Mistakes I made at the beginning of my journey

During the start of my USMLE journey, I was pulled in different directions by different sources. How to plan a schedule? What Question bank to use? It wasn't clear. But with time, I've taken a step back and analyzed where I was going wrong and how to tackle my weak points. First, passive learning isn't going to get you anywhere. There is no point in waiting around to start your question bank. 

The time is now!

Start your question bank and do it in a tutor mode so that the explanations help you nail down the point to take home in the form of a question. Active learning is essential for macro retention. 

Secondly, doing your question bank subjective wise might boost your scores temporarily, but it doesn't resemble your Step 1 ultimately. Doing your question bank in random mode would help you simulate your main exam and prepare long-term. 

Thirdly, first aid is not the only book you should be following. No matter how often you do the first aid book, the one thing that is important to understand is the implications of the points given there.

Pyruvate kinase deficiency causes many clinical features, but what are the key ones that help you distinguish it from G6PD lack? It's essential to apply the particular points given there; not everyone knows how to utilize first aid. Fourthly, going through your question bank can be challenging, but going through it with at least 40-80 questions per day is essential and does not get emotionally involved. Understanding the learning, forgetting, and revising process is necessary when going through your question bank. Lastly, whichever question bank or resource you use, never skip doing your NBME exams. They are the real deal. They are the closest you can get to the real deal, and it's essential to go through all NBME, especially 20-30, and dedicate enough time and make sure nothing else replaces the time you cater for your names.
​
Upon that, if you are looking for exam preparation strategy or are willing to start your USMLE journey but don’t know how. USMLE Sarthi is offering the service “Scratch to Match”. The course includes a curriculum covering all the main topics such as How to build your profile, the timeline of prep (Exams, rotations, research, etc), Step 1 resources and tips (Pass/fail implications), Step 2 CK resources, and tips, Networking/how to build and make use of contacts and more.

Aspirants in any phase of the USMLE journey will benefit from this course. Get answers to all your questions directly from experienced panelists. Click here for more information.

If any queries send an email to contact@usmlesarthi.com.