How to study for Step 1: a definitive study guide (2024)

Preparing for the USMLE Step 1 can feel like gearing up for the ultimate challenge in your med school journey. 

It’s a crucial exam that tests your understanding of fundamental medical sciences, and having a solid study plan is key to success. 

In this article, I’ll guide you through the best strategies and tips to create an effective study plan for Step 1. 

Whether you’re just starting or deep into your prep, these insights will help you maximize your study time, stay focused, and boost your confidence as you work towards passing this important milestone. Let’s dive in!

What is Step 1

The USMLE Step 1 is like the ultimate level for med students in the US. 

It’s an eight-hour marathon of multiple-choice questions that test your knowledge of all the basic sciences you’ve been cramming: anatomy, biochemistry, microbiology, and more. 

Think of it as a way to prove you’ve got the foundational knowledge needed to be a doctor. While it used to be scored, now it’s just pass/fail, which helps take a bit of the pressure off. 

It’s a very challenging exam and that is why you need a definitive and effective study plan.

3 study tips for USMLE Step 1

1. Find your starting and ending point

To calculate your study needs and establish an effective study plan for the USMLE, it’s essential to know your starting point at the level of preparation. 

Knowing your starting point is critical to structuring a personalized and efficient study program, focusing time and resources on the topics that require the most attention.

Dende can help you assess this starting level. Using your study materials, in dende you can generate quizzes that allow you to identify your areas of strength and weakness. 

Also, define what you want to achieve at the end of your USMLE preparation. For example, do you want to go further to prepare for Step 2 success or do you just want to pass the exam now that it is pass/fail? If you don’t study enough you risk not passing Step 1, so keep your career goals in mind. 

2. Figure out the exam’s format 

Knowing the format of the USMLE Step 1 exam is essential before you begin studying. This way you can adjust your preparation and prepare accordingly. 

Here are the key points of Step 1:

• The time assigned for the exam consists of multiple 60-minute blocks in an eight-hour session. 
• The number of questions per block for a given exam module may vary, but doesn’t exceed 40.
• The USMLE Step 1 uses different formats of test questions. You’ll find multiple-choice tests and sequential question sets: patient vignettes are the preferred exam question format for most tests. The vignette will tell you the story of a patient, followed by one or more questions. Sequential item sets consist of multiple questions that follow a vignette.

3. Do lots of tests and practice exams

Practice tests and self-assessments are indispensable tools for preparing for the USMLE. You can familiarize yourself with the format of the exam and develop effective time management strategies. 

Upload your textbooks or notes into dende to create quizzes that help you identify your areas of strength and weakness. These quizzes simulate the format of the multiple-choice questions you’ll find in the USMLE, allowing you to practice the kinds of questions you’ll actually face on the exam. 

While you are practicing, it is very useful to use dende’s Reread feature: log into your personal profile and you will find a page on the menu on the left. 

It collects all the questions you got wrong and tells you the last answer you gave that question.

You have 2 options:

1. Reread which opens the document to the exact page where the answer is so you can check it and memorize it
2. “Try again” to attempt the question again

You also have the Reread option in quiz mode, so in the feedback it gives you after the answer, you have the option to see the correct answer or click reread to open the document to the correct page.

USMLE Step 1 study schedules

Let’s look at 3 different approaches to preparing for the USMLE Step 1 exam: an intensive 4-week study plan, a more balanced 3-month approach, and a detailed 6-month plan. 

4-weeks study plan for Step 1

A 4-week study plan is a perfect accelerated plan if you want to quickly maximize your study efforts. 

It’s an effective but challenging way to prepare for the exam. In this type of program, each day counts doubly. 

The advantage is that you are constantly in ‘exam mode’, which can make the transition to the actual exam day smoother. Also, there is less time to forget what you learned at the beginning of your study plan.

Here’s the plan: 

• Week 1: the first week is crucial for setting the pace for the rest of your 4-week journey. Focus mainly on your weakest subjects – at most 3 –  and devote about 2 days per subject. During this time, you must absorb information and answer application-based questions related to these subjects. Each day do 6-8 hours of concentrated study, intermittent breaks for relaxation and quick revisions.

• Week 2: again, devote 2-3 days per subject, but this time try to incorporate more integrated questions that require knowledge from multiple subjects. During this week, make time for a quick review of what you studied in Week 1. A few hours should be enough to keep that information fresh. 

• Week 3: this week should be a mix of areas in which you are most prepared and the one that needs revision. You can reduce the time spent on each subject to 1-2 days now. Start incorporating more practice tests to assess your knowledge and strategies for handling questions. It would be wise to simulate exam conditions to get a realistic understanding of your abilities.

• Week 4: this is your final sprint. Your focus should be on reviewing and refining your strategies for coping with the tests. Consider taking a practice test every other day and spend the rest of the time analyzing your performance and returning to weak areas. This should be a consolidation period where you bring together everything you have learned to perform effectively on exam day. 

💡 Tips

• Use the Pomodoro technique, one of the most effective techniques for a short study plan. It involves 25 minutes of concentrated study followed by a 5-minute break. This will help you maintain focus and reduce stress.

• Incorporate active recall sessions: include micro-review sessions in your schedule. These 15-30 minute time slots are scattered throughout your day dedicated to reviewing previously learned material. 

• Flexibility is not an option: with a 4-week plan, flexibility is definitely not your friend. Stick religiously to your schedule and avoid procrastination at all costs.

3-months study plan for Step 1

A 3-month study plan offers a more balanced pace, providing time to cover all topics comprehensively while spending more time on practice exams and self-assessment. 

This program is ideal if you work part-time or prefer a more in-depth approach to study. 

Here is the plan: 

• Month 1: the first month you need to lay a solid foundation for your preparation. Prioritize weaker topics, spending up to a week per topic depending on complexity and familiarity. Integrate a mixture of reading, video and basic question solving at this stage. Reserve the last week for a preliminary review and self-assessment test to assess your understanding.

• Month 2: now, move on to longer and more complex topics, incorporating interdisciplinary questions as well. For example, if you are studying pharmacology, try to solve clinical cases that require an understanding of pathology or physiology. Devote 4-5 days per topic, with the remaining time devoted to weekly reviews and practice tests.
• Month 3: this is the consolidation phase. By this time, you should have covered all topics at least once. Begin this month with an in-depth review, followed by subject-length practice tests. Start taking full-length practice exams at least once a week to mimic exam conditions and assess your preparation. The last week should be reserved for high-yield topics and another full-length review.

💡 Tips

• Active learning: use active learning strategies such as teaching the concept to someone else or creating flashcards. These techniques will help reinforce the material and make your study sessions more interactive.
• Feedback: With a longer schedule, you can afford to spend time analyzing the results of your practice tests. Note the areas where you make frequent mistakes and spend time retaking those topics. Use this information to modify your study plan if necessary. 
• Group study: since you have more time, you can afford to devote a day or two a week to group study or discussion forums. These sessions can be invaluable for gaining multiple perspectives on a complex topic or for reinforcing what you have learned. 

6-months study plan for Step 1

A 6-month study plan allows you to explore each topic meticulously, ensuring that you have fully understood the subject matter.

It also provides time for numerous practice exams, spaced repetition of the material, and targeted focus on weaknesses.

Here’s the plan:

• Months 1-2: Start with your weaker topics, as always, but in a 6-month plan, you have the luxury of devoting up to 2 weeks to more complex topics. Use multiple resources for these topics: books, video lessons, interactive apps, etc. Integrate basic question solving into your daily routine from the beginning.
• Months 3-4: Move on to topics in which you have moderate confidence. You should devote about 1 week to each of these. This is also a great time to incorporate integrated topics, such as case studies involving multiple disciplines. At the end of this phase, schedule a comprehensive review and a full-length practice exam to assess your learning and retention.

• Months 5-6: This period should focus on refining your knowledge. Boost strong areas and review topics that need reinforcement based on your self-assessments and practice exams. Start taking full-length practice exams more frequently, under exam-like conditions, at least once a week. The last month could also include simulation exams, complete with actual exam timing, breaks, and distractions, to prepare you psychologically for the big day.

💡 Tips

• Revision strategy: given the long term, choose one or more revision strategies to consolidate long-term memory such as spaced repetition with flashcards.
• Advanced resources: the length of this plan means that you can use more advanced study resources. For example, you could invest time in research articles or clinical case studies relevant to USMLE topics. 

Whether you opt for a 4-week, 3-month, or 6-month study plan, the key is to stay focused, utilize available resources wisely, and maintain a balanced routine. Following this guide will help you ensure you’re well-prepared to this challenging exam. Good luck!