Thread: USMLE Study Plans

Here are some study plans for USMLE Step 1 that I've found while reading board experience threads and such. Will be studying for the step next year but I always try to find something interesting for myself and others.

Will try to update this as frequently as I find new board plans and book lists.

If anyone has their own book lists, board experiences or board plans, please don't hesitate to upload.

Board Plans/Experiences
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Code:

http://rapidshare.com/files/63846082/boards_plan_edited_6-19.doc
http://rapidshare.com/files/63846073/USMLE_Study_Plan.doc
http://rapidshare.com/files/63846088/Final_Crunch.doc
http://rapidshare.com/files/63847938/Step_1_259-99.doc
http://rapidshare.com/files/63851373/HMS_study_experience___booklist.doc
http://rapidshare.com/files/63853255/Big_franks_exam_experience.doc
http://rapidshare.com/files/63973060/Captain_wada_experience.doc
http://rapidshare.com/files/63973071/gebbils_experience.doc
http://rapidshare.com/files/63973089/Marcus_Experience.doc
http://rapidshare.com/files/64091402/How_to_study_USMLE_Step_1-_42_days.pdf
http://rapidshare.com/files/64091915/Step_1_Study_Plan.DOC
http://rapidshare.com/files/64092776/Step1-Foreign_Grad_Guide.ppt
http://rapidshare.com/files/76369911/missmod_board_experience.doc
http://rapidshare.com/files/76369916/Dragon2007_BE.doc
http://rapidshare.com/files/76369918/fakin__the_funk.doc
http://rapidshare.com/files/76369927/xanthines_BE.doc
http://rapidshare.com/files/76369932/doctoria_BE.doc
http://rapidshare.com/files/76369937/drash_BE.doc
http://rapidshare.com/files/76369944/Step_1_259-99._Long_Dong.doc
http://rapidshare.com/files/76369952/USMLE_Study_Plan.doc
http://rapidshare.com/files/93902887/usmle-guide_by_RumorswereTrue.pdf

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Book Lists
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Code:

http://rapidshare.com/files/63848976/Automaton_s_Booklist___reviews.doc
http://rapidshare.com/files/63850115/HYJunkie-Booklist_and_reviews.doc
http://rapidshare.com/files/63854326/Flintstone_s_booklist.doc
http://rapidshare.com/files/63858263/book_lists_n_reviews.doc

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This is also another great book on this forum:
Ultimate Student Guide to USMLE Step 1

special thanks for the posts
from: binita

Rapidshare is a complete pain when it comes to downloading many files. Would it be possible to put all those individual study plans into one file and upload?

best plan is to know boooks one by one and not to spread on ever

thanks for urg8 advice

For a recent string of posts, I conclude that the reason so many smart med students fail the Step 1 is because mainly their study "technique" is ineffective and wrong. Most students HAVE the right ingredients: Brains, Effort, Materials, etc. However, many are studying incorrectly. So many have, Dr. Goljan's Notes, Kaplan, First Aid, etc., but they are reading the material like a magazine or a mystery novel. NO! You must attack each concept. Many just report that they "memorize questions". That may have worked wonders in high school and college and even medical school since many teachers repeated questions almost word for word on tests. But the NBME is very powerful. They charge literally an arm and leg for the test so they have so much money to ask people (professors and doctors) to write an "ENDLESS STREAM" of questions so students do not have any "short cuts".

You cannot just read these High Yield Concepts like a newspaper like the New York Times. You must attack them and dissect them…make up flash cards, make certain guesses BEFORE looking at the answer, quiz friends with them, make up a “board game” with them, etc.

But that is why this message board is so key. We can ask each other for their exam experiences, and then make up legal questions/concepts to help others.

However, know that you need that key ingredient of time and money to give yourself adequate preparation. You need a solid window of studytime to pass.

If you do not have it, ask for it and beg your family and friends for it. Live with a friend/family in their basement to save money and buy time to study uninterrupted w/ total concentration.

If you cannot find time and money to study, it may be a waste of time and cost you your mental health. Please ask others to pray for you. However, know that you are not alone and many of the students I knew who finally reported passing did so even after more than ten attempts at the USMLE Step 1. Seriously, I called the NBME to verify it! OVER 10 ATTEMPTS! If they could have the dedication and finally passed, they achieved a dream even if they don't even go on to practice medicine! Abandon your dreams of doctoring only after all life support measures are taken.

I think of it if I am caring for an ICU baby. I won't give up my efforts at saving his or her life until there is no heartbeat for an hour or more!

courtesy; DAVE

great advice Spartann. I find myself just reading stuff, and I need to working on memorizing and tackeling material better. I mean its easy to just read, but then really knowing it takes time and patience.

Updated another experience by "rumorsweretrue", a great experience post and also has a great blog.

Great post spartan. I completely agree that almost everyone in medical school has the brains and the drive to succeed. I found that when I was first in medical school I would read the material like a magazine, or think that going to class was enough to succeed. It had been my whole life, but did not work at all in medical school. I find that when I go through the material it is helpful for me to read through multiple times. The first time is pretty quick, highlighting important concepts. The second time I completely focus on each concept. I also try to think of good test questions that I would write if I were a test writer.

I do think that questions are an invaluable resource not for memorizing the questions, but to test what you know and to try to think more like a test writer.

THank man for the advice. People don't plan to fail, but rather fail to plan.