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Step I Studies Overview & Strategies

Step I Studies Overview & Strategies. Jane Rosenthal. Don’t panic. Have a plan. Stay (Get) organized. USMLE Step 1 Specifications System 25%-35% General principles 65%-75% Individual organ systems  

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Step I Studies Overview & Strategies

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  1. Step I StudiesOverview & Strategies Jane Rosenthal

  2. Don’t panic.

  3. Have a plan.

  4. Stay (Get) organized.

  5. USMLE Step 1 Specifications • System • 25%-35% General principles • 65%-75% Individual organ systems   • Hematopoietic/Lymphoreticular• Nervous/special senses• Skin/connective tissue• Musculoskeletal• Respiratory• Cardiovascular• Endocrine• Immune • Gastrointestinal• Renal/urinary• Reproductive • Process • 20%-30% Normal structure and function • 40%-50% Abnormal processes • 5%-25% Principles of therapeutics • 10%-20% Psychosocial, cultural, occupational, and environmental considerations • Source: http://www.usmle.org/General_Information/bulletin/2011/content.html#step1

  6. General Principles • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology • Biology of Cells • Human development & Genetics • Biology of Tissue Response to Disease • Gender, Ethnic, & Behavioral Considerations Affecting Disease Treatment & Prevention • Multisystem Processes • Pharmacodynamic and Pharmacokinetic Processes • Microbial Biology & Infection • Immune Responses • Quantitative Methods Source: http://www.usmle.org/Examinations/step1/2011Step1.pdf

  7. What areas might be challenging for you?

  8. Right now…Repro…

  9. GI/Liver Feb 7 – March 11 Priority #1: Learn the material well! To really ramp up for Step 1: review relevant material from Core; integrate with material from other disciplines

  10. Spring break March 12-20 • Develop a study plan based on your strengths &weaknesses • Subscribe to online testing program (USMLEWorld, Kaplan, etc). • Organize! • Form a study group

  11. Start putting the pieces together.

  12. Ideas for ICS… March 21: Headache March 28: Abdominal Pain April 4: Fatigue 4/4: RSP Presentations April11: Dizziness April 8: Shortness of Breath April 25: Fever May 2: Trauma 5/9-5/18 OSCE May 20: ICS Comprehensive Exam

  13. Between May 20th and your test date • Practice, practice, practice • Start with more challenging foundational subjects or systems • Suggest approx 50 questions each day at first, then increase to 100 per day • Review questions that you miss. • Check your progress, but don’t obsess about it. • Celebrate improvements. • 2-3 weeks prior to exam, do a full-length practice to build endurance and fine-tune your studying.

  14. Don’t let the time slip away. Remember your goals.

  15. What kinds of questions do you expect?

  16. Kinds of questions • Facts, details • Concepts or functions • Identifying structures/interpreting images • Interpreting graphs or diagrams • Recognizing/understanding signs & symptoms • Using patient history and details • Determining a diagnosis; differential diagnosis • Understanding test results • Determining a treatment or management plan (including “next step”) • Describing or evaluating outcomes or prognosis

  17. More about the test • How long is it? • 15 minutes for tutorial (optional) • 7 sixty-minute blocks (that’s 7 hours of questions!) • Each 60 minute block has 48 questions • 45 minutes for break

  18. More about the test • How long is it? • 15 minutes for tutorial (optional) • 7 sixty-minute blocks (that’s 7 hours of questions!) • Each 60 minute block has 48 questions • 45 minutes for break Be sure to build your stamina !

  19. During the test: • Take a sweatshirt or sweater – the test centers are often chilly. • There is no penalty for guessing, so always answer something. • Pace yourself. The screen has a clock to say time remaining, but won’t give you warnings. Check your progress at regular intervals. 48 questions per hour = 12 questions every15 minutes

  20. Some helpful resources • Utah Pathology Questions • http://library.med.utah.edu/WebPath/webpath.html#MENU • Student Source (a compilation of resources from a variety of medical schools for particular topics) • http://www.med-ed.virginia.edu/menu/otherMedEd.cfm • Content description, sample test and downloadable program for practice • http://www.usmle.org/Examinations/step1/step1.html

  21. FIGHT ON! Jane Rosenthal Learning Specialist KAM216 janerose@usc.edu (323) 442-2380

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