USMLE-newbie -tips for how to best prepare please! - alpina

[ArchivalUser]

Hi everybody,

I'm going to prepare myself for the step 1 test and I'm very new to this USMLE test and the concepts associated with it. I'm currently doing some research on how to best prepare myself. I hope you can help me with my questions:

1) I want to check my current level by doing a test full USMLE-test. Do you know where and how I can download such a representative and equally long test?

2) Which site would you recommend in terms of question banks, study tools etc? It seems like Kaplan and USMLE-Rx are the most popular right now, is that right?

3) What is FA? Someone here at the forum used this for me totally unknown abbreviation in the context of reviewing materials.

4) Do you have other tips for me? Recommendations?

Thank you very much! Hope you have a nice day,
Yours
A. from Sweden

[ArchivalUser]

Hi Alpina,

You can check your current level by doing an NBME form http://www.nbme.org/, or a UsmleWorld assessment form, http://www.usmleworld.com/. You have to purchase these forms.

The most popular q bank in my opinion is UsmleWorld than Kaplan. I personally use UW and i highly recommend it.

FA is Fist Aid its a review book that most everyone recommends. You should know everything in first aid since its said that 65% of the exam is contained within.

Many students use a combination of First aid, Kaplan lecture notes, UsmleWorld Q bank and Golijian Rapid Review for pathology.

Good Luck

[ArchivalUser]

Thank you very much Ayash; it was very kind of you to explain these very basic but nonetheless very relevant facts about USMLE.

I hope you good luck with your preparation,
Best Wishes