Failed USMLE step 1 on first try

[2006YamahaR6]

I'm a windsor student, and I just got my scores back from taking USMLE step 1 and i failed with a 65. Its actually pretty depressing because I thought i did decently on the test, but clearly not. I was doing well on USMLE world questions and I did almost the entire set.

I'm planning on doing the entire DIT video course again and try again I suppose.... anyone have any recommendations or thoughts ?

Anything would be appreciated

[axiomofchoice]

You did "almost" the entire set!?!?! ALMOST!!! You certainly shot yourself in the foot, if not worse.

The time and money you spend on the rest of your education is essentially a gamble.

Just sad to read things like this.

[2006YamahaR6]

You did "almost" the entire set!?!?! ALMOST!!! You certainly shot yourself in the foot, if not worse.

The time and money you spend on the rest of your education is essentially a gamble.

Just sad to read things like this.

In hindsight I realize the fatal error in my ways, I just thought that since I was doing well on the uworld q's I'd do atleast an 85 -90. I was in a hurry due to a few other major life events, and I couldn't afford to pay the fee to delay the test date.

Whats done is done, im looking for advice or pointers for the road ahead, thanks in advance to any and all

[axiomofchoice]

Well, the 50 dollar fee or whatever will now turn into extra thousands you will have to spend on residency apps if you want to have any chance.

Identify what your weaknesses are. Is it lack of knowledge of material, lack of USMLE type question answering ability, lack of endurance etc. When you do Uworld questions are you reviewing the answers? Did you get a solid understanding of Goljan RR and path in general? Make sure you have a good plan for preparing for round two. Time constraints should not be a factor. Make sure you consistently score well on NBME practice exams. Buy these!

It is now essential that you score well. 220+ should be your minimum.

I hope you do well on your next attempt, but let this be a warning to all others!

[2006YamahaR6]

How would you recommend I identify my weaknesses? In the usmle report The distribution was more or less the same for most areas. Do you think I should do the entire DIT course again or just read the goljan HY path notes and do u world q's and nbme

[axiomofchoice]

It sounds like you need a lot more than DIT, which is superficial review of FA. You may have to look into Kaplan videos and take a few weeks to learn the material.

Did you take any NBME tests? Is there a particular section on Uworld you were weak on?

[2006YamahaR6]

i never did nbme as i was told by a few that uworld qs were much more similar to the actual step 1 test. what is confusing me is that from the Uworld qs I did, I took notes, and reviewed the notes and was doing pretty decently on the concepts. I didnt actually complete all of Uworld so I think that might have been an issue for me as well.

Sorry, I didnt understand what you said about kaplan - Isnt the entire kaplan video course a couple months long? are you suggesting that I pick and choose portions and do that? or that I do an accelerated version of the course and finish it in a short amount of time (a few weeks) ? (sorry just looking for clairification)

my plans are to study and take a shot at it again probably by sometime in late Jan. Would that be a better idea than starting clinicals and trying to study simultaneously? I've heard its very difficult to balance both things, but i've also heard that for people that have a hard time drawing connections between subject areas and integrating their knowledge, clinicals can help with that... and ultimately the step 1.

[axiomofchoice]

The course doesn't have to be that long. If you're planning on late Jan, that gives you 2 months. You could spend 6 weeks on Kaplan videos and in depth review of subjects, and then a final review with DIT if you like. All while doing questions of course.

You may have misunderstood your friends. The NBMEs are not for learning concepts, they are for seeing where you stand. Yes Uworld questions are more similar to Step 1 (some say they are harder), but they won't predict your score.

I think starting clinicals before passing step 1 is silly. I'm surprised your school will even let you do that.

[FishMD]

Kaplan has alot of free resources on their website such as a free diagnostic test and a free 8 hrs worth of cardio lectures.

[soniaa]

In hindsight I realize the fatal error in my ways, I just thought that since I was doing well on the uworld q's I'd do atleast an 85 -90. I was in a hurry due to a few other major life events, and I couldn't afford to pay the fee to delay the test date.

Whats done is done, im looking for advice or pointers for the road ahead, thanks in advance to any and all

I passed on my 3rd attempt, with a 75. I got prematched this year. my advice do your clinical rotations, than take steps. do step 1 - 3 apply when you ECFMG certified. I am also from windsor