What is USMLE step-1? Know A to Z
WHAT IS STEP 1??
USMLE Step 1 is an exam in which the knowledge of basic sciences is tested. Every medical student (US graduates as well as international graduates like us) are required to give this exam if they plan on working as a physician/surgeon in USA. The subjects included in step 1 are:
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
To be eligible to take the USMLE Step 1, you must be in one of the following categories at the time of application and on the test day:
PERSONAL RECOMMENDATIONS :
The NBMEs are a group of SELF ASSESSMENT EXAMS which can be bought from the NBME website. Each NBME exam costs $50 or $60 each. Every NBME consists of about 200 questions in 4 blocks (50 questions per block). The purpose of these exams is to get a rough idea about the exam preparation at one specific point. So if you were to score a 240 on NBME 18, you’ll likely end up getting 235-245 on the real exam (more likely 240+). However, it must be kept in mind that they only give you a rough idea about your expected score. Also, getting a low NBME score can be improved by looking at your weaknesses and working on them before taking the exam. For step 1, NBME 15, 16, 17 and 18 are the newest NBMEs, and hence, have the highest predictive value. Every student should give at least two or three NBMEs before taking the exam. It should be taken 1-2 weeks before the exam. For Step 1, USMLE WORLD SELF-ASSESSMENT (USWSA) is not very predictive, so it’s not necessary to give USWSA. However, USWSA is a very important tool for Step 2 CK and should be used for that exam.
RECOMMENDED WEBSITES
http://www.ecfmg.org/
http://www.nbme.org/
http://www.usmle-forums.com/
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USMLE Step 1 is an exam in which the knowledge of basic sciences is tested. Every medical student (US graduates as well as international graduates like us) are required to give this exam if they plan on working as a physician/surgeon in USA. The subjects included in step 1 are:
- Physiology
- Biochemistry & Genetics
- Anatomy
- Pathology (bulk of exam questions)
- Microbiology and Immunology
- Pharmacology
- Behavior Sciences & Bio statistics.
- Interpret graphic and tabular material (This is heavily tested these days)
- Identify gross and microscopic pathologic and normal specimens
- Apply basic science knowledge to clinical problems
TEST LENGTH AND FORMAT
Step 1 has approximately 280 multiple-choice questions. This is divided into SEVEN BLOCKS OF 44 EACH and administered in one EIGHT HOUR TESTING SESSION. For Step 1, during the defined time to complete the items in each block, you may answer the items in any order, review your responses, and change answers. After you exit the block, or when time expires, you can no longer review test items or change answers. The remaining 1 HOUR IS THE BREAK TIME and you can divide it however you like. But once you are inside a block doing questions, you are NOT allowed to take a break until the block is over. If, however, you do take a break during the block time due to an unavoidable emergency, it will be recorded as ABNORMAL BEHAVIOR by the testing center (and the block time will continue on during that break, so you’ll actually be losing precious time).ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
To be eligible to take the USMLE Step 1, you must be in one of the following categories at the time of application and on the test day:
- A medical student officially enrolled in, or a graduate of, a US or Canadian medical school program leading to the MD degree that is accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME),
- A medical student officially enrolled in, or a graduate of, a US medical school leading to the DO degree that is accredited by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), or
- A medical student officially enrolled in, or a graduate of, a medical school outside the United
States and Canada and eligible for examination by the ECFMG (this group includes us, the IMGs)
- Kaplan Lecture Notes for Step 1
- Kaplan Video Lectures for Step 1
- USMLE WORLD for Step 1 (THE BEST PREP MATERIAL)
- Goljan Audio Lectures
- Goljan rapid review or Pathoma (with Video)
- A REVIEW BOOK to be used for the final revision (First Aid for step 1).
PERSONAL RECOMMENDATIONS :
- Step 1 preparation should start from 1st year MBBS itself.
- Students should read Kaplan Lecture Notes and watch the video lectures of the same topics being taught in their medical college at a specific point (to save time and for better consolidation).
- Know the CLINICAL IMPORTANCE of whatever you study. Never forget, ALL USMLE EXAMS are clinically oriented. Even subjects like anatomy and physiology will be tested on these exams in a clinical/practical fashion.
- Make SHORT NOTES of the difficult topics (esp. Biochemistry). Going through these notes during the last few days before the exam can be very productive.
- If you are still a medical student, do KQB and UWORLD before your professional exams. They will not only prepare you for the USMLEs but will also help you score higher in your professional exams.
- Give NBME as a self assessment guide, and if you score well, that’s the best time to give step1.
The NBMEs are a group of SELF ASSESSMENT EXAMS which can be bought from the NBME website. Each NBME exam costs $50 or $60 each. Every NBME consists of about 200 questions in 4 blocks (50 questions per block). The purpose of these exams is to get a rough idea about the exam preparation at one specific point. So if you were to score a 240 on NBME 18, you’ll likely end up getting 235-245 on the real exam (more likely 240+). However, it must be kept in mind that they only give you a rough idea about your expected score. Also, getting a low NBME score can be improved by looking at your weaknesses and working on them before taking the exam. For step 1, NBME 15, 16, 17 and 18 are the newest NBMEs, and hence, have the highest predictive value. Every student should give at least two or three NBMEs before taking the exam. It should be taken 1-2 weeks before the exam. For Step 1, USMLE WORLD SELF-ASSESSMENT (USWSA) is not very predictive, so it’s not necessary to give USWSA. However, USWSA is a very important tool for Step 2 CK and should be used for that exam.
RECOMMENDED WEBSITES
http://www.ecfmg.org/
http://www.nbme.org/
http://www.usmle-forums.com/
if u like this article, please comment below...
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