Medical students in the United States (and many around the world) are required to take the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1, the first of three medical licensing exams. Most are aware they have to take the exam, but beyond that, they’re often unsure about when to take USMLE Step 1, what they should do to prepare for it, and how they register for the exam.
If you’re in this camp, fear not. This post will discuss how to figure out when to take USMLE Step 1, give you some great tips for your dedicated study period, and show you how to schedule your exam date.
Let’s dive in!
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When should you take USMLE Step 1?
Broadly speaking, the exam is usually taken at the end of your second year of medical school, prior to starting clinical rotations. (There’s more to it than this though, as we’ll see shortly.) In fact, most medical schools require their students to have Step 1 completed prior to starting third year clinical rotations. Obviously, check with your institution to see what their policy is.
Here are some tips for determining when to take USMLE Step 1:
1. See when your dedicated study period is.
Find out what your school has set aside for your “dedicated” Step 1 study period. This is usually 4-6 weeks where your only task is to get ready for the exam. This is a key time you want to take full advantage of, so be sure to see what they have scheduled for you.
2. Your practice data will indicate when to take USMLE Step 1.
During your study period you’ll see fluctuations in your practice test scores, percent correct on Qbank blocks, and experience triumphs as well as failures. Rest assured, you’ll notice a trend upwards until your scores begin to plateau.
When you start to see a plateau or a consistent uptrend in scores, it’s time to take the test. This plateau happens at different times for different people. I recommend scheduling your test later in your dedicated period and then rescheduling it to be sooner if you hit your plateau early on, rather than scheduling it early and having to push it back.
The key to scheduling your test is taking it at a time when you feel confident enough that you will be able to take it and know that you did the best that you could do.
3. Your plateau tells you when to take USMLE Step 1 and avoid exhaustion.
There’s this idea that you can over study and develop “burnout.” You may study too long for the test and your scores may begin to decrease due to fatigue. For this reason, it’s important to keep a close eye on your score trend and confidence level. When you plateau, take the test. You’re at your peak, and waiting any longer can lead to burnout.
How do you schedule your Step 1 exam date?
Now that you know when to take USMLE Step 1 and we’ve reviewed some tips on how to prepare, let’s talk about how to schedule the exam. You can do so quickly online with the following steps:
1. Apply for the exam.
The first step is to apply for the exam on the USMLE website. There you’ll find links to apply for the test through either the NBME if you’re from the US or Canada or through the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) if you’re from a school outside the US or Canada.
2. Get your USMLE ID.
If you are applying through the NBME, you’ll be prompted to log in with a USMLE ID. In order to get your ID, you’ll need to click on “Register Here” next to the question “First time user?” at the bottom of the login page. Fill out the requested information and you’ll obtain your USMLE ID. Once you receive this number you’ll be able to log in and apply for your exam.
3. Pay the fee.
The fee for the test is about $700 so it may be prudent to do a little bit of saving prior to applying.
4. Schedule the exam.
Once you register, you’ll have a three-month period during which you can schedule your test. Remember to schedule your test for late in your dedicated period and then reschedule it to be sooner if you hit your plateau earlier, rather than scheduling it early and having to push it back.
You’ll schedule the exam through Prometric. Click on this link and you’ll see a list of options along the left-hand side. Navigate to the “Schedule” section and follow the prompts to make your testing appointment. You’ll also notice the list includes options to reschedule and to confirm your appointment.
I recommend making a specific folder in your email for all Step 1 communications. This includes your scheduling permit (which you’ll need to bring to the test center), confirmation of your test application (which includes multiple important identifying numbers), and, eventually, your score.
How should I study for Step 1 during dedicated?
Most of you will have been preparing for this test throughout your first two years by using third party resources and your school’s curriculum. The purpose of “dedicated” is to get through practice questions, refresh yourself on all necessary material, and take practice tests.
Here are my tips for making the most of your dedicated study period:
1. Purchase a good Qbank.
You’ll hear a huge number of recommendations on how you should study and what resources to use. Your decision will depend greatly on the resources at your disposal. In general, I recommend purchasing a reputable and detailed Qbank that has a broad range of questions and excellent explanations. This way you’ll be both practicing for test day and learning.
2. Use flashcards.
I also recommend the use of flashcards. Flashcards are great to use while eating, taking walks (please continue to be physically active), and as a cooldown at the end of the day while watching your favorite show. Using a flashcard system that utilizes spaced repetition will ensure you get multiple exposures over time, which will help with retention.
3. Find study resources that focus on high-yield material.
Finally, I recommend a short but thorough resource that goes through high-yield material. You can go through it multiple times during dedicated study to ensure you know the most important topics like the back of your hand.
Ultimately, having a consistent, smart study plan that keeps you accountable will be the key to success. Thousands of medical students use Blueprint’s Med School Study Planner to save hours of planning time, see exactly what to do each day, and ace their med school exams. Get unlimited FREE access today!
Final Thoughts
Medical professionals are trained to be data-driven, so why should it be any different when deciding when to take USMLE Step 1? Keep an eye on your practice exam scores, and when that plateau arrives, you know it’s time to test. Use practice data to determine your test date, follow our other scheduling tips, and soon Step 1 will be in the rearview mirror.
Happy studying, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you need further assistance or information!
Looking for more (free!) tips to help you pass Step 1? Check out these other posts on the Blueprint blog:
