Tips to ace your USMLE The U.S. Medical Licensing Examination Step 1 (USMLE) or “The Boards,” as the exam is commonly referred to as, is challenging, and arguably the most difficult professional licensing exam in the world. It is of paramount importance that you prepare for the exams for a clear path to a medical career.
The USMLE Step 1 tests your skills in applying all the theoretical lessons learned in the first two years of medical school (basic science knowledge) to medical practice. It is a computer-based multiple choice exam that takes eight hours to complete. Listed below are the relevant subjects that are covered in no particular order:
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Anatomy Pathology Immunology Genetics Biochemistry Nutrition Physiology Behavioural sciences Microbiology Pharmacology Aging Biostatistics and epidemiology Molecular and cell biology
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Preparation resources: ❖ Your Medical School Most of the medical schools offer preparation courses as a part of their curriculum. If the courses are available, it’s definitely worthwhile to prepare yourself with this opportunity. Keep in mind you will need to be prepared for this type of review.
❖ Private Courses As with the preparation of MCAT Live Course, there are many USMLE Prep Courses offered by wellknown national companies as well as smaller and local providers If you want to make sure you are well prepared it is a good idea to hire a private tutor or join a course. These types of preparation courses are best for students who can adapt well in well-structured setting with defined programs with a specific schedule. These classes will keep you honest in your preparation with short and long term accountability and tracking.
❖ Subject Books There are many books for each of the subjects for your preparation, but be careful not to get scattered by trying to study from too many different books at the same time. The best strategy is to use one book as part of your classroom studying while you are learning the subject, and then transferring these notes when you begin your preparation.
❖ Preparation Strategies ➢ Once you’ve decided whether you’re going to register yourself in a prep course or not, and which books you’ll need to be using to study, Here a few of the following preparation strategies: ➢ Start preparing the moment you set foot into medical school by using board books as you are taking courses in each subject. ➢ Before classes officially begin, make a schedule. If your schedule isn’t working, change it so you can get to all of the necessary activities including breaks, eating and recreation!
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❖ Take practice tests frequently to check where you stand. ➢ Practice as many full-length tests as possible in an academic setting to ensure you finish the blocks in the allotted 60 minutes. ➢ Prepare for subjects you are not confident with. It’s easy to study the subjects you’re already confident in, if you’ve mastered a subject, spend more of your time focusing on weaker areas. ➢ Study with your friends, and use humour and other potential mnemonics to help with memorization. ➢ Take your breaks in study days. Get outside. Exercise.
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