Just got my STEP 1 results today and I passed! 


Here's a list of resources I used: 
- FA 2014 x5 
- Pathoma (videos only) x2
- DIT 2013 (videos only) 
- UWorld (~5000 qs) 
- Kaplan QBank (~2000 qs) 
- Kaplan videos
- UsmleRx (~1000 qs)
- NBME forms 7, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16
- UWSA 1, 2
- Picmonic 

Timeline:
- 3 months of focused studying (10 hrs/day at the library) 
- wrote exam on Aug 9, 4 weeks for results to come out 

Stuff I wish I did:
- started studying earlier!! 
- used more resources 
- more questions = better understanding
- balance better between studying and still having a life outside of studying

Stuff I wish I DIDN'T do:
- isolate myself from everyone else (I pretty much cut myself off from social life so I could focus better) 
- Kaplan physio vids (I like Conrad Fischer as much as the next person but I didn't find the lecture videos very efficient) 

My advice to those currently studying:
- take it one day at a time and try not to stress out about things you cannot control (ie. WTF questions on the exam)   
- don't rush it! If you don't feel ready to sit for the exam you can always push back the date (for a fee). Just contact the Prometric centre. It still has to be within the 3 month window period. 
- book a practice test at the Prometric centre to familiarize yourself with the testing environment

My advice for test day:
- arrive early to the Prometric centre. Check-in (photograph and finger scan) can take up to 15 minutes. 
- bring food that will keep you awake and energized. I brought energy bars and energy drinks and a lunch but I barely ate anything that day because of the adrenaline that I didn't feel hungry. 
- if you don't know the answer to the question after a minute then mark it and move on! 
- you should leave 10-15 mins to review answers (if you have trouble with time then do more timed UWorld blocks of 46)

My advice to those who already wrote their exam and is waiting anxiously for results:
- you will feel like you failed so it's normal to feel miserably depressed for a day (or a few days in my case), but try to do something that will take your mind off by surrounding yourself with family and friends and positivity!
- relax! The biggest exam of your medical career is over! 
- above all, trust in your NBME scores! 

Labels: ecfmg, med school, med student, step 1, step1, usmle

MD2 on an island.