How to get 99 on Step 1?

Every Step 1 applicant wants a 99 on Step 1, but only few people did it. Nonetheless, it is doable as long as you have a good plan and study habits. Here are some tips VMGUS collected from a friend who scored 99 on Step 1, and others who scored 95 and above. This is merely one suggestion to ace Step 1. There are many ways to accomplish this goal. If you’re aiming for 95, you may get 90 or 91. So try to aim the higher and set bigger goal. If you have other ideas how to ace Step 1, put it here.

Before studying Step 1, there is something you should do first.
1. Ask you self: what do you want? Want 99 or just 75 to pass ( the higher the better) Why Step 1 is important?
2. What preventing you from achieve that goal? Think about everything in your life, your limitation,
3. Do you know someone that is role model, who got 99?
4. What is your ideal day and your schedule? How much time you can devote to Step 1?
You will write down every answer for these questions on a sheet of paper, it can be Vietnamese or English. Read it again and again to fully understand goal.

Next, what materials are needed: They are Kaplan, High Yield, BRS, Goljan Pathology, Kaplan Q Bank, Harrison’s IM, Goljan Path full text. These are available at VMGUS library to download.

Try to have a good sleeping habit. For example, try to go to bed every night at 11 PM and get up at 6 AM. This is usually a problem with medical students since we tend to stay up late. But remember, the test starts at 8AM and you need to have full breakfast and prepare yourself. Full sleep before the exam is very important. One of the key for success is good schedule and study habit. As you did MCAT before, it is very important to stick to your schedule.

Months before the exam:
Depends on everyone, preparation for step 1 can take from 1 year to 3 months. It is best when you can incorporate your first and second year materials into preparation. Make a list of subjects that you don’t know well and feel less confident. Write them down and starts review them first. For those who are Vietnamese IMGs, this is flexible. USMLE Step 1 is allowed for multiple attempt, but VMGUS recommends that Vietnamese IMGs should try once and do best in that exam. Therefore, long preparation is critical. Many residency programs prefer IMGs attempt Step 1 at first time.

Take notes for all things that you think you don’t understand fully or remember. For example, drug interaction, side effects of lithium, etc…Make your own notes everyday.

Last 3-4 weeks before the exam, Don’t solve the questions anymore. Instead, read all the materials again. Last 5-4 days, review quickly for each subject. Also, review your own notes again. Make sure you review again the topics that have to be memorized such as patho hema, anticancer, behavior sleep, stats, microvirus, etc…see photos in Harrison and First Aid.

One day before the exam, do nothing. Just relax, go for a movie, chat with friends, etc…this is a reward for yourself. You should feel confident after a long prepared time and you will make it. Don’t sleep at noon or daytime because you may not sleep well at night.

On the exam day, bring 3-4 bottles of tang or vital Z with you for energy. Take some sandwich so you can have good sugar source, you know that your brain need glucose as the only source of energy. Each good breakfast with fruit and liquid. Check again your passport, ID, and other paperwork. Dress comfortably, not too tied or loose. Do to toilet before taking the exam.

You will start the tutorial, you cannot skip it. Keep pressing “Next” button and you’ll be asked to put your CIN number. Type it and the exam start. Take the exam as you’re playing computer game. Enjoy it because all the materials you already knew. After finished the first block, write a note for yourself” Great job, Dr..B”. Keep up the tempo and good work. Do the first two blocks simultaneously without breaks. It will save you some time later. After 2 blocks, then take a break, wash your face, message your eyes, drink more liquids. After 4th or 5th block, enjoy your lunch. You’re almost there. Finish the last block in confidence. Don’t think back about previous block. Concentrate and focus.

After the exam, you made it. You just finished the very important exam in your life. Go home safely and enjoy.