Advice on retake

[step1sucks]

I'll hopefully be retaking the exam in the end of June or early July. First time I took the exam I was 3 pts from passing and that was 6 months ago. I guess since then I've lost confidence and have been trying to build it back up. My question is: Would it be better for me to just review FA and Goljan; along with UW ?'s or review Kaplan books again. As of right now I have 28% of UW left with a cumulative of 59%. NBME 1: 370 (in March) and NBME 4: 410 (in May).

Main point: Is FA enough (info wise)?

[Dr. X]

I havent taken the test yet, but it seems like you're in a good spot. If you're only few points off from the first time, 6mths might be an overkill but im guessing you choose to murder step1 with a good score. the good news is you will most most most likely pass.

sounds like you've been on the right track this time and i hope your confidence is up again. If i was in your shoe.. i would finish up UW fast. you got about 600 questions left.. finish em up in about 4 days (150/day). Take a week to review each sections in the particular order you studied em. goljan falls in here as well. (All around review type)

Take another NBME (2 wks still left)

2 wks: Hit FA with each section (kick it into highest gear and do mad hours about 10-12/day) and when you memorize things.. try to reflect back concepts (from UW and studying) and ask "why" so many times that is so. Last few days before (2-3) days.. review your weakest even if its behavioral, pharm, and go through pictures and slides (neuroanatomy sections, FA images, goljan images). Go through FA rapid review. Do FA all over again (read the content in one day)

have you listened to audio yet? im thinking about finishing up the day from 8pm-10pm in the last month and jus to listen to 2 lectures a day. no note taking. jus laying on bed or on a sofa.. jus you and the ipod.

I realize i havent taken the test, but this is pretty much how my plan is which is derived out of many advices i got. you should definitely judge how you work best and best of luck. dont forget to give some pointers after youre done. ;)

PS: hope you'll change ur name afterwards and claim that you thought "step1sucks" at one point but no longer.

[stateofequilibrium]

FA is NOT enough info by itself, it is a good OUTLINE of what you should know. Since it's been six months, I hope you've been making good use of that time and going over much of what you could. A person rapidly forgets small details after leaving basic sciences, and small details are what the USMLE loves.