17/04/2024
Hello everyone! I'm a final year MBBS student. I started preparing for the USMLE Step 1 during my fourth year and took the exam at the end of the fourth year. I chose to study at home for my preparation.
I decided to start my USMLE preparation at the beginning of my fourth year. I bought UWorld and practiced one block daily in timed and non-tutor mode. Since my basics were strong, I found First Aid to be quite understandable. I used to compare UWorld with First Aid, covering around 40 topics daily. This repetitive reading helped me grasp the important topics. Whenever I found a topic challenging, I would refer to YouTube or Google for clarification. My primary resources for Step 1 were First Aid and UWorld.
Initially, I was fully focused on USMLE preparation. However, as time passed, I had to manage my medical school tests as well, causing some fluctuations in my UWorld scores. Balancing both university exams and USMLE preparation was challenging. Whenever i feel my scores dropped, I revisited First Aid, which always helped me to improve.
I aimed to take the Step 1 exam within 8 months. I started by buying UWorld and planned to complete it in 3 months. I dedicated 6 hours daily to USMLE studies, completing one block in an hour, reviewing questions for two hours, and revising other topics for the remaining time. I completed my first pass of UWorld in 4 months. After that, I reset UWorld and focused on revising First Aid, covering one system per day, leading to a total of 26 systems in a month. I took NBME assessments regularly. I took UWSA 1, followed by NBMEs 18, 20, 23, 25, and 26, all showing improvement. Two weeks before the exam, I took UWSA 2, which was tough and had a low score. Despite the setbacks, I continued to study diligently, revising First Aid twice in the last 15 days.
On the exam day, I woke up at 5 AM, performed my morning prayers, and was ready. My exam lasted for 8 hours with 7 blocks. Initially, blocks were completed in 45 minutes, but later, they took 35 minutes each. I finished my exam in 7 hours and submitted my survey before leaving. I carried biscuits, chocolates, dry fruits, and a water bottle for breaks, which helped me stay energized.
After the exam, I felt confident about passing. However, as every medical student knows, the wait for results is nerve-wracking. Three weeks later, my results arrived, and I had passed! So, that closed the chapter of Step 1 for me.
In conclusion, I would like to say that if you are passionate about something, no matter how difficult it gets, you can achieve it.
All the best to everyone who is going through this journey ✨
