My USMLE Step 1 Study Schedule
Okay, since many people have asked, I thought I’d share my Step 1 studying schedule with the world. As I’ve said a million times before, this is simply what works for me. Please don’t take my advice as the gospel. And consult your doctor for actual medical advice! Plus, I still haven’t taken the Step, so that’s yet another reason not to believe me! But I do plan on letting you all know how I actually do. Here are answers to some questions about how I studied.
What books did I use? The core of my studying revolves around First Aid, which I read front to back. But I also had copies of most of the High Yields, Board Review Series, Rapid Reviews, and The USMLE Step 1 Made Ridiculously Simple, which I used as secondary resources, but didn’t necessarily read front to back.
Which questions did I use? I used both the USMLERx and Kaplan QBank online question databases. However, I focused more on the QBank questions, as they seemed to be more difficult.
What are the NBME tests? They are the tests available for purchase off the NBME’s website. They are supposed to be the closest thing to the actual Step. (I mean, they are the ones who actually write the Step!)
What do I mean by Rapid Review? I mean very, very high yield. I will use the Rapid Review section of First Aid, and any other very high yield resources I can find.
Why did I include relaxation time before the test? Because it’s been shown to improve your scores, of course! Give your brain some time to relax and let all the info sink in before you take the test, silly!
Why didn’t I study on the weekends? I basically tried to only study Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. While that was my “goal,” it didn’t always work out that way. But again, that’s what I aimed for. I figured that I didn’t need to torture myself any more than that, and again, breaks help everything sink in.
Why only a month to study? Well, I did fairly well in my classes in med school. I feel like I have a pretty good grasp of everything, I just needed to review it all. So, I didn’t spend as much time studying as some people do. This was just a personal choice for me. I’m not sure if it was the right one. We shall see.
Okay, so the schedule is below. Here’s how it works. Let’s take the first day, for example. What I would do is read the appropriate chapter in First Aid for that day. The first day, I read the biochemistry chapter. Then I logged onto the online question databases, and checked “biochemistry” under “disciplines” and “select all” under “organ systems.” I also checked “tutor mode” under “test style” and “unused + incorrect only” under “question reuse mode.” That way, I was doing all the relevant biochem questions, and only being tested on ones that I didn’t get correct the first time. I chose “tutor mode” so that I could immediately get the correct answer, and also an explanation. My goal was to do as many questions as possible for that subject. Somtimes I did them all, and sometimes I didn’t have time for that (which is good, because it saves some for the end when I do “ALL” questions). I would guess that I averaged around 200-300 questions a day. I’d say that’s pretty good.
Okay, I think that’s it. Let me know if you have any questions! Here is the day by day breakdown:
1-May Biochemistry + Questions
2-May Behavioral + Cell Biology / Histology + Questions
5-May Anatomy / Embryology + Questions
6-May Physiology + Questions
7-May Physiology + Questions
8-May Microbiology / Immunology + Questions
9-May Microbiology / Immunology + Questions
12-May Pharmacology + Questions
13-May Pharmacology + Questions
14-May Pathology + Questions
15-May Pathology + Questions
16-May Cardiology + Respiratory + Questions
19-May Endocrine + GI + Questions
20-May Hematology/Lymphatics + Nervous + Musculoskeletal + Questions
21-May Renal + Reproductive + Questions
22-May Review ALL + Questions
23-May Review ALL + Questions
26-May NBME Exams
27-May NBME Exams
28-May Rapid Review
29-May Chill / Rapid Review
30-May Exam
My name is Kendra and I am a newly minted doctor about to begin my residency in Psychiatry at 
Shouldn’t you take an NBME at the beginning and another in the middle, in order to know where you stand so you can work on your weaknesses, if you have any?
It is funny how students in the US and Caribbeans approach the Steps in a totally different fashion IMGs and IMSs do
All the best … go show NBME who’s the boss!
Y.S.,
Actually, I took the Comprehensive Basic Science Exam, given by the NBME at my school, which is basically the same thing. I did that before studying, and I got my score, which I used as a baseline. And then I did take another one not long ago, so you are actually correct. I might actually take another one this weekend, so I know where I stand. The only problem with those tests is that they don’t have the correct answers, which kills me! Anyway, they definitely do give you an idea of how you’re doing though. Thanks for the comment!
Then it seems that you know exactly what you are doing!! GL
Good Luck chica. Go kick butt! And when you get a chance give me the dl on ICM.
thanks kendra for the post.. i guess i hv to give more time for my preparation since i have a long gap after my med school..thanks again.goodluck to u..
susan
[...] what I have done differently? I probably would have taken another week or two to study. I also would have completed all of the NBME practice exams, which I had planned on doing, [...]
thank you very much for your help .i am from srilanka .final year medical student .i planned to work in canada.i need modal questions .can help
Hi, my name is Sherley…I’m a 2nd year student in Pennsylvania. I am trying to come up with a study schedule for the boards, I really feel overwhelmed and like there’s no way I can learn all the info. I recently scheduled my exam for the 11th of May. My last day of classes is on the 31st of March, so I’ll have 5 weeks of crunch time preparation. Is it possible to study in such a short period of time and do well? Does any one have any suggestions for a schedule?
Thanks…
My name is Graeme and I am a Ross University 3rd year student. I took the step on the 23 Apr. and got my scores on 13 May. I was pleased with my scores. After my comp exam I studied for 8 weeks for the step. The principle text I used was First Aid. Know it and know it well. Also I used underground clinical vignette series by the same author of First Aid. I used them during class work also. I used BRS physiology and pathology. However I just anwered the questions at the end of each section. The ones that I got wrong I reviewed that section. I used Kaplan Q book for my questions. It has 850 board style questions. Do them timed. Also USMLE has 150 practice questions, do them timed also. A week before the exam I took an NMBE exam. I scored 1 point above my predicted score. I strongly sugest doing the same