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The USMLE, which is the acronym for United States Medical Licensing Examination, is a three-part examination that must be passed by medical graduates to gain medical licensure in the United States. These exams check whether a medical graduate is capable of practising medicine there. It tests their knowledge, skills and ability to apply them in patient care.
USMLE Step 1 is the first step in the USMLE series, and it focuses on the basic sciences that form the foundation of clinical medicine. Many students make some common mistakes when it comes to preparation. Here we will go into detail about what USMLE Step 1 is all about, along with the common mistakes in preparation and their solutions.
What does USMLE Step 1 test?
As we discussed earlier, this part tests your knowledge in basic sciences. The syllabus includes topics like anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, pathology, microbiology, pharmacology, behavioural sciences and more. The exam duration is 8 hours, and it is divided into seven 60-minute blocks. Each block contains questions up to 40, and there will be a total of 280 questions.
Common mistakes to avoid during USMLE Step 1 preparation
Lack of structured study plan: Many students often start their preparation without a proper study plan. Try to make a detailed plan by arranging what topics to cover each day.
Using too many resources: As we all know well, there are a lot of resources available for the exam preparation. Using too many resources can feel like you are doing more. But it just creates confusion. Therefore, try to use trusted materials. Seek advice from mentors, colleagues, or from those who cleared the USMLE.
Delaying practice questions: Another big mistake is ignoring practice questions. Some students wait until they finish ‘studying’ to start practising question banks. But in reality, practising questions is how real learning happens.
Avoiding NBME self-assessments: Some ignore NBME self-assessments which are available on its official website. It is actually the best way to know how exam-ready you are, and it helps you identify your weak areas.
Skipping difficult topics: Subjects like biochemistry, microbiology and pathology may be tough for some students. But they appear on the exam. So, do not skip them.
Apart from all these, relying on passive reading and studying for long hours without breaks leads to burnout. So, try to use active recall methods and do not forget to take proper rest.
We hope this will help you in your preparation journey for the USMLE Step 1 exam. If you think you need extra support in preparing for the exam, we can help you with our various flexible courses led by expert mentors. We provide live interactive classes, high-quality study materials, daily study group activities, and regular mock exams through our expert-led courses to help you clear the exam in one go.
Connect with our StudyUSMLE team today to find out more.
Authored By: Sarath
By : Admin
