When prepping to study for the USMLE Step 1, you’ll probably find yourself grappling with many questions. How much do I actually need to study? How do I study without burning myself out? When do I need to start studying in order to get the best score possible?
Even though the Step 1 exam is a pass-fail exam, you must make the best use of your time as a first or second-year student and study as effectively and efficiently as possible. If you master USMLE Step 1 course topics now, you’ll start from a better foundation of knowledge when Step 2CK rolls around. And since a numeric score will still be given for Step 2CK, performance on this exam will become even more important for residency matches.
Of course, this is more difficult when you don’t even know how to begin studying. Let Picmonic be your BFF for the USMLE Step 1. Picmonic is a mnemonic study aid that can help you memorize everything you need to know to boost your USMLE Step 1 score, in a fast and fun way! With Picmonic, facts become pictures and studying becomes easier than ever. You can sign up for a free trial today!
So that answers one of your questions, but what about the rest? Read on to get the 411 on how to study for Step 1.
Steps to Take Before Creating a USMLE Step 1 Study Schedule
Realize Step 1 studying begins your first day of medical school
Most M1 or M2 students don’t realize they’ve already started studying for Step 1 a long time ago. Every course, book, and test you’ve taken so far has been prepping you for it! Since Step 1 measures your knowledge of basic science concepts and applying them to clinical medicine, studying started on your first day.
As you learn, build upon, and reinforce concepts throughout the year, keep USMLE step 1 in mind. Get ready to use every resource you’ve collected too. From lectures, notes, and study guides, they’ll be helpful for your USMLE study plan. Don’t believe it? Hear some first-hand advice from a med student on the best way to study for Step 1.
Understand the exam format
There are many parts to understanding the USMLE Step 1—timing, question types and content, and software. First, review the time you’ll need to take the exam.
USMLE Step 1 is 8 hours long and consists of seven 60-minute blocks, one 45-minute break, and a 15-minute optional tutorial. The number of questions per block varies but will not exceed 40. The exam won’t exceed 280 questions overall.
The next thing you need to cover is the exam’s content. Step 1 consists of only multiple-choice questions (items) that are designed to measure your basic scientific knowledge. There are a total of 18 major content areas. For an in-depth look into the outline, visit the USMLE’s content outline and specifications page. Last but not least, run the Step 1 interactive testing experience tutorial. This tutorial is similar to what you’ll see on test day but not exact. It allows you to familiarize yourself with the item types you will encounter as well as the exam software.
Visit USMLE.org for more need-to-know details.
Assess where you currently stand with your knowledge
Have you already taken the NBME assessment exam? If you haven’t already taken this comprehensive, timed practice exam, take one at least two months before you the clock starts ticking on your USMLE Step 1 schedule. Your NBME results will help you prepare for USMLE Step 1 studying by knowing what you need to cover to achieve your desired score.
If you scored 200 or better, you have a good knowledge base and your USMLE Step 1 preparation time should primarily focus on review and practice questions.
If you scored below that, you’re going to have to put in a significant amount of effort to relearn topics to achieve a more competitive Step 1 score or to pass easily the first time. Be realistic about your baseline of knowledge as you set up your study schedule so you improve your odds of success!
Set clear goals for the score you want
When you get your NBME results, identify your personal strengths and weaknesses and identify the topics that should receive the most focus during your USMLE Step 1 preparation time. Then determine how you study the most effectively.
Now more than ever, with most students’ learning in their own hands, goal setting and planning is of utmost importance. Goal setting is associated with higher levels of self-confidence, motivation, and achievement (Locke et all, 2006).
USMLE Study Plan Resources
Making your USMLE study plan doesn’t have to feel like a chore. Use these resources to study and prepare for the USMLE.
Picmonic
You’ve searched far and wide to find out how to study for step 1 and for how long. Well, look no further! We recommend using Picmonic to get started. Using Picmonic to study can make learning entertaining while pushing your brain to retain up to 331 percent more than just studying with USMLE Step 1 flashcards.
With audiovisual mnemonic videos and a spaced repetition algorithm, your daily study queue will automatically adjust to help you maximize retention for what you’re studying. Picmonic even has a tailored-to-you, on-the-go mobile study app with every tough concept, major category, key fact, and topic that you need to know to pass the USMLE Step 1 and be a great doctor.
Practice Exams
Practice exams are great for USMLE Step 1 preparation. They help you test yourself to see your strengths and weaknesses as well as your progress throughout your study plan. A good resource is TrueLearn’s Qbank which has 3,000+ USMLE-style practice questions and a comprehensive performance dashboard with real-time benchmarking. It can help simulate the exam environment and allow you to see how you’ll do on exam day.
Books
You don’t need too many prep books, but a go-to for every med student is First Aid for the USMLE Step 1. You don’t even need the latest edition either. It’s a comprehensive book that gives you a broad enough blueprint to get studying. Even so, any book you’ve read or used throughout med school can be helpful. Don’t be afraid to pull out any textbooks or assigned reading notes you have to review key concepts.
Anki
Anki is an intelligent flashcard program. You can use their premade flashcard decks in your USMLE study plan or explore decks by other med students. Either way, its active recall is similar to Picmonic’s. And with the Picmonic Anki add-on, you can click highlighted keywords in your browser to navigate to its associated picture mnemonic. It’s really handy for studying!
30-day USMLE Study Schedule
Let’s talk about your Step 1 preparation time! Most USMLE Step 1 test-takers suggest you should begin studying at least 3 months before the exam to get the best results, but 6 months is optimal. Alternatively, students who study internationally, had a tough time in their pre-clinical years, or who have taken extended breaks from their studies will want to start reviewing a year in advance. No matter how long or short, here’s how you should break down your studying week by week.
Week 1
Start with a practice exam to gauge your readiness. This will help you map your strengths and weaknesses to determine what you need to dedicate the most study time to. You should divide each topic in the level of importance from worst to best. If you did well on one subject, don’t worry about it quite yet.
You’ll spend this week on your weakest topic. Use Picmonic to revisit what you’re struggling with and practice your knowledge with Anki flashcards. Quiz yourself every other day, and then move to the next med topic when ready. If you don’t quite get it in this week and find it frustrating, put a pin in it and revisit later. You don’t want to get held up.
Week 2
As you move on to the next topic, make sure to use a Qbank like TrueLearn to practice USMLE-style questions. This will start preparing you for the actual exam itself as it’s important to spend time stimulating your brain rather than spending time reading dense textbooks and notes. Practice makes perfect, after all.
Week 3
Rinse and repeat! This week is one you’ll spend blending in all your study strategies. You may have found that some just aren’t working, and it’s okay to drop them and stick to your guns. Just remember to keep going strong and take breaks when it gets overwhelming. You’re right on track to mastering topics and getting ready for test day.
This week, you may want to start revisiting some topics you did pretty well on. A quick refresher with a short Picmonic or your daily-spaced repetition quiz is all you need. Don’t feel obligated to spend too much time reviewing things you already know—trust that you know it.
Week 4
It’s time to track your progress! Retake a practice exam at the beginning of the week to see how you measure up now. Pretty awesome, huh? If you’re not happy with your score, don’t get frustrated. No one likes to fail, but you still have time to turn things around.
You may find that a topic or two flew under your radar and you’ve been performing better at others. Just re-evaluate your study routine and refocus your study plan on that subject. You’ll be ready for the USMLE Step 1 in no time.
FAQs for Preparing for the USMLE Step 1
Your guide to creating a USMLE Step 1 preparation plan is here! Figure out how long to study, when to start preparing, and what your time commitment should be when creating your USMLE prep plan.
How long does it take to prepare for Step 1 USMLE?
Preparation time is often unique to each and every med student. A dedicated four-to-six weeks of study is ideal. If you struggle with a few exam topics and want to dedicate more time to diligently prepare, do it. However, make sure you implement regular breaks to prevent burnout and overall frustration. The USMLE is a long exam, so you should prepare well in advance for it.
How many hours a day should you study for USMLE Step 1?
USMLE prep time may take longer depending on your everyday schedule and other responsibilities. With a dedicated four-to-six week schedule, you can study up to 12 hours a day. If you’re not able to have a dedicated schedule, then cut down your daily study time and extend it over a longer period of time. For example, if you cut your study time to six hours a day, then extend your study schedule by an extra four weeks.
How long do med students study for Step 1?
Studying for step 1 can a three-to-four months or four-to-six weeks. How rigorous your study plan is will determine how much time you spend preparing for the USMLE overall. Although, even with a rigorous study plan, you’ll want to take breaks and quiz yourself on materials throughout. We recommend dedicating a week to every topic and testing yourself at the end of each week.
The USMLE Step 1 encompasses your last two years of medical school, so cover all your bases to make sure you pass with flying colors.
When is the best time to study for the USMLE Step 1?
The time of year you study won’t impact your study time. You can easily blend USMLE Step 1 studying with other studies throughout the school year. The time of day is a different story. If you’re a night owl, embrace it! Prefer to have a hearty breakfast and hit the books? Go for it. There are times throughout the day when you’ll be the most productive—find them. It may take some trial and error, but it will make your study time more efficient.
Can I study for USMLE in 3 months?
You can definitely study for the USMLE in 3 months. It may even take you less time if you understand your level of medical knowledge! But, it’s better to be safe than sorry. With more study time, you can build your confidence and memory recall for the lengthy eight-hour exam day.
What’s the best study schedule timeline for USMLE Step 1?
The best study schedule-timeline is one where you dedicate complete study time over a few weeks before you take the exam. Study when you can provide your undivided attention, and schedule breaks within your study days. To create a complete schedule timeline and plan to pass the USMLE Step 1, we recommend using this 3-step guide.
How much time do I really need to study for a pass/fail Step 1?
It’s a common misconception that you need way less time to study now that the USMLE Step 1 is pass or fail. The USMLE, even if it’s pass or fail, is still a challenging and extensive exam. Even if you’re a great med student, you need more than a mere week or two of study time to receive a passing score.
How many days do you need to study for Step 1?
You’ll need 30 or more days to study for the Step 1 USMLE. Don’t study every day for 30 days straight, though. Relax on the weekends, have a fun night out, or venture on three-day getaway to give your mind a rest. Balance is important, so enough sleep, the right foods, some exercise, and taking care of your overall well-being before taking the exam will aid in your overall performance.
No matter your study plan, you’re on the right track! Keep using Picmonic throughout your review and prep process, and good luck.
