To Someone Who Aced Step 1...

[JCMed]

I am entering September 2007. I am a UCLA Neuroscience graduate with 30 MCAT. I have no doubt that I will "make it through" Basic Sciences, but I want to prepare myself now for doing VERY WELL on Step 1 and fear that simply studying to do well in the Ross courses will not be enough to excel on Step 1. What steps can I take now to promote excellent performance on Step 1?

I have been told to hold off on purchasing books until I get to the island, is this the right first step for someone to take that has high expectations for Ross and doing well on the First Step??

I greatly appreciate any insight from a knowledgeable person that has performed well on their Steps and perhaps attained a good residency.. there is a lot of advice on this forum but I don't know if the people I'm listening to will be the ones getting kicked out of school the next semester for poor performance. Thank you!....

[MD0690]

I did well on Step 1, I did not crush it, and got into EM. My wife is a US med school grad and from seeing her lecture materials and hearing her complaints it seems to me that the basic scienes education at Ross is very similar to that at US schools. You are not getting short changed on the island as far as education just in quality of living.

My wife did even better on Step 1 and one thing she did that I wish I had done was use First Aid for Step 1 from the beginning. Think of it as the framework for what you need to know. You still need to know a bunch of little details but as you go through classes you will pick up those and can add them to the stuff in the book. Professors will be biased to teach stuff they like and leave out, or go over lightly, what they are not interested in. First Aid will give you a heads up to things you should know and you can learn them yourself while the subject matter is still fresh in your head, not 12 months later while trying to get ready for your boards.

Other than that I would not get any books before classes started. People will reccomend all sorts of things but you know how you learn best and in some cases you will want the full text and others just the BRS of High Yield. And everyone thinks they will keep and bring all of thier books home from the island and that is not the case. You will bring very few and find you open them very little once you finish with basic sciences. Besides you will be overweight and have to leave some at the airport on your way off the rock. Not kidding this happens quite often.

Best of luck

[Sideswipe]

I am not writing in response to your question about doing well on Step 1 but about the book situation.

A lot of people will recommend you not get books till you come down here. I can see their reasoning that they'd be a third the price but it was nice just having everything already bundled up and ready to go when I got here. There are a lot of things you have to do on the island when you first get here (bank, phone, housing, etc, etc). That will all take some time. To go around and try to find books also is doable but a hassle. I just found it a lot easier to have everything ready when I got there.

Think of it this way, you are here to do well, not save money on books. If the books help you to even get one question right or to do better than if you hadn't gotten them, then they're worth it in my view.

[VSR]

In the end, you can always sell your books off to some unsuspecting 1st semeste :)

its nice to have a reference text for each course i feel. Dont buy the BRS books, they are pretty crappy in my mind. And the questions in the books are too easy.

Definitely pick up hte First Aid (2006 edition is better than 2007, less mistakes).

Good Luck!

[JCMed]

I will definitely get First Aid, and work from there..

Great insight from all 3 of you. Thank you very much

[stateofequilibrium]

What MD0690 said pretty much. If you've memorized First Aid inside and out and know the details of it (First Aid is more an outline of MUST knows), then in all probablity you will pass. So while you go through school, cross-reference and annotate what you learn with First Aid.

To do WELL on Step 1, it's a combination of details+minimizing careless errors and dare I say it, luck. Anyone who has competance can score over 200. People who've studied hard will hit US average (215+), people who are on top of their game will score even higher.

[thethom]

http://www.valuemd.com/ross-universi...tml#post540931 (http://www.valuemd.com/ross-university-school-medicine/126436-how-much-time-after-5th-semester-we-given-study-step-1-a-2.html#post540931)

[Aggiemd2b]

What is the possible range on the USMLE Step 1? (0 - 300?) What is passing? Also, what does the 2nd number mean? Is that the percentile rank or another score? (ie the 260/99)

[twentyfrets]

i know the range for the first number is up to 260...

[Aggiemd2b]

i know the range for the first number is up to 260...


So thethom got a perfect score on the USMLE step 1? :shock:

[stateofequilibrium]

So thethom got a perfect score on the USMLE step 1? :shock:

260 is usually the highest where most people fall into, scores can get higher. The two digit number does not reflect percent/percentile/percentage or such. It is a hold over due to some states still requiring a two digit equivalent score. Though some people will tell good looking girls that, "I'm in the 99th baby."

[rokshana]

i know the range for the first number is up to 260...

theorectically 300 is the perfect score...the director of career guidance told us there was a person that scored a 273 ( in response to my question what was the highest score he had confirmed) and interestingly enough later on i found out WHO it was! He is an EM resident at Duke now!

[twentyfrets]

that's intense; my bad

[thethom]

Average is usually around 215 and the standard deviation is usually around 20, you can calculate what 3 digit number would be in the 99th percentile from that. A 260 is 98th percentile... a 215 would be 50th percentile...etc etc...

I read that of the 350 questions on the exam, 50 are thrown out and 25 are experimental (it might be vice versa) and so actually 275 count, and thus thats the highest score...not 100% sure though...

[Clad128]

I scored a 99/251 on Step 1. Here is how I prepared myself (but everyone is different):

- Regarding books for 1st semester, I pre-purchased them through Ross. I went way overboard with the review books and found that I ended up relying mostly on the textbooks and my notes (I attended class daily and took crazy detailed notes).

I personally did not begin using any Step 1 review books while I was in Dominica, but it definitely wouldn't hurt. If you're going to use one, pick just one, and make your own notes in the margins. First Aid for Step 1 was what I used.

As I said, I went to class every day and took very detailed notes. At night, I would read from the textbook and add to my class notes. I did not study in the library b/c hearing other students talk about exams and Step 1 and "what you need to get A's and B's" stressed me out. I found that most exam questions (for the Ross exams) came straight out of the notes I had taken in class. I did not go out and party ever, with the exceptions being after each mini. Call me lame, call me a nerd, whatever...I feel it paid off in the end.

When I got to 5th semester, that is when I really started reading through First Aid...that and studying notes from AICM lectures (which actually turned out to be some high-yield information, despite what others may say). After I finished AICM, I began my intensive studying for Step 1. I used the Kaplan home study books (the thick black ones) and Kaplan Qbank. I did not attend any Kaplan courses, go into the Kaplan center, or use the Kaplan lecture notes (I am a very detail-oriented person and feared that the lecture notes would not be inclusive enough for me).

So, to summarize...study your butt off on the island (that's what you're there for right?), try not to pay attention to what other students in your class say about exams, pay attention in AICM, and use First Aid, Kaplan books, and Kaplan Qbank. That's how I did it at least!

[liqu0rleadstocha0s]

Medical Heaven (http://www.medicalheaven.com)

free texts. most are in pdf format. some people prefer paper but if you cannot afford books, majority of the popular ones are on there. only one i couldn't find is lippincott biochem. enjoy!

[JCMed]

Thank you for the advice

[sid876]

I scored a 99/251 on Step 1. Here is how I prepared myself (but everyone is different):

- Regarding books for 1st semester, I pre-purchased them through Ross. I went way overboard with the review books and found that I ended up relying mostly on the textbooks and my notes (I attended class daily and took crazy detailed notes).

I personally did not begin using any Step 1 review books while I was in Dominica, but it definitely wouldn't hurt. If you're going to use one, pick just one, and make your own notes in the margins. First Aid for Step 1 was what I used.

As I said, I went to class every day and took very detailed notes. At night, I would read from the textbook and add to my class notes. I did not study in the library b/c hearing other students talk about exams and Step 1 and "what you need to get A's and B's" stressed me out. I found that most exam questions (for the Ross exams) came straight out of the notes I had taken in class. I did not go out and party ever, with the exceptions being after each mini. Call me lame, call me a nerd, whatever...I feel it paid off in the end.

When I got to 5th semester, that is when I really started reading through First Aid...that and studying notes from AICM lectures (which actually turned out to be some high-yield information, despite what others may say). After I finished AICM, I began my intensive studying for Step 1. I used the Kaplan home study books (the thick black ones) and Kaplan Qbank. I did not attend any Kaplan courses, go into the Kaplan center, or use the Kaplan lecture notes (I am a very detail-oriented person and feared that the lecture notes would not be inclusive enough for me).

So, to summarize...study your butt off on the island (that's what you're there for right?), try not to pay attention to what other students in your class say about exams, pay attention in AICM, and use First Aid, Kaplan books, and Kaplan Qbank. That's how I did it at least!


Hey Clad128,

You seem to be like me. I'm very detail oriented and like to study thorughouly for all my subjects. I am possibly going to go to Ross this Jan or maybe AUC. But my only concern is that I have never had any courses like Biochem, Genetics, Cell Bio, etc. The only med school related class I took as a post bac student was Human A&P ( I was a management major as an undergrad). I feel like I really should get ahead and study before I go to med school. What was your background? Did you see some of the med school classes before? Or did you just jump right into it when you arrived in Dominica and busted your ***. As far as being a nerd and all that I just laugh at that. I think its pathetic and sad that med students still care about those nonsensical highschool/undergrad stereotypes. We're suppose to be hard working professional students.

Well congrats on doing very well on the step 1 exam and in the future and I hope to follow in your footsteps.

[thethom]

First aid is not detailed enough, and BRS books can be too detailed. The Kaplan review books have nearly the exact detail that I encountered on the USMLE.

[MD0690]

Hey Clad128,

You seem to be like me. I'm very detail oriented and like to study thorughouly for all my subjects. I am possibly going to go to Ross this Jan or maybe AUC. But my only concern is that I have never had any courses like Biochem, Genetics, Cell Bio, etc. The only med school related class I took as a post bac student was Human A&P ( I was a management major as an undergrad). I feel like I really should get ahead and study before I go to med school. What was your background? Did you see some of the med school classes before? Or did you just jump right into it when you arrived in Dominica and busted your ***. As far as being a nerd and all that I just laugh at that. I think its pathetic and sad that med students still care about those nonsensical highschool/undergrad stereotypes. We're suppose to be hard working professional students.

Well congrats on doing very well on the step 1 exam and in the future and I hope to follow in your footsteps.

Sid,

I too did not have the background that most of my classmates did in the human scienes. I took a Botany tract as an undergrad. You are going to feel like the people around you are so much smarter and more prepared than you are your first couple of semesters. No worries.

Some of these people have had biochem, histology and human anatomy as recently as 2 months before they started medical school. They will crushing the exams early in medical school. I had classmates who were chiroprators and some who taught cardiac physiology at university. One chiro was a semester ahead of me and a TA for anatomy my second semester. We all thought he was the smartest person in the world, all A's his first 2 semesters. He failed some courses third and then failed some forth when we were in the same class. I don't know if he ever graduated.

The thing is the classes starting your 3rd semester are on subjects that people just can't get as undergrads or as grad students. Sure there will be a few that have but for the most part no, esp. in pathology and pharm.

Don't worry about you lack of human sciences background. It is taught like you are seeing for the first anyway.

Don't get discouraged. Med school is a marathon, not a sprint.

Greetings from the other side, PGY-1.

[Aggiemd2b]

Hey Clad128,

As far as being a nerd and all that I just laugh at that. I think its pathetic and sad that med students still care about those nonsensical highschool/undergrad stereotypes.


Ha I laugh at this too! I saw a bumper sticker today that said 'If its to loud you're to old" Oh I smiled and thought yes I am and I feel great! No more hung over mornings, no acting like I like the taste of beer, no more parties till the am hours! I'm just me and I do what I want! Maturity is really a great lesson.:-smiley7

[sid876]

Ha I laugh at this too! I saw a bumper sticker today that said 'If its to loud you're to old" Oh I smiled and thought yes I am and I feel great! No more hung over mornings, no acting like I like the taste of beer, no more parties till the am hours! I'm just me and I do what I want! Maturity is really a great lesson.:-smiley7

Absolutely, my friend.

[MD0690]

What MD0690 said pretty much. If you've memorized First Aid inside and out and know the details of it (First Aid is more an outline of MUST knows), then in all probablity you will pass. So while you go through school, cross-reference and annotate what you learn with First Aid.

To do WELL on Step 1, it's a combination of details+minimizing careless errors and dare I say it, luck. Anyone who has competance can score over 200. People who've studied hard will hit US average (215+), people who are on top of their game will score even higher.

Yes this is what you have to know.(first aid) and the part about the details/luck is true too. I did not prepare well for step 1, not as well for step 2. Got lucky with step 1 in that there were some concepts that had repeat questions that I happen to know. Step 2 I worked much harder for and eneded with about the same results. I felt like every ? on step 2 was out of left field. I scored a few points better but not proportional to the work I put in. First Aid is your skeleton and it is up to you to add the flesh. Sometimes the flesh is fat and sometimes muscle. Part hard work and part luck.

[sid876]

First aid is not detailed enough, and BRS books can be too detailed. The Kaplan review books have nearly the exact detail that I encountered on the USMLE.

I was told that for now I should not worry about the Kaplan review books. I can infer that they are review for all the subjects in basic science but in the next four months while I'm studying Biochem and Anatomy on my own is it a good idea to study those sections concurrently in your opinion? It seems that everyone says to use First Aid along with your subjects. Did you really get a 260/99 on the boards? That's amazing! Congrats!

Thanks for the boost of confidence md0690.

[rokshana]

I was told that for now I should not worry about the Kaplan review books. I can infer that they are review for all the subjects in basic science but in the next four months while I'm studying Biochem and Anatomy on my own is it a good idea to study those sections concurrently in your opinion? It seems that everyone says to use First Aid along with your subjects. Did you really get a 260/99 on the boards? That's amazing! Congrats!

Thanks for the boost of confidence md0690.

i think he meant for studying for stepI not for basics

[thethom]

LOL yeah thanks Rokshana. For basic sciences you will need textbooks and class notes. The first aid is also a review book along with the kaplan review books (kaplan lecture notes). Only use it to supplement your study of textbooks during basic sciences, and as an initial review for the USMLE. I read someone else saying first aid is the skeleton for USMLE studying, and its up to you to add the rest of the flesh. That was a good analogy whoever said that haha.

Yeah I got a 260, believe me I was so excited when i opened the envelope that I really DID literally choke on something I was drinking and almost die...lol...

[hackinmage]

***. As far as being a nerd and all that I just laugh at that. I think its pathetic and sad that med students still care about those nonsensical highschool/undergrad stereotypes. We're suppose to be hard working professional students.



??? sorry did i miss something here? i don't recall anyone bashing nerddom, we all probably acknowledge that bit. I don't really know how it is where ever you guys are from so maybe i'm going on on a limb, and i went to a relatively bright institution, but we NEVER bagged on someone for not wanting to party. To call someone lame was mroe as an urge to get them to party, peer pressure was openly acknowledged as a method to take someone out but if they backed off no less was thought of them.

In fact, we idolized those that could get the best grades, set them on a higher pedestal if we will. To be a nerd is NOT a bad thing at my old school, that detail oriented thinking should push you far though, so if you go to Ross, can i borrow your notes??? :D

[sid876]

??? sorry did i miss something here? i don't recall anyone bashing nerddom, we all probably acknowledge that bit. I don't really know how it is where ever you guys are from so maybe i'm going on on a limb, and i went to a relatively bright institution, but we NEVER bagged on someone for not wanting to party. To call someone lame was mroe as an urge to get them to party, peer pressure was openly acknowledged as a method to take someone out but if they backed off no less was thought of them.

In fact, we idolized those that could get the best grades, set them on a higher pedestal if we will. To be a nerd is NOT a bad thing at my old school, that detail oriented thinking should push you far though, so if you go to Ross, can i borrow your notes??? :D

Earlier in this post Clad128 was describing his experience with taking step 1. I was just commenting on where he said call me lame, a nerd or whatever. Those were his words and I was just giving my opinion on it. I completely agree with you Hackinmage. It's just I know that there are some students who still have those attitudes. Trust me, I use to be one of those students.

[FireFighterMD]

questions are also key . do as much as possible

[BrotherMan]

To study for step 1, I used Kaplan live prep, Q bank, first aid, and the notes for 8 weeks and ended up scoring 241/97. I also used the NBME practice tests 3 and 1 week before the exam.