all the videos at least 3 times and have a binder full of notes.
Visit their website:
You can also download the FUNDAMENTALS OF PATHOLOGY 2015 edition:
4. SKETCHY MICRO
This is the only resource, plus the UWorld questions, I used to study Microbiology. I scarcely used the FIRST AID for Microbiology.
Go through all the videos at least 2 times. First time at a 1.0x speed taking notes in the SketchyMicro Workbook (link below) and the subsequent times on a faster speed (1.70x). It takes a few videos to get a hold of the pictures and visual clues, but once you get used to the idea of the videos, the questions seem much easier to answer. I have done all the videos more than 2 times. (Side note: microbiology is one of my best scores 😁)
Sketchy website:
Sketchy videos:
(There's a few free videos on YouTube you can check out before you decide to purchase it)
SketchyMicro Workbook website (I recommend using this workbook to understand and remember the important points in the videos. The pre-printed Sketchy notes you can download online, do not help you remember as much as you writing your own notes will. I highly recommend investing in this book):
5. SKETCHY PHARM
Basically same as above. Do the videos at least 2 times. Once at 1.0x speed with the Sketchy workbook (link below) and the second time on a faster speed (1.70x).
Pharmacology in the FIRST AID book was not much of a help for a lot of the UWorld questions. I realized after doing SketchyPharm, that it was a matter of remembering all the little details, which became much easier to remember with the illustrations in the videos.
SketchyPharm Workbook:
6. BECKER'S COURSE: (ESPECIALLY BIOCHEMISTRY)
This course was offered through my school at the end of the Basic Science studies. We had access to online Becker books, as well as were shipped hard copies of each subject book.
We did 15 weeks of the Becker online courses, with professors teaching us through online webinars for at least 8 hours per day on their corresponding subjects.
I wrote very good notes on each subject book and have used my Biochemistry book the most. (Side not: biochemistry is also one of my highest scoring subjects, and I thank the Becker Biochemistry book and my personal notes I took during the teaching webinars)
(Note: Kaplan just bought Becker, so if you try to go into the Becker site and get re-routed to the Kaplan, do not be alarmed. I have heard from many current students taking the Kaplan course, that it is also a really good review course.)
You can sign up for an online course or a in person course on their website (at the end of Basic Sciences, and if not already given by your school):
7. BIOSTATISTICS YOUTUBE VIDEO:
I recently was shown this 2 part Biostatistics YouTube video and it has made answering Biostatistics questions much easier for me.
I recommend you do these videos before the test to refresh your memory:
YouTube Biostatics Video PART I (side note: mistake at around time 26:20 minutes; the correct answer is D (-0.20 correlation) - see video comments)
YouTube Biostatics Video PART II:
8. OSMOSIS
I used this website to help me make a study schedule. They have videos as well as flashcards and other study resources. You can also add your own resource(s) into the schedule. It is a very well organized website. Their videos are easy to understand and short.
You can find some of their videos on YouTube at:
If you want to make a schedule and use all the other resources they offer, as well as more videos, go to:
Start with a trial and see how it goes. I bought a subscription to the website for 1 year and it helped me increase my practice test mark by >10%. So would definitely recommend using this resource.
9. USMLE Rx
This is a great resource for students who like to be taught instead of always just reading. The website offers UWorld style questions that pertain to the information provided in the FIRST AID book. It offers videos that go over each page in the FIRST AID book and provides pre-made flashcards for each section of the book, which you can use to test yourself. This is a great resource when reading and trying to finish the FIRST AID book front to back.
Website link:
For SEASONED medical students:
I now only use a few resources as I need to work on my test taking strategies while still increasing my knowledge of the common presentations, signs and symptoms presented in each question:
1. MAKE A SCHEDULE
I highly recommend making a study schedule. I use the website ASANA (asana.com). You can sign up for the free trial and make your own schedule, adding, deleting or checking off the list of tasks for each day. See below for an example of my schedule for the day (I do not schedule myself for Saturday and Sundays, so when needed I have 2 extra empty days to catch up):
Wake up/Shower/Make and eat BREAKFAST
07:30-08:30 . =UWorld block 1 questions (random, timed and tutored)
08:30-10:00 . =Review block 1
10:00-10:15 . =BREAK/SNACK TIME
10:15-11:15 . =UWorld Block 2 questions (random, timed and tutored)
11:15-12:45 . =Review block 2
12:45-13:15 . =LUNCH
13:15-16:15 . =First Aid/Pathoma
16:15-16:30 . =BREAK/SNACK TIME
16:30-18:30 . =SketchyPharm/Micro
18:30-20:00 . =Make and eat DINNER
20:00-21:00 . =Gym
Shower/Relax/Sleep
**Make sure to do NBME/UWorld self assessments every 2 weeks to track your progress.**
Feel free to use the schedule above. Schedule may vary for every individual. This works best for me.
2. UWORLD
I recommend making a Word Doc with a list of common presentations shown in questions for each particular disorder/disease. Makes it much easier to answer questions, when you know what the presentation entails.
At least 2 passes before the test. Know explanations to each right and wrong answers thoroughly.
3. FIRST AID
Use it as a summary tool. Look back and add any new details found on UWorld. At least 3 passes, front to back (highly recommended).
Download link for the FIRST AID FOR THE USMLE STEP 1 book below:
4. SKETCHY MICRO & PHARM
At least 2 passes through all the videos. One with normal speed and note taking in the workbook. The second with with a much faster but understandable video speed. Do random micro and pharm questions on UWorld when you finish a section. Know the different age groups and their most common bugs and the contraindications of each drug (I highly recommend making a list on Word Doc).
SketchyMicro Workbook website (I recommend using this workbook to understand and remember the important points in the videos. The pre-printed Sketchy notes you can download online, do not help you remember as much as you writing your own notes will):
SketchyPharm Workbook:
5. PATHOMA
At least 2 passes. One with normal speed and note taking. The second with a much faster but understandable video speed. Do random pathology questions on UWorld.
Visit their website:
You can also download the FUNDAMENTALS OF PATHOLOGY 2015 edition:
6. PERSONAL NOTES
Any notes you made for simplifying certain points during/after classes or during CBSE preparations. For example: charts, comparisons between 2 diseases (i.e. Marfan's presentation vs. Homocystinuria presentation, Phenylketonuria vs. Maple syrup urine disease), etc.
7. BIOSTATISTICS YOUTUBE VIDEO:
I recently was shown this 2 part Biostatistics YouTube video and it has made answering Biostatistics questions much easier for me.
I recommend you do these videos before the test to refresh your memory:
YouTube Biostatics Video PART I (side note: mistake at around time 26:20 minutes; the correct answer is D (-0.20 correlation) - see video comments)
YouTube Biostatics Video PART II:
__________________________________________________________________________________
Too many resources can sometimes overwhelm a study schedule and you will not be able to finish or focus as much.
Keep it as simple as possible and as informative as possible. UWorld and First Aid are the best resources and adding Sketchy and Pathoma on top of that just enhances what you would already know! Do as many questions as possible and read the explanations very thoroughly!!
I hope you found the above information helpful. A lot of these resources are not only for USMLE preparation rather they can also be used for medical school classes and/or test purposes. If you are unsure about anything above or have any questions please feel free to ask. You can message me on instagram @rubysainii and I will be more than happy to help you.
Hope this helped make your life a bit easier.
Good luck studying!💪🏼
"You do not study to pass the test. You study to prepare for the day when you are the only thing between the patient and the grave." - Mark Reid
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