If you’re looking for information on how to start studying for the USMLE Step 1 to revalidate your medical degree in the U.S., I imagine you’ve already gone through these steps:
- Understand the stages of the process. (If you haven’t done this initial part yet, we’re here to help! In short, these are the 7 basic stages you’ll likely need to go through in order to apply for a residency position in the U.S.: Bureaucracy, Exams, Rotations, Application, Interviews, Ranking, Match)
- Check if you’re eligible to go through the process. (Does your medical school have a Sponsor Note? Did you transfer schools or programs? Did you get credit transfers?)
- Create your ECFMG account.
- Understand which documents you’ll need from your institution. (This depends on whether you’ve already graduated or not.)
- Learn how to study and which materials to use.
- Get your study materials.
And now, you’ve reached the stage of creating a study plan, a schedule, and… EXECUTING IT!
Great!! We’re here to help you with this part.
Buy your UWorld subscription and start with a subject you like! Divide the systems by subjects, that way, it’s easier to follow.
For example: suppose you start with Cardiology. Select Cardiology, then Biochemistry. Do those questions first, then move on to Anatomy, Embryology, Histology, Physiology, etc. After that, choose related systems to continue. Alternate between topics you find easy and those you find difficult, so you don’t leave all your least favorite (and hardest) ones for the end.
The use of supplementary materials depends a lot on how much time you have to study. If you have more time, you can include some video platforms in your routine! But before subscribing to every platform and buying all the extra materials, I recommend reading [this post] first.
If you decide that you want or need extra resources, start with Pathoma videos, which you can watch as you go through each system. We also highly recommend Dirty Medicine and Boards & Beyond.
Start unlocking Anki cards as you do your questions and make sure to review every day — yes, every day! Try to add a maximum of 50 new cards per day, okay? Otherwise, your reviews will pile up.
With time and patience, you’ll get to know your own study rhythm and how each platform works. Don’t give too much room for discouragement or losing momentum. Stay focused and consistent.
If you need help or support, leave a comment here or reach out through any of our community channels (Instagram, newsletter, blog, etc.).
Happy studying!
