1. Getting Ready for USMLE STEP 1
Sheela Lahoti, MD
LaTanya Love, MD

2. OBJECTIVES
Provide overview of USMLE with emphasis on Step 1
Discuss timeline for studying
Learn how to incorporate studying for USMLE in your everyday studying
Help students maximize USMLE Step 1 Score

3. Do you ever feel like you are in the standardized test Olympics?3

4. High School
PSAT
SAT
ACT

5. College
MCAT

6. Medical School - USMLE
Three-step examination for medical licensure in the United States
Step 1 taken at end of your second year
Step 2 taken during fourth year
Step 3 taken during residency

7. After residency…. Specialty Board Certification
More than 145 specialties and subspecialties you can become board eligible for

8. Feelings about USMLE Excited Nervous Scared Anxious Confident
Fear of Unknown

9. Why is USMLE important?
To obtain your license to practice medicine in United States you will need to:
Graduate from medical school
Pass USMLE Steps 1, 2, and 3
Complete one or more years of residency
Apply for licensure from a medical licensing authority
Requirements different for every state
In Texas you must past each Step exam within three attempts!

10. Step 1 Scores
Used by a lot of specialties to determine your competitiveness as an applicant
Place graph with average scores by specialties

12. USMLE Step 1
Assesses whether you understand and can apply important concepts of the sciences basic to the practice of medicine, with special emphasis on principles and mechanisms underlying health, disease, and modes of therapy.
*From USMLE Bulletin*

13. USMLE Step 2 Two step examination
Assesses whether you can apply medical knowledge, skills, and understanding of clinical science essential for the provision of patient care under supervision and includes emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention.
Usually taken in fourth year

14. USMLE Step 3
Assesses whether you can apply medical knowledge and understanding of biomedical and clinical science essential for the unsupervised practice of medicine, with emphasis on patient management in ambulatory settings.
Usually taken during or after the first year of postgraduate residency training

15. UT Houston USMLE Step1 Policy
Step 1 must be taken prior to beginning of the third year
If you do not pass you must retake
Recommend that you register prior to February 1, 2016
You must have special permission to sit for Step 1 prior to June 1st
Do they have to take leave? What is official policy?

16. USMLE Step 1 Format Computerized test
Approximately 308 multiple choice questions
Seven 60 minute blocks of 44 items each
Once a block has expired you are no longer able to review or change answers in that block
Administered in an 8 hour Testing Session
Approximately 1.3 minutes per question

17. USMLE Step 1 Format Single Questions with 1 best answer
Other options may be partially correct, but there is only one best answer
Some questions involve interpretation of graphic or pictorial materials
Histology slides, gross anatomy pictures, etc.

18. USMLE Step 1 Format Content is random No penalty for guessing
All subjects are mixed in all blocks
No penalty for guessing
Some questions are experimental

19. USMLE Step 1 Content anatomy behavioral sciences biochemistry
biostatics and epidemiology
microbiology
pathology
pharmacology
physiology
interdisciplinary topics, such as nutrition, genetics, immunology, molecular and cell biology, and aging

20. Reporting Three digit score Minimum passing score is 192*
Mean score for first time examinees from accredited U.S. medical schools is in the range of 210 to 240 (SD +/- 20)
*minimum score subject to change anytime

21. UT Houston 2014 240 total test takers 98% passing on first attempt
National average was 96%
Mean score of 233
National average was 229

22. Mean USMLE Scores

23. STEP 1 Pass Rate

25. Score distribution by discipline and organ system

26. How do I apply? Review the latest USMLE Bulletin at www.usmle.org
Submit your application materials and submit them online at
Fee is $600 (included in the fin. aid budget)
You will receive a scheduling permit authorizing you to schedule your examination in a 3-month window
You will schedule your test date at a Prometric Test Center

27. What are reasons people fail or don’t do as well as they would like?

28. The 3 P’s…….
Poor Planning
Preparation inadequate
Performance Anxiety

29. Planning is key! Set your goal Develop study schedule
Everyone should shoot for 99%!
Don’t underestimate yourself
Develop study schedule
Make it reasonable
Try to stick to this routine

30. Without a study schedule, you will run out of time before you run out of material!

31. Preparation Already started Day 1 of med school
Better to learn and understand concepts now then trying to learn it later!
Want to make it a review when you are studying for boards
Stick with methods that have already worked for you!
Study smart!

32. Preparation Practice doing questions
Practice items can be downloaded from the NBME website
Can schedule practice test at a Prometric Test Center for $75.00
*same sample test materials that are on USMLE website*

33. Commercial Courses
Lots of commercial courses (Kaplan, Princeton Review, etc.)
Doctors in Training
USMLE World
Any courses you want to add??

34. Risk for failure
Poor academic performance during first year of medical school coursework
Below Pass in any class
Prior problems with standardized exams (MCAT)

35. Risk for failure Over confident – “I would never fail”
Under confident – “I probably am going to fail”
Test anxiety
If we feel you are at risk we will call you in prior to exam to make sure you have a study plan

36. Performance Anxiety and stress
If you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed please visit Student Health Services and meet confidentially with our dedicated student psychologist
Call to make an appointment

37. What’s the next step?

38. Steps to USMLE Success
In early Jan. you all will receive 2016 version of First Aid courtesy of the Dean
Would like you to have read it at least 2-3 times before you take Step 1
Wait there’s more…………

39. Steps to USMLE Success School has provided you access to Kaplan Q Bank
Can start doing a few practice questions
Helps you identify areas in which you are weak
Can do timed test

40. NBME Practice Exams
School will administer NBME Comprehensive Basic Science Exam
Resembles content items of Step 1
184 multiple choice items – 4 hrs
Each student will receive an individual performance profile

42. NBME Practice Exam Mandatory for all MS 2’s
First exam will be given in March after spring break
If you do not score a minimum 192 on practice exam you will be required to take a second practice exam around April/May
Do we have a confirmed date?

43. NBME Practice Exam
If you do not score a minimum 192 on second practice exam you will be required to take a third practice exam late May
After 3 practice exams and you are still not making a minimum passing score of 192 you will be required to meet with Dr. Lahoti or Dr. Love to discuss individualized study plan
Optional for others but strongly recommended

44. Steps to USMLE success This is a team effort!
We are hear to support and guide you!
Please come to Office of Student Affairs if you are having any concerns or feel you have special circumstances that need to be addressed