Dr. Kudraths USMLE Step 1 Study Plan 2

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Dear Student Physician, Thank you for purchasing my study plan for the USMLE Step 1 exam. I’ve advised students with these tips for many years with much success—I have even given this guide to my own children! Now, I am very happy to have the opportunity to offer this tried-and-true formula for success to students all over the world. For more than two decades, I have taught physiology, pharmacology, epidemiology, and other high-yield subjects to medical students and international medical graduates preparing for the most important exam of their professional lives. From Toronto to Chicago, Dubai to Delhi, I’ve learned as much from my students as I hope they have learned from me. It is with this experience that I move beyond simply teaching testable material: As an educator, I want to share the knowledge I’ve gained not just on topics covered on the board exams, but also on the practice of medicine, self-improvement, and physician work-life balance. This is why I have partnered with my children, Dr. Farah Kudrath, Dr. Abdulla Kudrath, and Dr. Umar Kudrath, to create a resource for students who have devoted their careers to the noble calling of medicine. KudrathHealthEducation.com is a web site with products, services, and study tips for students, residents, and physicians who want to excel in their academic, professional, and personal endeavors. After you have successfully completed the USMLE Step 1 exam, check back with us and utilize our growing menu of offerings to nourish the mind and the soul. I am proud of what we’ve done so far, but I’m more excited about what’s to come. Thanks again, and see you soon,

Dr. Wazir Kudrath Chairman of Kudrath Health Education [email protected]

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USMLE STEP 1 Study Plan

1

DEFINE YOUR GOAL SCORE If you don't know where you're going, how are you going to get there?

Goal Score > 240 Set a goal score for yourself and believe you will achieve it-because if you don't, who will? Consider what specialty and programs you are applying for, and calibrate your goal to meet their expectations. If you follow this study plan, you will be prepared and more likely to score above average on the USMLE Step 1 exam. There is no luck, no magic, no tricks. Do the work, get the result. Mean USMLE Step 1 Score of all matched US Seniors: 230

Mean USMLE Step 1 Score of all unmatched US Seniors: 221

Mean USMLE Step 1 Score of all matched US IMGs: 217 Mean USMLE Step 1 Score of all matched Non-US IMGs: 227

Mean USMLE Step 1 Score of all unmatched US IMGs: 204 Mean USMLE Step 1 Score of all unmatched Non-US IMGs: 213

Average USMLE Step 1 Scores for Matched Applicants by Specialty 270 241

240 226 218

232

231 229 222

220

212

232

235

231

230 224

226

Pathology

Emergency Medicine

226

230

230

223

214

210 Family Medicine

Pediatrics

Internal Medicine

Psychiatry

US Seniors

General Surgery

Radiology

Ob/Gyn

Anesthesiology

Independent Applicants Source: NRMP, "Charting Outcomes in the Match", 2014

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2

YOUR ESTIMATED TEST DATE You can't study for Step 1 indefinitely: Register for an exam date. First, take a diagnostic test to see where you're starting from: I highly recommend NBME Test #12. After you take a diagnostic test, you'll get a three digit score.

DIAGNOS TIC SCORE Most students will be in these two categories, so DON'T PANIC!

210 If your diagnostic score is < 180: FULL TIME STUDY (8 - 10 hrs/day)

PART TIME STUDY (4-5 hrs/day)

6 months + 14 days

12 months + 14 days

~ 25 days/month

~ 25 days/month

~ 8 hours/day

~ 4 hours/day

Estimated 1,200 hours of study

Estimated 1,200 hours of study

6 months x 25 days x 8 hours + (14 days x 8 hours) = 1,312

12 months x 25 days x 4 hours + (14 days x 8 hours) = 1,312

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If your diagnostic score is 180-210: FULL TIME STUDY (8 - 10 hrs/day)

PART TIME STUDY (4-5 hrs/day)

4 months + 10 days

8 months + 10 days

~ 25 days/month

~ 25 days/month

~ 8 hours/day

~ 4 hours/day

Estimated 800 hours of study

Estimated 800 hours of study

4 months x 25 days x 8 hours + (10 days x 8 hours) = 880

8 months x 25 days x 4 hours + (14 days x 8 hours) = 880

If your diagnostic score is > 210: 2 months + 10 days

FULL TIME STUDY (8 - 10 hrs/day)

~ 25 days/month ~ 8 hours/day Estimated 400 hours of study

dy Smart stu : r e b m e m Re to time! is inverse

SMART STUDY

2 months x 25 days x 8 hours + (10 days x 8 hours) = 480

TIME

APPLY TO SCHEDULE THE EXAM ENROLL WITH NBME OR ECFMG DO NOT DISTRIBUTE! This product is licensed to Awab Hamid - [email protected] as of April 16, 2016

3

STUDY MATERIALS These are your tools. They won't build anything unless you use them.

MIND MAPS

K a p l a n F i r s t Uworld BRS Notes aid Q-Bank to ch eck D on't forget d M aps! out USM LE M in

ACTIVE LEARNING > PASSIVE LEARNING

SUBJECTS COVERED ON STEP 1 BY WEIGHT:

Pharmacology Microbiology Pathology Physiology Biochemistry Embryology

Immunology

Anatomy and Histology DO NOT DISTRIBUTE! This product is licensed to Awab Hamid - [email protected] as of April 16, 2016

4

STUDY STRATEGY BY SUBJECT Start with high-yield subjects: Physiology, Pharmacology, and Pathology.

r study u o y g in t a e r When c he 3 P's: t n o s u c o f , calendar d path! n a , m r a h p , Phys

Distribution of Questions

Non-P's: 40.0 %

P's: 60.0 %

20% OF YOUR TIME ON EACH P 10% ON EACH NON-P

Example: For a diagnostic score < 180 6 MONTHS TO EXAM 20% PER P

Estimated 1,200 hours of study total 1,200 x 0.20 = 240 hours per P 30 days per P (full time at 8 hrs/day) 1 month of study for Physiology, Pathology, Pharm

6 MONTHS TO EXAM 10% PER NON-P

Estimated 480 hours of study left 480 x 0.10 = 48 hours About 6 days per non-P (full time at 8 hrs/day) About 1 week of study each for Biostats, Biochem, etc.

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WHY SPEND SO MUCH TIME ON 3 SUBJECTS?

The 3 P's not only account for the majority of the exam, they also contain concepts that are necessary to understand prior to mastering the non-P's.

Suggested Order of Topics:

Week 0 Complete diagnostic exam

Week 10

Complete 2nd practice exam NBME Exam #11 (score should 5-10 points)

gy

Week 16

An a His tomy to lo a gy nd Bio Be statis hav tics iora an l Sc d ien Em ce bry o lo gy

che m Bio

Week 14

Ph arm aco lo

istr y

gy

Week 12

14 Day Review

Week 5

Mic rob iolo

lo g y

Im

mu

no

lo g y Pat ho

Ph ysi o lo

gy

(Using the 6 month timeline as an example)

Week 21

Week 20

Week 22 Complete 3rd practice exam NBME #17

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Progress Assessment: (Using the 6 month timeline as an example)

Keep scheduled

Keep scheduled

exam date

exam date

Score > 220 No 3rd practice exam (14 days until scheduled test date)

Score: 200 - 220 Score < 220

Is your intended specialty competitive?

Yes Score < 200

Back to basics: make sure you understand key concepts and ASK FOR HELP

Take another practice exam (NBME #15 or #17)

5

Assess reasons for slowed progress

Postpone exam date 2 months

Postpone exam date 1 month

poor study conditions/habits second-guessing yourself lack of conceptual undersanding

YOUR DAILY STUDY SCHEDULE Success depends on your day-to-day discipline.

Mimic testing conditions by adjusting your sleep schedule Sit at a desk when studying, not in your bed or on the couch Start each day with Q&A (active learning, not with reading (passive)

Don't study in the middle of the night, even if you are a night owl Don't study during your scheduled break times. Eat right and exercise. Don't study with music playing or the television on--there's no music playing during the test!

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7:00 - 8:30 AM

Eat breakfast and get dressed for your day

8:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Q&A on single subject using UWorld or Q-bank

12:30 - 1:30 PM

Lunch (Do NOT study during lunch)

11:00 PM - 7:00 AM

Sleep (Do NOT sacrifice sleep for study) 1:30 - 5:30 PM

Read notes/text on the same subject as your morning Q&A

8:30 - 11:00 PM

Open Session: Can do another set of Q&A or spend time doing more reading, depending on your mood.

5:30 - 8:30 PM

ESS Time: Exercise, Shower, Socialize (Do NOT skip ESS time for more studying)

tions are Practice Ques to test! to teach , not

ALWAYS DO QUESTIONS BEFORE READING

Doing questions and going over the answers and explanations before reading increases your retention of the material by focusing your attention. Do not put them off in favor of reading! You're supposed to get them wrong, that's how you learn.

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T-14 DAYS UNTIL EXAM 14

FINAL REVIEW

Eat healthy foods

Self-Care

Exercise daily Align sleep schedule with test schedule Sleep 8 hours every night

Sleep

Review key concepts Memorize tedious facts in embryology, rheumatology, etc.

First Aid

Read over answers and explanations 2 Blocks of mixed questions

UWorld

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T-1 DAYS UNTIL EXAM MENTAL PREPARATION

1

STOP ALL STUDYING AT 4 PM!

u must do o y , m p 4 r e t f a ings! these three th

Moderate exercise

Best dinner ever

See a chick-flick or comedy

Bedtime is 10 PM! If you think you'll have trouble sleeping, take 3 mg of melatonin by 9 PM but only if you have taken it before and know how you react to it.

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6

YOUR USMLE STEP 1 EXAM DAY Your chance to demonstrate how much you've learned has arrived.

Goal Score > 240 re the test Don't spend the morning befo eath, relax, and trying to cram-Take a deep br ow an answer trust yourself. If you don't kn , and move on! ick cl , ile Sm y pl Sim : st te e th on

Breakfast: Protein > simple sugar

Skip tutorial

Lunch: Sandwich (no turkey), water

2 Blocks

Break

1 Block

Break

1 Block

Lunch

2 Blocks

Break

1 Block

Breaks: Use the restroom and stretch

CONGRATS You made it !

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HOW TO REJOIN CIVILIZATION Step out into the sunlight friends, the worst is over. Your scores will be emailed to you three weeks after your exam date, usually on the third Wednesday after your exam before noon. If you passed the exam but didn't make your goal score, you can not retake the exam--but don't worry, you are not doomed! (See below) If you failed, you can retake the exam. Take time to cry and scream, but do not quit! You will be a physician! Contact a mentor, your medical school dean, or reach out to Dr. K ([email protected]).

?

MY SCORE IS BELOW AVERAGE FOR MY SPECIALTY: WHAT DO I DO NOW? Don't panic: Step 1 is only one of many factors programs consider in a residency applicant. You are more than your Step 1 score! Talk to a mentor in the field you are applying to and ask what you can do to make yourself a good applicant (observerships, visiting student clinical rotations, research, etc.)

?

I FAILED THE USMLE STEP 1: WHAT DO I DO NOW? You failed the exam, but YOU ARE NOT A FAILURE. Assess your study strategy: Did you follow this study plan to the letter? Did you give yourself enough study time? If you don't change your strategy, you'll get the same result.Reschedule your exam, but give yourself enough time to study. Talk to a mentor in the field you are applying to and ask what you can do to make yourself a good applicant (Step 2 score, visiting student clinical rotations, research, etc.)

DO NOT DISTRIBUTE! This product is licensed to Awab Hamid - [email protected] as of April 16, 2016