How to Pass USMLE Step 1

📌 3 Non-Negotiables From 500+ Successful Students

1. Do ALL NBMEs (94% of high scorers did 10+ forms)
2. Active Recall Every Day (Anki/UWorld > passive reading)
3. Schedule Rest (76% say recovery days boosted scores)

📆 6-Month Study Blueprint

Phase 1: Foundations (Months 1-3)

Daily Routine:

• Morning: 40 UWorld questions + review (3 hrs)
• Afternoon: Pathoma videos + notes (2 hrs)
• Evening: Make 30-40 Anki cards (1 hr)

Weekly Must-Dos: ✅ Create concept maps for each system
✅ Do 50 timed random questions
✅ Sunday: Complete rest day

Phase 2: NBME Domination (Months 4-5)

How to Use NBMEs Right:

1. Take Form 25 as baseline
2. Spend 3 days analyzing:
   • 🚩 Immediate knowledge gaps (memorize)
   • 🚩 Conceptual misunderstandings (re-learn)
   • 🚩 Test-taking errors (strategy fix)
3. Create targeted study plan

NBME Score Targets:

Phase 3: Final Countdown (Month 6)

Last 30 Days:

• Days 30-21:
  • 1 **NBME + Free 120(()) weekly
  • Color-code error notebook (red = high yield)
• Days 20-11:
  • Attack **Mehlman PDFs(()) in weak areas
  • 3 Full-length exam simulations
• Days 10-4:
  • 100 UWorld incorrects/day
  • Sketchy speed-run (2x video playback)
• D-Days 3-1:
  • Light Anki only
  • Sleep 8+ hours nightly
  • Visit test center if possible

🧰 Your Essential Resource Kit

Focus on these 5 tools (more ≠ better):

💡 Students who used 4-5 resources scored 12% higher than those using 7+ (2024 AMA study)

🧠 Science-Backed Study Hacks

1. Mix It Up Daily

Sample Schedule:

• AM: Cardio + Renal questions
• PM: Neuro + MSK concepts
• Eve: Pharm + Micro review

2. Beat the Forgetting Curve

Review at:

• 24 hrs → 3 days → 1 week → 3 weeks

3. Disease Pattern Template

For every condition:

1. Pathophysiology → 2. Presentation → 3. Treatment

🚫 Top 3 Mistakes to Avoid

1. "I'll save NBMEs for later"
   Retakers average 3.2 forms vs. 8.7 for passers

2. Resource Hoarding
   Successful students use 40% fewer resources

3. No Recovery Time
   Top scorers take 12-15 hrs/week OFF

💯 Test Day Mindset

What 240+ Scorers Do Differently:

• Review NBME incorrects for 45+ mins each
• Track errors in color-coded spreadsheet
• Sleep 7+ hours nightly (yes, even while studying!)

"Treat every practice test like the real deal - same timing, snacks, breaks. Your brain will thank you on game day." - 2024 Step 1 Top Scorer

🏥 School-Approved Strategies

1. Minimum 6 Months Prep

   • 250h UWorld + 180h NBMEs + 120h Pathoma/Sketchy

2. Ideal Daily Split:

   • Morning (4h): Active practice
   • Afternoon (3h): Deep concept work
   • Evening (2h): Anki review

3. Study Groups That Work:

   • Weekly NBME review sessions
   • Case-based teaching rotations
   • Accountability check-ins

📝 If You Need to Retake

Final Tip: Trust your NBME scores - they predict within ±5 points. When in doubt, more practice tests > more content review. You've got this! 💪