• Subject: USMLE Step 1

    Preparation Rule:

    • Use flashcards for your mistakes
    • Track daily progress (use Notion)
    • Study is adaptive: change plan based on NBME scores

    1. Phase 1 – Learning + Foundation (Per System)

      1. Main Resources: BNB or bootcamp videos, First Aid book, UWorld (after finishing each system), review system from Mehlman (or just in specialized modules as arrows, immunology, biochemistry, neuroanatomy, risk factors, and pharmacology module).
      2. system order: Endocrine, Renal, Reproductive, Hematology, Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Neuro, Psychiatry, general Pathology, MSK, Dermatology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, GIT, Immunology, Public Health, general Pharmacology, Biostatistics

    2. Phase 2 – Early Assessment + Weakness Targeting

      • Start with NBME 24 (baseline)
        • If Score ≥ 60%
          • ✅ continue to phase 3
        • If Score < 60%
          • ✅ Do UWorld incorrects (random, timed)
          • 🔁 Repeat UWorld (by system or random)
          • 📚 Reread Mehlman for weak systems
          • 🧠 Amboss Qbank: difficult topics (random mode)
          • Then do another NBME and see the score if good - phase 3

    3. Phase 3 – Full Practice Mode (Polish + Reinforce)

      Continue:

      • All NBME exams (20 → 31)
      • UWSA 1, 2, 3
      • UWorld incorrects or redo the full bank (in-between the NBME)

      Targeted Review for Ethics & Statistics:

      • Dirty Medicine → ethics
      • Osama Elsawah or Randy Neil → biostatistics

      Amboss Articles + Qs (Focus Topics):

      • Patient communication and counseling
      • Grief & end of life counseling
      • Overview of palliative medicine
      • Challenging clinical and ethical scenarios
      • Death
      • Health care system
      • Infection prevention and control
      • Preventive medicine (screening)
      • Principles of medical law and ethics
      • Quality and safety
      • 200 HY concept
      • Risk factor

      if your score doesn't improve:

      • do UW another time or amboss (i prefer amboss if score doesnt improve, same concepts but different Q stem )

    4. Phase 4 – Dedicated Period (Last 2 Weeks)

      Main Focus:

      • NBME (20–31) — full simulation, another time or just notes you took
      • Free 120
      • Review notes + flashcards you took

    5. Exam Day Plan 🥚☕⚡

      Breakfast:

      • 2 eggs
      • 1 cup of coffee
      • Avoid high-carb food (no insulin crash)

      Snacks (per 2 blocks):

      • 4 protein bar (2 pieces each block) 2 protein bars
      • Half Red Bull OR 1 Nercafeix strip over the tongue
      • 1 boiled egg
      • 1 water bottle (remove label for Prometric)

      Break Strategy:

      • Mini break after each block in your place (even 2–3 min)
      • Long break every 2 blocks (7 min)
      • focus on mindset and confidence