How long does it take to prepare for Step 1?

For IMGs who have just completed second year of medical school, 4-6 weeks of dedicated preparation time will be enough. However, for those who start late, 4-6 months of dedicated preparation will allow them to do well on the exam.

Is 1 month enough for Step 1?

A three-month USMLE Step 1 Study Plan gives the student a more balanced and comprehensive approach to preparing for the exam. At the very least, three months gives you enough time to cover all topics needed to ace the exam without feeling burned out.

Can you pass Step 1 in 2 months?

The Step 1 exam is a marathon, not a sprint. It requires dedication and commitment on a daily basis within the 2-3 months allotted in preparation for the exam. You will spend a significant amount of your day studying for the USMLE Step 1.

Can you pass Step 1 in 8 weeks?

This is an important exam, but it does not define what kind of doctor you will be. This exam is just a hurdle to overcome. Dedicated recommended study length: 6-8 weeks: With over 3500Qs you need seven weeks with at least 80 questions per day for one single pass of UWorld.

Is Step 1 hard to pass?

The USMLE Step 1 exam is the most challenging, most important test you will take during your medical career. This test is over all of the information you absorbed in the first two years of medical school, and it takes seven hours to complete.

USMLE Step 1: How Long Should I Study?

Is 60% enough to pass Step 1?

USMLE Step 1 Passing Score

Unlike the other USMLE exams, Step 1 is reported as pass/fail only, so you will not receive a numerical score. According to the USMLE program, examinees must correctly answer approximately 60 percent of items to pass each USMLE Step.

What is a 196 on Step 1?

For more information about scores, view Scores Common Questions. * USMLE Step 1 score reporting is reported as pass/fail only for exams taken on or after January 26, 2022. On the three-digit score scale, the passing standard is 196.

Can you fail Step 1 and still match?

While a single failure doesn't necessarily negatively impact your chances of being accepted, it's the time you lose that really matters. It takes a tremendous amount of time and effort to prepare for Step 1, and if you fail, you'll have to go through that process all over again.

Can I finish Step 1 in 3 months?

You can definitely study for the USMLE in 3 months. It may even take you less time if you have a good understanding of your foundational medical knowledge! But, it's better to be safe than sorry. With more study time, you can build your confidence and memory recall for the lengthy eight-hour exam day.

Can you fail Step 1 twice?

If you do not pass the USMLE Step 1 exam, you have the option to retake it up to six times. However, within a 12 month period, you can only take the exam a maximum of three times. If you fail the exam on your first try, you can take it again two more times within one year.

How common is it to fail Step 1?

Additionally, the: Step 1 pass rate amongst MD students dropped from 95% in 2021 to 91% in 2022. The overall passing rate fell from 88% in 2021 to 82% in 2022.

Can you pass Step 1 with UWorld only?

Although UWorld is valuable for learning and reviewing, it's not sufficient as the sole study tool for Step 1. We recommend utilizing UWorld in conjunction with First Aid and flashcards to get the most out of your dedicated.

How many hours study for Step 1?

This study plan is intended to be intense and calls for roughly 10+ hours (including breaks) of studying every day (except evenings off after NBME assessments). The harder you work, the more likely you will be to pass. However, that being said, do what you can.

Is Step 1 harder than Step 2?

The majority of people do much better on Step 2 than on Step 1 even with less studying. This test focuses more on the next step in a patient presentation. Questions such as which lab or test to order next. There will also be plenty of diagnosis questions as well.

What is a very good Step 1 score?

Prior to starting your dedicated study time, make sure to do some research and figure out if your goal range matches the expectations of your chosen specialty. Generally speaking, however, a USMLE® Step 1 score between 230 and 245 was considered a good and a score between 245 and 255 was considered very good.

How many weeks do people study for Step 1?

A study plan serves as an accountability framework that helps keep the students in check, provides an agenda to rely on, and evaluates their performance. Medical students must set up a study schedule based on dedicated study time. Usually, medical school graduates utilize 6-8 weeks to study for USMLE.

Can you take Step 1 in your first year?

In LCME-accredited medical schools, although Step 1 and Step 2 can be taken in any order, most students will take Step 1 at the end of their second year and Step 2 in their fourth year; Step 3 is usually taken during the first or second year of postgraduate training.

When should I start studying for Step 1?

Most students study for Step 1 during their preclinical curriculum, during the first year of medical school. And then the intensity increases during that dedicated time. Most of them would average 11 hours of studying per day for 35 days, usually covering 4000 practice sessions during that amount of study time.

Is 4 months enough for Step 1?

Is 4 months enough study time for Step 1? A dedicated four-month study period may facilitate strong performance on the exam if you've spent ample time strengthening your weak areas from day one of your medical education. But for most students, at least 6 months of dedicated study time is ideal for success.

What percentage of med students fail Step 1?

Failing USMLE Step 1 is not uncommon.

2022 NBME performance data show that the passing rate for 1st time test takers with a US or Canadian MD degree was 93%; with a US or Canadian DO degree was 89%; and for non-US or Canadian degrees was 74%. These passing rates have gone down from the 2021 data across the board.

Does everyone get the same questions on Step 1?

Although nobody gets the exact same set of questions, your grade will be based on the sum of the averages for each question. So if test-takers got, on average, 75% of the questions you got correct, and you get 75% correct, then you will have an average score (or about 232).

How many people pass Step 1?

Most notably, between 2021 (old busted graded version) and 2022 (hot new p/f version), Step 1 pass rates declined. For allopathic students, the Step 1 pass rate dropped from 95% to 91%. For osteopathic students, the passing rate decreased from 94% to 89%.

Is the Step 1 exam curved?

Note that the USMLE examination is not scored “on a curve”. Students are not scored against each other, but relative to a per-set annual standard. This standard is constant for the year. Both US medical students and IMGs are scored using the same standard.

How good is 260 on Step 1?

250 – 260:

This score is above the mean program score for all programs, so you know you're scoring above average no matter where you're applying to. Mean program scores in this range: None (all mean program scores are lower).

Which NBME is the most predictive for Step 1?

Many students ask, “Which is the most important NBME?” or “How do I decide which NBMEs to take?” Based on informal student reporting, NBME 28 and UWSA 2 are the most correlated with Step 1 performance.