How to Prepare for Step 1 Before the “Dedicated Period”
Written by Neha Deo
So you’ve finally scheduled your Step 1 and you’re three months out from the exam. Do you start reviewing now? Start UWorld? Or plan out your schedule for the dedicated study period? Well, you’ve come to the right place.
Step 1 is a beast of an exam and often students decide to leave it to “dedicated” to prepare for the exam, but sometimes that’s not enough time. The sheer volume of Step 1 material can be overwhelming - and many students can find it difficult to fit so much learning in so little time. Here are some tips that could potentially optimize your Step 1 studying experience.
1. Make a list of your weakness and begin to review them.
At this point, you probably have gone through different blocks during your medical school experience. It is imperative that you begin to work on your weakness and reinforce this material so that you can master it. Using question banks can help with adjusting to the style of questions in the exam. Dedicated is often used as a period to review knowledge, not learn the material.
2. Create a study plan with goals and a weekly to-do list.
Creating goals can keep you accountable during this period. You may have weeks or weekends where you may have a little more free time, and that is an opportunity to study Step 1 material. Don’t be afraid to make adjustments as you go on. It is easy to watch the weeks go by and suddenly you’re close to dedicated.
3. Make time for your support system, and let them know what a “dedicated period” is.
The months before dedicated are an opportunity to reach out to your loved ones and spend time with them. It can be difficult to find time for everyone in your support system within the dedicated period - so take the opportunity while you can. Explaining what the dedicated period is can prevent your loved ones from feeling neglected. This can also be an opportunity to talk about what your needs may look like, whether it’d be a weekly phone call or a movie every Friday night.
4. Ask senior students about their experiences.
3rd and 4th-year students have probably finished taking Step 1 or Step 2, and have now adjusted to the style of USMLE exams. They will have pearls of wisdom based on their experiences. More importantly, they can tell you more about the test day experience and how to best prepare for an 8-hour exam.
5. Don’t forget what is important to you.
Step 1 is a rigorous journey. Find ways to appreciate the process, study hard, and remind yourself that the residency application is a holistic process.
Ultimately, the time and preparation that you put in will produce results. Remember - this test is doable, and everyone learns at their own pace. Trust in yourself and your planning. Good luck!
