Kaplan Qbank for USMLE Step 1 Tips

In the last post 21+ Online Resources For USMLE Step 1, I mentioned that I would try to avoid duplicating information that was already out there on the net. However, I noticed that, while many sites advocate for one question bank (or "qbank") or another, less advice exists on how to maximize your learning when you are going through a QBank. There is more to it than simply clicking the right answers!  Most of these are common sense, but hopefully they will be useful.

Many students use a qbank to help quiz themselves prior to taking USMLE Step 1. The most popular ones I know of are Kaplan Qbank, USMLEWorld, and USMLERx (by the writers of First Aid for the USMLE Step 1). The tip below will work with any of these, but since I used Kaplan Qbank, I'll use it as an example. This post is not intended to be a full Kaplan QBank review, but more of a guide on how to get the most out of the qbank.

The Kaplan Qbank contains roughly 2200 questions in 50 question blocks. The blocks can be taken according to subject, or with the questions in random order. For Step 1, be aware that the questions will be in random order. Each 50 block section must be completed in one hour, as is the case with the USMLE Step 1 blocks. Some people preferred to study a subject, and then do review questions on that topic. I preferred to do random question blocks, as it simulated the real test, and helped me keep touch with older material. I also worried that doing subject blocks would give me a false sense of security, since I had just studied that same material.

Regardless of your study style, the key here is to budget an extra 60 to 90 minutes for each block after you complete it. Don't just look at your score, but instead, take the time to look at the detailed explanations for each question regardless of whether you got it correct or not! Then, make sure to annotate First Aid for the USMLE Step 1! This is KEY! Doing so diligently every day that you study will give you a comprehensive review guide by the time the your USMLE Step 1 exam date rolls around. Furthermore, if you store tidbits of information in one place, it makes it MUCH easier to look up later. Otherwise, you will waste a lot of time trying to review information in multiple resources. Think about it: by the time you get through all your studying for Step 1, you will have consulted at least 3 books frequently, and probably 7-10 more books as well. How will you remember where that crucial explanation was written? Ah! If you had just written it down in First Aid, you'd know where it is!

Hope that helps! If you don't have a QBank already, check out the Kaplan QBank Challenge, which is a set of sample questions:

In my next post, I will address the pros and cons of the two qbanks I had direct experience with, Kaplan Qbank and USMLE World. Got any other tips for USMLE Step 1 or using qbanks?

Updated 2015-12-18

21+ Online Resources For USMLE Step 1

Before embarking on writing a huge USMLE Step 1 guide, I decided to ask myself: what online resources already exist for USMLE Step 1? I recalled looking for stuff online, and I knew I had previously written about books for USMLE Step 1. However, in the past, when I went looking for resources, I searched in a very focused, found what I wanted, downloaded it, and forgot about the rest of the internet.

This time, I didn't want to reinvent the wheel and write all about a test I already took when others may have already done it for me. And, lo and behold, they have. However, the information is all over the place, so hopefully this post will help by categorizing this stuff. The categories are: USMLE Step 1 Guides/Forums, USMLE Step 1 Mnemonics, USMLE Step 1 Links, USMLE Step 1 Books, and USMLE Step 1 Online Resources (ie miscellaneous links). Most links are self-explanatory, but in some cases, I'll leave a comment so you know what I think of the site/contents.

USMLE Step 1 Guides / Forums

• Prepare for the Boards in Six Weeks - topher at the rumors were true put together a comprehensive post on how to schedule your study time as well as what to do for each topic area. A must read.
• Graham's Guide to Board Prep - another good read from a quality blog
• USMLE Step 1 Preparation - a short piece on one person's experience
• USMLE Step 1 Guide - from mdtool.com
• How To Create A Study Plan For The USMLE - via prep4md
  
  
• Prep for USMLE - forums for Step 1, 2 CK & CS, and 3
• ValueMD Step 1 Forums
• StudentDoctor Network USMLE Step 1 Forums

USMLE Step 1 Mnemonics

• All Medical Mnemonics - huge list
• Medical Mnemonics - searchable database of mnemonics
• First Aid for the USMLE Step 1
  

USMLE Step 1 Link Pages

• USMLE Step 1 Links
• Step 1 Links - on prep4usmle forum. The links are generally grouped by subject
• General Medical Student Online Resources - on sdn forum. Links to good stuff for Step 1 also

USMLE Step 1 Books (Online / Print)

• Cecil's Textbook of Medicine Online - if you need a more definitive source
• Medical Textbooks - just a giant page of medical textbook links
• USMLE 1-2-3 Books
• First Aid for the USMLE Step 1 2009

USMLE Step 1 Online Resources

• IUHS-ISA - Images for Step 1 grouped by subject in folders
• Random USMLE Facts
• USMLE Blog for Smart People - the title is bluster, but seems like the posts have some good links
• Qbanks (Kaplan USMLE- Step 1 Web Prep, USMLE World, USMLE Rx) - all are decent, but you must do at least one of these if you really want to succeed on Step 1. If you want to sample Kaplan's product, click the image below:

Given that so much already exists online on how to study for Step 1 and what books to use, I think I will focus my posts on more specific issues that come up while studying for Step 1, as opposed to how to study for the test itself. You'll find all you could ever want or need in the links above!

Updated 2015-12-18

USMLE Step Exams And Residency In 2009

Happy new year! I hope everyone had a happy holiday season. As this blog enters a new year, I have decided to try to shake things up. In the past, I posted whenever I felt about topics that caught my eye. However, most of my time was spent in formatting the post, which left relatively little time for commentary. Hopefully you all still found it enjoyable, but reflecting back on how I blogged, I've come to a few conclusions. 

First, much of the information I was blogging about had already been covered ad nauseum around the "tubes." Second, since I posted whatever I wanted and whenever I felt like it, each post seemed fine to me, but taken as a whole, the blog lacked focus. Third, the blog did not have the volume of traffic to justify my style. Some people don't care to be read when they blog, but if so, why post online? You could just write in a paper journal or a Word document, right? So, if I'm going to invest the time in a blog, I should care about gaining readers and providing something valuable in exchange for their time.

To that end, in the coming year of 2009, I am going to focus more on a few main topics. Since many of my friends are taking USMLE Step 1 this year, I will be doing some posts in the next few months, detailing my advice as well as describing my experience taking the exam. For those of you who have already taken Step 1, perhaps you could comment and contribute your insights to help make the posts better. Also, since I will be taking USMLE Step 2 CK and USMLE Step 2 CS in the coming months, I will tackle those subjects as well. Finally, since Match Day looms near, residency-related posts will also likely be put up here. 

Anyway, that's my two cents for the new year. Thanks again for stopping by and reading. If you have any suggestions or ideas for posts/topics (or heck, want to submit one yourself), contact me at scrubnotes[at]gmail[dot]com. Happy 2009!