I will be taking the step 1 boards this spring and am wondering if anyone knows of particularly good study aids/books. I heard that there are some Goljan DVDs--where can one get them? Also, how exactly is the USMLE scored? What is a solid number for top residencies?
2006-10-06 14:48:29 · 5 answers · asked by Jaci 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Medicine
Check this article out on Wikipedia...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USMLE_Step_1
I know Wikipedia was probably not what you were looking for, but at the bottom it has some readlly good external links, including a Blog, that has a lot of helpful information....how other people have studied, etc.
Though, here is the USMLE main website and what they have to say (good site to browse!):
http://www.usmle.org/bulletin/2005/scoring.htm
As they say, average first time takers score between 140 and 260. The mean or average score for students that end up going to accredited medical schools in the U.S. is 200 to 220.
The old joke goes something like this:
Study 2 months for step 1
Study 2 days for step 2
Take a number 2 pencil to step 3
Would be funnier if it weren't on computer, now!
In any event, I second the notion of bgr1219 regarding First Aid. Of course, everyone seems to know that.
But honestly, if you LITERALLY memorize everything in that book (a daunting task, though it is only one book!), you will do very well on the test. Seriously. If you had that book with you and and infinite amount of time, I believe you could get at least 75% of the answers and would BEAT the average score of 214.
As for the other 25% of the answers? HA! You either have to have a photographic memory or close to it...and then, you'd have to study about 10 other books in extreme detail for like 3 months. Personally, I think I would have gone insane had I done that! If you are that much of a "gunner" or you really want to go into the competitive residencies (Optho, Radiation oncology, urology, dermatology, neurological surgery) then check out the USMLE blog under the external links of the Wikipedia site above...buckle your boots, and get ready to study like you never have before...
But, seriously, you gotta think - what specialty do you want to go into?
If it is Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, Family Practice, Pathology, Physical medicine and rehabilitation, Neurology, or Psychiatry - then DON'T waste your time. RELAX. It is ALL GOOD. Study the First Aid book back and forth (and perhaps one other book in an area you are particularly weak), study around 6-8 hours a day, 5 days a week, for a good month...and you'll do fine.
That's what I did. Though, I believe almost ALL my classmates at Emory chose a schedule that was around 2 months, or more. I went on an overseas trip, though...and totally crammed for 3 weeks. People thought I was crazy. But in the end, I did fine (not stellar), and went on to study a few days for Step 2...and really did "wing-it" for Step 3 (just like the joke goes)!
I did well in clinical years, had some great letters of recommendation, and I enjoy interviewing...so, I did well with that. These things become more important than the USMLE scores. Although, most residencies (depending upon specialty), use an arbitrary USMLE number to simply weed through the multitude of applicants. But if you make that number and get an interview, then typically...the score means nothing. Then, it becomes the game of grades, letters of recommendation, personal statements, and interview skills...
I got into the specialty I wanted (Family Medicine; one of the easiest to get into) at my number 1 choice in the match...I recently graduated residency, and very recently passed my Family Medicine Boards test (I studied 2 days for this one; not a tough test to pass as a graduating resident in Family Practice...)
A good friend of mine, now in Surgery residency, studied for Step 1 like an absolute maniac for 3 months - studied everything...and smashed the exam with a mega score. He got his 3rd choice for residency, though (go figure...)....but is now very happy, and plans to finish his program and go on in Plastic Surgery...
On to actual scores...
Check out this website, which shows a distribution of the scores of all test-takers:
http://www.studentdoc.com/usmle-scores.html
As you can see,
Above 240, and you are a golden child...You WILL get interviews from nearly every residency you apply to. Simply get good marks in your clinical years, have some good letters of recommendations from some important people (or know someone important), interview well, and if you aren't a prideful jerk...and you should be able to get into just about any specialty and residency.
Above 230, and you are set for the best Internal Medicine programs in the nation, and would still likely be offered interviews at any residency in any specialty.
In Ophtho on the other hand (typically the hardest specialty to get into), the AVERAGE score for those who made it into ANY residency was 224! The average score of those who didn't match in Ophtho was a fairly strong 206. Which probably means most of these residencies have some arbitrary cutt-off, like around 220...or something. Each residency is different in how they select for interviews. Some accept a LOT of interviews, and thus make the cut-off lower. Others only want to mess with a handful of interviews, and put their cut-off high...
In any event, the overall average score on Step 1 is 214 and passing is 182.
Medical School students are very USE to being in the top 90% of their class, etc. But, hey...even if the fastest 10 runners in the world ran a race, someone would come in last...
C = MD.
...why on earth did I write all this? Ahhh...nostalgia! Thank GOD I am not in medical school anymore!!! And Thank GOD I am not in residency any more!!! Woooooo-hooooo! (Sorry...)
But, there is a light at the end of the tunnel!
I just signed a ridiculous contract to only work 24 hours a week, and I am embarrassed to speak of how much it pays. Let's just say all that hard work and studying pays off in the long run. I say this not to boast, but only as an encouragement to you. Medical school and residency literally come with lots of sweat and tears...and you will NEED encouragement along the way. I hope you have a loving and supporting family and set of friends.
So, alas...that's probably why I wrote so much - encouragement for you!!! I hope it was...
All in all, I couldn't put it any better than one of my favorite Bible verses:
"Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body." -Ecclesiastes 12:12
How true is this!!! Can I get an "Amen" from those in medicine?!
You'll do great, Jaci. No worries.
Grace and Peace,
yachadhoo
;)
2006-10-09 16:53:09 · answer #1 · answered by yachadhoo 6 · 8⤊ 0⤋
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2016-12-20 19:43:14 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Best Books For Usmle Step 1
2017-01-05 09:41:16 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get First Aid for the USMLE Step 1 and the BRS physiology book, and study them cover to cover. You will score well if you use these study guides. As far as scores, it depends on the particular residency as to what scores are competitive. However, anything above 240 is a competitive score for most residencies. Good luck on the exam!
2006-10-06 15:34:06 · answer #4 · answered by bgr1219 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are USMLE prep course through Kaplan test prep, but they aren't available everywhere, are expensive, and time consuming. People I know have had great success by starting about 5 months out from when you will take the boards and study about an hour a day from some of the many USMLE test prep books out there. Take practice USMLEs and keep a notebook of all the questions you didn't know the answer to. Keep reviewing them, taking more tests, and studying out of the prep books.
2016-03-18 05:56:52 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2017-03-09 07:21:00 · answer #6 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Last day to get the USMLERx.com qbank for Step 1 for only $129!
Code: UTGQMAX1...expires at midnight!
Please share with your classmates!!!!!
2014-08-30 09:54:24 · answer #7 · answered by sulstice07 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋