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(1) Take a comprehensive test to measure where your recall is right now with Kaplan’s Diagnostic Exam or Step 1 QBank. If using Qbank, take the test under timed mode so it will provide the most reliable estimate of your current readiness and knowledge level across all subjects. Kaplan offers a free Step 1 Diagnostic Exam anytime.
(2) Once you know your percent correct across each subject, use this exam performance data to decide how much of your remaining review time you should invest in each area. For example, for Step 1, if Physiology is 20% lower than Microbiology, you should be spending at least 20% MORE time reviewing Physiology than you put into Micro. But factor in the fact that the exam emphasizes Microbiology/Immunology, Pathology and Pharmacology, so don’t over invest time into Anatomy or Biochemistry. Behavioral Science and Physiology are mid-range important.
(3) If you have access to the online resources, scan the video menu to see what topics are covered in the lecture segments, and plan to view these after you have read the same topic section in the Lecture Notes. Stay focused on what is most important for you to know. Understanding concepts and mechanisms will allow you to score higher than trying to memorize lists of facts.
(4) After you review a section of material, do some questions (at least 25 items) covering what you just reviewed — to assess your level of knowledge, to locate problem topics where you still need to clarify from the Notes, and to practice your test-taking strategies, pacing, etc. If you miss several items on the same topic, remediate this by using the Notes, which will be faster than viewing again lecture segments.
(5) Use QBank to create and take two or three 46-item test blocks each composed of new items from all subjects that you have reviewed up to that point at least once a week. For example, once you finish Anatomy and Physiology, take a 46-item timed test assessing just those two areas. By the time you have covered five subjects, you need to take 3 or 4 blocks in order to have enough items hitting all five areas.
(6) By the end, you will be taking multiple 46-new item test blocks under timed mode that cover all areas. This “retrospective self-testing” helps keep the material reviewed earlier in memory, and gives you an increasingly accurate picture of your preparedness. The hours spent self-testing also increase your mental stamina and help you feel comfortable with the pacing needed on test day. Keep track of your percent correct as you take all of these tests so you can see how you are progressing.
(7) During the final week plan time to do nothing but review the highest yield and easily forgotten aspects, and take at least one long (5-7 mixed blocks) practice test with minimal (5-7 minute) breaks in between tests to build stamina. This is the final “get it all fresh in mind and intensive test-taking” phase that should lead right up to your test date. If using Kaplan’s Qbank, 70% or better is a good level to aim for. At this point, you could also go online to www.nbme.org to take one of the self-assessment tests for $50-$60 to get a predicted USMLE® score. They have proven to be rather accurate, so you would be able to walk into your exam knowing your likely score result, which is a big confidence booster!
(8) Give yourself the final afternoon and evening off before your test appointment. Studying after this point will only decrease recall of what you have studied and, as you know, you need to rest your brain and let things settle.
Good luck!