How to Pass USMLE STEP1 in 8 weeks

[@raedwaheed2943]

Thank you so much! Really needed to hear this advice. Trust me, in a few months, I'll be back to comment that I have managed to pass the USMLE Step 1!

[@Mrs_Kay-u7q]

Me too! I hope to come back with the same news in a few months!

[@ramonchen]

😃I am an IMG and I'm following your preparation plan. Only after I began trying this out by myself did I realize: Man! That's a huge amount of studying every week! It's very tiring to me. You are so powerful that you finished all of them! I'm seeing a significant rise in my NBME scores now because of this video, so thank you, thank you so so much!

[@AlexSuh]

Congratulations, you got this! Keep working hard and everything will pay off soon

[@ramonchen]

​@@AlexSuh Hi Alex, I just want to tell you that I passed step 1 OMG !!! My scores plateaued for several weeks too. However, your video and your encouragement motivated me so much in those most difficult days. We are so lucky to have you here on KZbin. I hope everything is going smooth for you too! 😇

[@hafsahuri746]

@@ramonchencongratulations!!🎉🎉 Just wanted to ask where I can get the study plan.I’d appreciate anystep 1 advice🥹

[@ramonchen]

@@hafsahuri746 ​ Thank you☺! His study plan is in this video (see 9:05). However, I didn't completely follow this plan. I modified it to fit my own situation. For example, I didn't find watching Sketchy very helpful to me, so I removed Sketchy from the plan. I also didn't do Uworld in the final weeks, but I spent more time reviewing my NBMEs.

[@alisonschultz4318]

Currently studying for Step1 and I keep watching this video over and over again. Your plan really helped me get on track and study efficiently. Thank you so much for being so transparent and realistic, you really helped me feel like I can do this!

[@AlexSuh]

You got this! glad the transparency helped - A lot of the stuff found on Reddit oftentimes hides the 'human/emotional' aspect of the process, so i'm glad that my story helped a little

[@usmle_survivals]

Thank you so much for your response and guidance ​@@AlexSuh

[@BlotchyScrawls]

Well done, and thank you for being transparent. THAT is what is going to help others - the truth! Congratulations 🎉 you deserve all the accolades! Well done 🙏 🙏 🙏

[@AlexSuh]

Thank you so much - when i was writing the script, i was unsure how detailed i wanted it. In the end, i the video i wish i had from day 1

[@egogoloba381]

Your video is the most therapeutic I’ve seen after scoring 54% on UWSA1 and exam is in 4 weeks. I was freaking out and didn’t know if that meant that I needed more time beyond the 4 weeks left.

[@AlexSuh]

Keep up the hustle! Currently studying for STEP2 - I also felt discouraged at points during this process, but looking back at STEP1 dedicated period, I think it's important to trust the process (even when you're not performing at your expectations), because you'll get there eventually. best of luck!

[@egogoloba381]

⁠@@AlexSuh I passed step 1 and wishing you luck on your step 2. I unnecessarily freaked out after UWSA1 and I think the problem was that I took it a little bit earlier than I was ready for it and I was not familiar with UWorld as I didn’t use it for my prep. After that fluke UWSA1, I studied for 2 weeks and scored 72% on NBME CBSSA 28 and subsequently scored a 78% on the new free 120 about 10 days before my test which skyrocketed my confidence! Your video helped me calm down and just focus on high yield stuff. All that said I think the only true representation of step 1 is free 120. The NBME practice is a representation of step 1 too in terms of covering the highest yield testable concepts but the difference is that the actual step 1 questions stem are way longer (a lot of the questions were essentially SOAP note) with a lot of information that a time are not needed to answer the question. My advice for those currently studying for this exam is to focus on NBME CBSSA practice exams. If you’re are passing and thoroughly understand the NBME concepts from those practices exams there’s no way you will fail step 1. Only make sure that your speed and time are fine because as I said the actual test has way longer stem than any practice test out there.

[@egogoloba381]

I passed step 1. I unnecessarily freaked out after UWSA1 and I think the problem was that I took it a little bit earlier than I was ready for it and I was not familiar with UWorld as I didn’t use it for my prep. After that fluke UWSA1, I studied for two weeks and scored 72% on NBME CBSSA 28 and subsequently scored a 78% on the new free 120 about 10 days before my test which skyrocketed my confidence! Review the free 120 but don’t expect to get more than 2 exact questions from it, I got one verbatim question on my test. Your video helped me calm down and just focus on high yield stuff. All that said I think the only true representation of step 1 is free 120. In my opinion free 120 should be taken as close to your test day as possible like a week or two weeks before to give you clear insight of whether you are ready or not especially in terms of speed and time management. If you fail free 120 = you are not ready and need more preparation. The NBME practice is a representation of step 1 too in terms of covering the highest yield testable concepts but the difference is that the actual step 1 questions stem are way longer (a lot of the questions were essentially SOAP note) with a lot of information that a time are not needed to answer the question. My advice for those currently studying for this exam is to focus on NBME CBSSA practice exams. If you’re are passing and thoroughly understand the NBME concepts from those practices exams there’s no way you will fail step 1. Only make sure that your speed and time are fine because as I said the actual test has way longer stem than any practice test out there.

[@AlexSuh]

thank you for your input. Great job, yea that was a tough exam

[@heavychic100]

Congratulations! Thanks for your advice. Where do I find the free 120 questions?

[@bush3883]

1. Take a diagnostic exam 2. Dont compare 3. Take diagnostic every week or at least every 10 days 4. Start early 5. Ditch Anki 6. Keep pushing forward, build endurance 7. Forgetting curve, review 8. Take breaks 9. Study by systems 10. 70% goal 11. Day before, dont study 12. 7 blocks 40 questions per day

[@AlexSuh]

Thanks for summarizing :) I feel like it's important to listen to the reaonsing behind every point to emphasize the story-telling aspect, rather than the actual raw study content. Hope it is effective advice for everyone who watches the video!

[@yazminjavier9704]

I just want to say thank you ! This is very helpful. Very realistic!

[@AlexSuh]

I was aiming for transparency! glad it helped :)

[@Lelouch368]

My Fav is Staph Aureus (The one that started it all 💪)

[@AlexSuh]

first to read the description!!

[@truthteller2711]

Unpopular opinion but as someone who took step 1 I discourage abandoning Anki as long as ur not doing more than 500 a day. U can suspend the step 1 only cards after the exam and it’ll make step 2 more bearable 👍

[@AlexSuh]

For sure agree! I started unsuspending my STEP2 cards now - but it does get tough when i have even >300 per day. In terms of STEP1, it gets a little too unbearable towards the end

[@basilwilson3815]

I just failed the USMLE exam. 😔🥺 I cannot begin to articulate the level of embarrassment and heartache I'm feeling. This is so heartbreaking 💔

[@cynthiamorgan4184]

Well! Mann I've taken the Step 1 for the second time now and still didn't succeed, I wonder how those who succeeded did it

[@katherinemanneback8844]

I have been putting off taking the USMLE exam for a while bc I'm afraid I'II fail it. That book full of problems feels so daunting when you think you have to relearn everything from the beginning. Glad I ran across this video ,

[@yulianagonzalez8897]

You'll know him Too? I even thought I was the only one he had helped walk through the fears and falls of USMLE STEP 1, Mr. Richard has brought me out of the trenches and to a better living, and I encourage repeat exam takers to work with him.

[@cristalm3606]

Thank you for sharing and being transparent. I really appreciate that, and it has helped me a lot to stay encouraged and keep pushing even if my first few scores are not what I was expecting. Thanks again

[@AlexSuh]

eveyone starts at different spots! Glad the transparency helped- felt like it was needed to get the "motivating" point across through this video

[@bananamangoes01]

I am so thankful for this video Thank you so much and I hope you grow to become the most fulfilled and skillful doctor out there

[@AlexSuh]

will always keep trying my best!

[@claudiaalonso5250]

Amazing video!! Thank you so much for sharing all of this, definitely super helpful and very encouraging. I just started my preparation and I'm getting very similar scores, thank you for the motivation to keep going!! Congratulations!!!

[@AlexSuh]

go crush the test!!

[@hussammohamed6401]

THIS GEM THAANKK YOUU TONSSSS

[@melisantamaria1783]

thank you so much, I will use your schedule :)

[@AlexSuh]

Best of luck!!

[@thepersonaofgrace]

Great video! Thank you so much for al the info, definitely very helpful

[@AlexSuh]

best of luck!

[@atefmd2232]

I rarely fo comments but thnx for that experience wish u a great career ahead Bro, the shirt in 1min,34sec is the eyptian football shirt 🔥❤️

[@AlexSuh]

Good catch!!!

[@DUNNIIv]

You have got a new subscriber Love from Nigeria❤

[@AlexSuh]

Planning on visiting Nigeria one day!

[@gloryekpe409]

Wow​@@AlexSuh

[@rajmathew6220]

Love the transparency here, it goes beyond any other video of this nature. Hope it goes viral. Can you share the anatomy HY deck you mentioned?

[@AlexSuh]

ankiweb.net/shared/info/1288835786

[@HayaShuja]

it was very helpful

[@rhosoojin191]

You are so inspiring !

[@emeksb4823]

Congratulations.

[@AlexSuh]

Thank you!

[@tariqqayum1609]

Thank you so much!

[@honeyaashraf6149]

I’m looking for the sketchy pharma video link .I can’t afford it I’ll be grateful if anyone will share it with me TIA

[@criticalpotat0]

Nah bro have to buy

[@mandgg]

thank you so much fort this video

[@AlexSuh]

glad it was helpful!

[@amelfatima]

Thank youuuuuuu big relate

[@user-wg8fg7ke2i]

Hi! I’m noticing sketchy pharm is taking me too long, do you think pixorize pharm is sufficient with its cards in Anking. Love the video btw!

[@AlexSuh]

some of my classmmates thought that pixorize was sufficient, but I swear by Sketchy. If the cards are too cumbersome, then you could skip through the ones that feel lower-yield. Best of luck

[@williamsanthony5554]

I just failed the USMLE exam. 😔🥺 I cannot begin to articulate the level of embarrassment and heartache I'm feeling. This is so heartbreaking 💔

[@hilliard226]

Just say "I haven't passed yet." Don't take it as a failure but see it as a learning opportunity. There is a lot of power in "Yet", you are telling yourself that you will get there and that your eyes and heart are still fixed on your goal.

[@Madeline-gn3rx]

You will pass I believe everyone has their season, just keep going pray, and believe you will receive

[@NathanWilliams-sq4nc]

I failed 3 times, and I lost money to reviews that never helped but the major thing is that I've not lost hope

[@JinTao-ps7yi]

I took the step 1 last month. I'm very disappointed, the exam is not even close to the practice material that the prep book sells online. The level of difficulty is like 5x or 6x.

[@rhondabhubbard]

I'm sorry about your plight my friend but I was once in your shoes before I was recommended to Mr Richard Brown and that's how I passed My STEP 1

[@ahmedtawfik2575]

Amazing video, tysm! How many questions have you done before Jan, 9? And how many practice questions have you done in total? Just finished M1 and spending sometime over the summer to review M1 content; I feel like I forgot 80% of it!

[@AlexSuh]

you're already ahead of the game! I did 0 qustions before Jan 9 (bc I was focused on acing my in-house exams). This is why my scores were not where I wanted them to be, so I really had to cram for the exam. It all comes back towards the end!

[@rodrigokoeche5186]

True hero

[@AlexSuh]

:)

[@charachinwendu4373]

Thanks for this piece! What videos do you recommend

[@AlexSuh]

Boards and Beyond Sketchy Pharm and Micro Dirty Medicine Biochemistry Pathoma

[@parveenqureshi7972]

I watch your video everytime I loose motivation and I get a little bit of confidence back. Thank you so very much for sharing. I go through this emotions everyday. This is very very very helpful. The plan seems very realistic. The only thing that I am still having confusion with is how did you manage to get 59% in your 2nd NBME exam when you weren’t done with studying all the systems by then ?

[@AlexSuh]

Much of the knowledge was from my in-house lectures over the last 18 months at my University. I was not studying from scratch

[@Doinmabestt]

Don't know if youll see this but hey, I have two choices Trap my self in 3 months only Or keep studying for 5 months then have a 2.5 months gap then restudy Have been studying for about 2 years now with like million on/offs and I feel down and sooo behind (have about 5 systems that havent touched yet and most of rest havent done their uw) And even if I push my self I'm afraid I'll fail🥲 what do i do

[@AlexSuh]

I recommend pushing through for 3 months stragiht instead of implementing a gap. There is a "forgetting curve" that may cause issues if you stop studying. Keep up the hustle, you got this.

[@Doinmabestt]

@@AlexSuhthank you for replying! I’ll do it I’ll give my best and I hope I get my stuff done in no time❤❤ wish me luck doc❤❤

[@manbirsingh9739]

Hi Alex, did you use a digital version (PDF) of First Aid or the paperback edition. Thanks for the amazing video...

[@AlexSuh]

I used paperback, but digital should be sufficient as well.

[@MohammedSayed-fq6uf]

The Egyptian jersey is a whole another topic that you need to tell us about. 🇪🇬

[@AlexSuh]

Will do in a future video!

[@user-sg5ok7ni3n]

Hey! Thank you so much for this video!!! For someone who feels slightly behind, I was wondering if you began step 1 studying before this 12 week period/ if you had anki unsuspended for all of the cards before this 12 week period.

[@AlexSuh]

Technically, i was studying for STEP1 since the first year of medical school. It wasn't until that 12-week period that I started reviewing old/new material. I previously unsuspended some anki cards for their dedicated blocks, then suspended them thereafter.

[@kev10roma]

Hey thank you for the vid. Not sure if i missed this but want to know what the parts in your excel sheet mean when you have for example Pathology General Principles (41), or Cardiology (419). Thanks!

[@AlexSuh]

Those are the total questions for the category so I can ballpark estimate how many questions I have to get done

[@FatimaBoud99]

Hi Alex thank you for helping and being transparent 🙏. Would like to ask if you have an advice how to build a revision system from the beginning while progressing on step 1 prep to overcome that forgetting curve without 100% relating on Anki as those cards eventually will keep building up endlessly and it becomes harder and harder to progress through?

[@AlexSuh]

you can undoubtedly still use Anki - I would recommend unsuspending cards that pertain to topics that you find challenging - it's just that when you have 300+ cards a day, it takes away from other time to do practice questions. After doing your weekly practice NBME exams, also look at the topics you seem to struggle in and spend extra time (re)learning those sections. It will be a constant battle reviewing older topics while learning new ones.

[@jyotidubey1008]

Hi Alex ! Thanks for ur wonderful video. It's a great motivator guide for all groping in dark of how to go about it. Request you to share your daily timetable and weekly timetable for me to follow. One more question . All the resources which you purchased were text books or online resources. And which is better . I am used to online learning rather than books

[@sr689]

Thank you❤

[@sr689]

I am in med4 year 2. I will take my exam in September probably. Do you have any study advice for me?

[@kelvinokolocha765]

Thnx for this video Saw you did a certain amount of uworld question..was it randomized per week or based on subject?

[@AlexSuh]

Based on subject. Eventually scrambled as I got closer to my exam

[@kelvinokolocha765]

Thank you 🙏🙏🙏

[@SketchyLearning]

we try not to play favorites 🤪

[@AlexSuh]

you were my favorite resource by far!!!

[@SketchyLearning]

@@AlexSuh ❤

[@aminanasari2079]

Hey! Were you watching the bnb vids and then doing the corresponding cards the same day? and did you keep up w the anki? i feel like without doing the anki, the vids might not stick but also doing the anki takes super long

[@AlexSuh]

I would not recomend doing the corresponding anki cards with BnB, that would be too aggressive. I started to wean down anki cards towards the end because it's more time effective to do questions instead.

[@aminanasari2079]

@@AlexSuh Thank you! I think I wukk watch the videos and skim FA then do qs! Maybe keeping up w only the pathoma and sketchy pharm/micro cards throughout dedicated

[@makomenteshashvili6959]

thank you so mucccccccccch

[@AlexSuh]

You're welcome 😊

[@khadijaali8701]

I have my step 1 in 2 months but my uworld scores are very low 40-50% is it very bad? What should i do

[@AlexSuh]

2 months out, I scored a 45%. Keep working hard!

[@alexanderchochev3589]

When you say diagnostics, what resource or site are you referring to? A little confused with regards to what you mean by doing a diagnostic every week.

[@AlexSuh]

diagnostic = NBME practice exam or UWorld Self-Assessment

[@Dr.Muskan.24]

Can you share your pathoma and sketchy anki decks?

[@achitpol_t9805]

Maybe Duke's Pathoma and Pepper Sketchy ?

[@Dr.Muskan.24]

@@achitpol_t9805 yes

[@justinmorrison1338]

Thanks for sharing! Did you also do anki for Dirty Medicine biochem or just watch the videos?

[@AlexSuh]

just watched the videos, and took a few notes here and there. His stuff is super high yield and may come back during clerkships

[@hades8737]

I’m in highschool currently will join college in a few months for pre-med and this is honestly pretty depressing 😅

[@AlexSuh]

make sure you know why you want to be a doctor before pursuing the path...

[@bendoes1012]

Not bad, well done

[@alirazabinakram4876]

thanks for sharing useful links in description. can you tell me from where we have to prepare physiology for USMLE? please

[@AlexSuh]

i would use UWorld as the primary resource. Consider watching boards and beyond physiology videos

[@jaymata1218]

Getting it down in 12 weeks is impressive. How much of anki did you stay on top of prior to dedicated?

[@AlexSuh]

I tried keeping about half my Pathoma anki cards unsuspended (especially Ch 1-3). I ended up suspending Sketchy because I was able to remember the concepts more easily.

[@omairsayad]

i am ready but i dont have koney

[@mohammedarar3073]

how can i take the diagnostic test??, that you said to take earlier and where can i take it

[@dr.cherub.kharbanda]

What is a diagnostic score? And exam?

[@zahraniaz2524]

Can u plz share the anki desk link too

[@reticenceofpain]

Did you buy the exams every week?

[@mavadarakia9353]

hello thanks for your shared experience where can i fine anking ??

[@AlexSuh]

www.reddit.com/r/medicalschoolanki/comments/swjqzh/anking_overhaul_step_1step_2_version_11_update/

[@mohamedthabet9202]

1:35 Egypt football T shirt

[@edm1852]

You weren’t studying any microbiology and virusology ?

[@AlexSuh]

All included in Sketchy Micro!

[@drn2359]

How about usmle rx? Learning with it a doing qns in it.? Have u heard anyone doing that?

[@AlexSuh]

I utilized USMLE Rx earlier in the semester, but found it was resource-overload. I recommend limiting your resources to the ones mentioned and UWorld.

[@DUNNIIv]

I would love to know the right anki decks you used?

[@AlexSuh]

www.reddit.com/r/medicalschoolanki/comments/swjqzh/anking_overhaul_step_1step_2_version_11_update/

[@DUNNIIv]

Thank you so much.

[@HayaShuja]

hey do u mean diagnostic test on u world or else where? timed of course?

[@AlexSuh]

uworld, USMLE, amboss, etc. wherever you can get an estimate of where you are at

[@thanatthamthospornvichai2324]

What did you use for Heme Onc?

[@AlexSuh]

For supplemental resources, I read through the tables in First Aid. You may want to consider unsuspending some Anki cards that pertain to the chromosomal translocations for some of the diseases.

[@danellyaniku]

Where can I buy the resources

[@Jose-frank]

His availability on

[@Jose-frank]

MrBen44

[@user-dz8vf8mv1l]

Hello Alex do you have flash cards?

[@AlexSuh]

Go download AnKing!

[@isabelgonzalez-bocco3200]

can you share the Biostats playlist?

[@AlexSuh]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bWbTgoN4Zrd5a5Isi=4OOCWcgbwagF8iJl

[@Abigiyaberassa]

Is it okay to use first aid 2023 for usmle 2024?

[@AlexSuh]

it should be fine! Can't imagine medicine changing that much in one year :)

[@esraaabdalgader1798]

For Neuro What are you doing?

[@AlexSuh]

Boards and Beyond is good, but my in-house school content was sufficient

[@drn2359]

Is there a way to get free pathoma and sketchy anywhere

[@AlexSuh]

there are ways, but you may need to ask around...

[@faiona2120]

I’m worried that my basic knowledge is lacking, but I've been working hard and improving in clinical practice. Do you think I can pass the USMLE in just four months?"

[@AlexSuh]

i think you cna do it in 8 weeks!

[@faiona2120]

@@AlexSuh really? 😔I'm very worried about taking the exam and failing, especially since it's challenging for me. I'll only have the summer vacation available for studying, and I plan to study for a specific duration of 9 hours per day. At the end of the month, there will be a review. people around me keep saying that I need a whole year to pass, and it's causing me to feel discouraged

[@aseelbalubaid]

what about mehlman pdfs

[@AlexSuh]

Melman pdfs are a great review resource. However, much of his material was taken straight from the NBME sample tests, so they will inherently falsely elevate the practice test scores. IMO, they should only be reviewed AFTER all the practice tests have been taken.

[@anjafernandez758]

Which videos are you talking about ?

[@AlexSuh]

Boards and Beyond Sketchy Pharm and Micro Dirty Medicine Biochemistry Pathoma

[@emeksb4823]

I love how you said you are about to go to war. It is actually a battle lol.

[@AlexSuh]

in the grand scheme of things, def was only a battle - but felt like terrible in the moment 😅

[@emeksb4823]

@@AlexSuh yea that’s how I feel as I’m trying to prepare for a huge exam.

[@ZainabZaheer-q3f]

What are diagnostic test??

[@AlexSuh]

you can get them on the NBME website

[@陶燕-w4x]

how can we get the systemic study video？

[@DAWuuD_7890]

1:35 why are u wearing the Egyptian national team shirt 😭 I am Egyptian and i don’t wear it 😭 , that’s so cool tho shows u have style

[@AlexSuh]

HAHAHAA, that's a video for another day that was never able to make. Good catch!

[@DAWuuD_7890]

@@AlexSuh haha ok doc I’ll be waiting Thx

[@shaikshafi1284]

Wonderful i myself an img i don't know anything about nbme self assessment can you give a comment regarding it 1) can i take it in home with on my mobile 2) can i buy it myself and write it myself without involving the college or any other institution 3) is it efficient You may find some questions silly bit i have zero knowledge in these issues as none my friends know about usmle so olease provide a comment .

[@AlexSuh]

1. Would recommend taking on a laptop, but you may be able to do it on a mobile device 2. Yes, you can take independently of an institution 3. Most efficient way to test pre-clinical knowledge

[@shaikshafi1284]

@@AlexSuh thank you so much 🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@aneelsakhi4741]

where can u take diagnostic exam?

[@AlexSuh]

www.nbme.org/ Amboss also has free diagnostic tests, which I took for my first exam. Otherwise, you may be able to find other NBME exams floating around on reddit or other google drives.

[@futureleader8832]

Bro you passed cause you have the egyption national team T shirt .🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@AlexSuh]

Mo Salah gave me the power i needed

[@ani_rajkumar]

Typical wannabe guy with all his little anki pathoma sketchy thingies🤡