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

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

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

High School PSAT SAT ACT

College MCAT

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

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

Feelings about USMLE Excited Nervous Scared Anxious Confident Fear of Unknown

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!

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

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*

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

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

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?

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

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.

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

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

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

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

Mean USMLE Scores

STEP 1 Pass Rate

Score distribution by discipline and organ system

How do I apply? Review the latest USMLE Bulletin at www.usmle.org Submit your application materials and submit them online at www.nbme.org 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

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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 713-500-5171 to make an appointment

What’s the next step?

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…………

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

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

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?

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

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