USMLE Step 1 Study Tips

Nathan Houchens, UI-Chicago, Class of 2007

I started studying for Step 1 earnestly in March of my M2 year (the exam was in June). I, like most other sources that will attempt to give you advice, will repeat the old adage: Do what works for you. Some prefer doing practice questions from QBank. I took a different approach.

Interestingly, I decided not to use any practice questions whatsoever. There were many reasons why I chose this (financial constraints, different learning style, etc.). Instead, I used the 1 or 2 best sources for each subject and made notes in my main guides. I used First Aid for the USMLE Step 1 as my main source of information, but because I knew it was not in-depth enough, I supplemented it with several other books. The following is a list of materials I used when preparing for the test (in rough order of importance from most to least):

Main Guides: First Aid for the USMLE Step 1, BRS Pathology, Goljan audio lectures

Pathology: BRS Pathology

Physiology: BRS Physiology

Pharmacology: Lippincott's + Kaplan Organ System books

Microbiology: Clinical Microbiology Made Ridiculously Simple + Kaplan Organ System books

Biochemistry: Lippincott's + homemade poster**

Behavioral Science: High Yield Behavioral Science

Anatomy: BRS Anatomy (probably overkill) + High Yield Anatomy

Neuroanatomy: High Yield Neuroanatomy

Histology: High Yield Histology

Embryology: High Yield Embryology

Supplemental Guide: Kaplan Organ System books*

* Note: If I had to do it over again, I would NOT order the expensive Kaplan Organ System books. My experience with them was not particularly good, as I found them incredibly dry and FULL of errors.

** Note: I was a biochemistry major in undergrad, so I may have somewhat more enthusiasm for this subject than others. I chose to create a large poster-sized version of Nebeker's biochemistry map. This served as an all-encompassing resource of the various metabolic pathways. I also placed notes on key reactions and enzymes as well as clinical correlations directly on the poster (e.g. G6PD deficiency). This method, although quite time-consuming, really helped to solidify all of biochemistry into one framework. Only for the motivated, I suppose.

Keys to my strategy:

First Aid is a must (read several times)

BRS Pathology is a must (most important subject on the test, by far)

I listened to all pathology audio lectures by Goljan and wrote notes of what I did not know in the margins of BRS Pathology (this was instrumental, as Goljan goes over most other important topics in addition to focusing on pathology; especially good if you have long commutes!)

BRS Physiology is a must (concise review of fundamental physiological principles)

Biochemistry poster consolidated the entire subject for me

Pharmacology and Microbiology should be emphasized (for me, they required more time because of memorization)