07-12-2011, 02:06 PM
I just came across this -- thought of sharing it with the forum.
A – Assess each question thoroughly before answering, as there are distracting answer options among the multiple choices.
B – Basic science, despite the “clinical vignette” style of each question, is still the focus and mainstay of the USMLE Step 1.
C – Comprehensive review sources (like Step-Up and Step-Up to the Bedside) provide an excellent way to bookend your studying, and are also useful for your coursework during the first two years of medical school.
D – Distracting answers are common on the USMLE. There is only one correct answer. However, almost every question has at least one other answer that could be correct if the question was altered. Be careful.
E – Exercise and take time for yourself while preparing for your USMLE Step 1. Even though it is imperative to stay on schedule while studying, part of your schedule should include time for yourself.
F – Feedback during mock tests and from annotated answers can provide some information as to your performance; however, no resource mimics the USMLE Step 1 completely.
G – Get a good night’s sleep prior to the examination.
H – Holidays (particularly those around New Year’s or during the Winter Break) are a good time to get organized and create a study schedule.
I – Images on the examination are often not of high quality, but they will be pathognomonic and will only portray the most typical feature of the clinical scenario being tested.
J – Justify each answer with facts from the body of the vignette rather than guessing wildly. Usually, three of the five answer options can be eliminated without significant difficulty.
K – Keeping good notes in a comprehensive review book will make studying and reviewing material easier and also improve recall.
L – Listen to the advice of those from your medical school who have taken the exam, as they are the most useful resource in terms of planning and emphasizing your studying.
M – Manage your time during the examination. There are seven 60-minute blocks with 50 questions each.
N – Nervousness is a natural emotion prior to the examination.
O – Obvious answers may not always be right. Read and re-read the question prior to choosing an answer.
P– Pay attention during the first two years of medical school. It will be difficult to learn new material the last few weeks prior to the USMLE.
Q – Questions. Questions. Questions. While no resource directly and adequately replicates the style and design of the NBME questions on the USMLE Step 1, doing practice questions can help convey knowledge and “get you in the mode” of answering questions.
R – Review resources that you are familiar with or have used over the course of medical school to prepare for the USMLE. Using brand new resources or review books right before the USMLE can cause more confusion and take more time.
S – Stay on schedule. Once you prepare a board review schedule, particularly for “crunch time” right before the USMLE Step 1, stick to it. Make sure your schedule is realistic and that you cover all of the subject areas (either systems-based or subject-based).
T – Time yourself during a simulated examination.
U – Understand the material rather than memorizing it.
V – Vignettes are the format in which the questions are asked. While they have a clinical spin, the root of the question within the vignette is still basic science.
W – Wrap up your block of studying with a comprehensive board review book (e.g., Step-Up).
X – X-rays, color plates and graphs will be additional information presented on the examination to answer questions. Often, the question can be answered without the image, and the image can be used to confirm your answer selection or eliminate other incorrect answers.
Y – Years later, the USMLE Step 1 can play a role in obtaining interviews for residency, so try and do the best that you can.
Z – Zero in on key concepts.
A – Assess each question thoroughly before answering, as there are distracting answer options among the multiple choices.
B – Basic science, despite the “clinical vignette” style of each question, is still the focus and mainstay of the USMLE Step 1.
C – Comprehensive review sources (like Step-Up and Step-Up to the Bedside) provide an excellent way to bookend your studying, and are also useful for your coursework during the first two years of medical school.
D – Distracting answers are common on the USMLE. There is only one correct answer. However, almost every question has at least one other answer that could be correct if the question was altered. Be careful.
E – Exercise and take time for yourself while preparing for your USMLE Step 1. Even though it is imperative to stay on schedule while studying, part of your schedule should include time for yourself.
F – Feedback during mock tests and from annotated answers can provide some information as to your performance; however, no resource mimics the USMLE Step 1 completely.
G – Get a good night’s sleep prior to the examination.
H – Holidays (particularly those around New Year’s or during the Winter Break) are a good time to get organized and create a study schedule.
I – Images on the examination are often not of high quality, but they will be pathognomonic and will only portray the most typical feature of the clinical scenario being tested.
J – Justify each answer with facts from the body of the vignette rather than guessing wildly. Usually, three of the five answer options can be eliminated without significant difficulty.
K – Keeping good notes in a comprehensive review book will make studying and reviewing material easier and also improve recall.
L – Listen to the advice of those from your medical school who have taken the exam, as they are the most useful resource in terms of planning and emphasizing your studying.
M – Manage your time during the examination. There are seven 60-minute blocks with 50 questions each.
N – Nervousness is a natural emotion prior to the examination.
O – Obvious answers may not always be right. Read and re-read the question prior to choosing an answer.
P– Pay attention during the first two years of medical school. It will be difficult to learn new material the last few weeks prior to the USMLE.
Q – Questions. Questions. Questions. While no resource directly and adequately replicates the style and design of the NBME questions on the USMLE Step 1, doing practice questions can help convey knowledge and “get you in the mode” of answering questions.
R – Review resources that you are familiar with or have used over the course of medical school to prepare for the USMLE. Using brand new resources or review books right before the USMLE can cause more confusion and take more time.
S – Stay on schedule. Once you prepare a board review schedule, particularly for “crunch time” right before the USMLE Step 1, stick to it. Make sure your schedule is realistic and that you cover all of the subject areas (either systems-based or subject-based).
T – Time yourself during a simulated examination.
U – Understand the material rather than memorizing it.
V – Vignettes are the format in which the questions are asked. While they have a clinical spin, the root of the question within the vignette is still basic science.
W – Wrap up your block of studying with a comprehensive board review book (e.g., Step-Up).
X – X-rays, color plates and graphs will be additional information presented on the examination to answer questions. Often, the question can be answered without the image, and the image can be used to confirm your answer selection or eliminate other incorrect answers.
Y – Years later, the USMLE Step 1 can play a role in obtaining interviews for residency, so try and do the best that you can.
Z – Zero in on key concepts.