How to Prepare for the USMLE Step 1
Learn how to effectively prepare for the USMLE Step 1 with useful advice and proven strategies.
Gaining acceptance into medical school marks a significant achievement, but it is still very early in your journey towards becoming a doctor. As you progress, you’ll encounter numerous milestones that will challenge your knowledge and skills. Among these, the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) series of exams stand out as pivotal checkpoints that you must clear to progress through your medical education and obtain your license to practice. This exam is divided into three parts, with the first two occurring before you even apply for a post-medical school residency. Performing well on each USMLE step exam is very important because your results greatly influence your ability to successfully progress from Basic Sciences to Clinical Medicine (in medical school), and then secure a residency after graduation. Given the weight of these assessments, thorough preparation is essential in order to ensure you perform well.
Keep reading to explore effective strategies for studying and preparing for the USMLE Step 1, which will help ensure you achieve success throughout your medical career journey..
What is the USMLE Step 1?
The USMLE Step 1 evaluates a medical student’s understanding of the principles and mechanisms underlying health, disease and modes of therapy, as well as their ability to synthesize and apply important concepts to the practice of medicine. The examination spans eight hours, divided into one break and seven 60-minute testing blocks that contain approximately 40 questions each, for an approximate total of 280 questions. The content predominantly reflects subjects covered during the initial two years of medical school (the Basic Sciences portion). Step 1 is graded on a pass/fail basis.
How to Study for the USMLE Step 1
Here are some tips to help you study for your USMLE Step 1 exam:
Get advice from faculty
Consistently engage with your medical school faculty members to gain insights into the content likely to be featured on your USMLE Step 1 exam, especially for content that you do not fully understand or feel comfortable with. Given their experience, they have likely encountered previous exam formats and can offer guidance on the topics with higher probabilities of appearing. Additionally, they can provide direction on prioritizing essential information within their respective fields and discerning what may be less critical for your study focus.
Study test materials
One of the most beneficial ways to prepare for your USMLE is to test yourself with practice exam papers. The National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) offers a range of USMLE Step 1 practice exams. These practice exams serve multiple purposes: they familiarize you with the exam’s structure, providing insight into what to expect; they simulate the real exam experience; and they help identify any knowledge gaps, guiding your focus for further study. It’s worth noting, however, that these resources may not comprehensively cover all exam sections, as new topics are regularly introduced each year.
Avoid only studying the last exam papers
The content of the USMLE exam evolves annually, meaning that relying solely on studying previous year’s exam papers and expecting similarities with your own is not advisable. However, this remains a useful study tactic when integrated into a more broadly comprehensive study plan.
Learn basic terms and definitions
Building your core vocabulary is essential to being a medical student and preparing you for your USMLE. By learning basic terms and definitions, you’ll be able to understand the content you are tested on, even if it’s simply memorization and recognition for your USMLE Step 1.
Learn central concepts
A significant portion of your study efforts should be directed towards mastering the core concepts within each of the seven subject areas. This entails comprehensively understanding the meaning of these concepts, their applications and establishing connections with related concepts.
Use resources that match your style of learning
As you begin preparing for your USMLE Step 1, you’ll likely come across recommendations for numerous books, resources and study schedules. However, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all USMLE study method that works for every medical student. Given your individual learning style, it’s essential to discover the approach that best facilitates your absorption of new information. For example, some students excel through independent study, while others thrive in peer study groups for effective exam preparation.
Stay on track academically
Since the USMLE Step 1 draws heavily from the content covered in the initial two years of medical school, your academic achievements serve as a reliable gauge of your comprehension. Monitor your grades and classroom performance closely. If you encounter challenges with any topics or concepts that negatively impact your academic results, it’s imperative to address these gaps well in advance of your USMLE Step 1 testing date.
Start studying early
Taking the USMLE Step 1 typically occurs towards the end of the second year of medical school. However, it’s best to start preparing early due to the substantial time investment required for effective study. This exam demands thorough understanding of extensive information and the ability to apply this knowledge, making last-minute cramming ineffective.
USMLE Study Tips
As you prepare for your USMLE Step 1, remember that with each subject area, you must be able to identify concepts, recognize their importance and apply them in given situations. Here are five additional study tips to help you prepare for your first USMLE exam:
- Maintain organization: Establish a practical study schedule that you can adhere to consistently. Ensure balanced coverage across all areas without dwelling excessively on one topic or neglecting any. Remember to incorporate regular breaks into your schedule.
- Pinpoint weak areas: Utilize practice tests, past exam papers and performance feedback to pinpoint your weakest areas. Tailor your study plan to focus on these topics for improvement.
- Focus on integration: Given the USMLE Step 1’s emphasis on integrating Basic Sciences topics, consider studying related subjects together or by organ system to foster a deeper understanding of their interconnectedness.
- Optimize study sessions: Keep study sessions brief, aiming for 60 to 90 minutes each with a 10-minute break in between. Prolonged study periods can diminish concentration, so shorter, focused sessions are more effective.
- Streamline information sources: Select one primary review text for each subject area to serve as your main resource. Additional books can be used selectively for clarification or reinforcement.
Saba University School of Medicine’s Approach toStep 1
At Saba University School of Medicine, we are committed to helping our students achieve success on the USMLE. Step 1 preparation is built into the MD program curriculum and emphasized throughout your time in Basic Sciences. Our knowledgeable faculty consistently deliver individualized support to help ensure you are comfortable with essential concepts and progressing effectively through your classes. We also offer a variety of impactful Student Support Services to help you develop study techniques and strategies that will help you succeed in medical school examinations and the USMLE tests.
Thanks to these efforts and their own dedication, we’re proud to share that our students boast a 99% USMLE Step 1 first-time pass rate (2021-2023)!*
As so much depends on your USMLE performance, it’s understandable if you feel apprehensive as your USMLE Step 1 approaches. Trust that Saba and our dedicated faculty will support you through the entire process and help you achieve your goals.
Get in touch with us to learn more about our programs or how you can apply to kick-start a rewarding career in medicine. You can also check out our events and webinars for more information about studying with us.
1 Based on 2021-2023 data. First-time pass rate defined as total number of students passing the USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK on their first attempt divided by the total number of students taking USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK for the first time during the calendar years 2021 to 2023.