Test Coming Up? Watch This First

[@LJStability]

Pretty much spot on for what I did on my STEP 1 exam. Just a few more tips: 1. Have a buddy that can call you at a designated time just in case you oversleep. This happened to me one time during my first two years of medical school. If you want to be extra safe, have your computer on during the night but with a timer placed on it as well with an annoying ringtone. I did both and it was good knowing that I wasn't late. 2. Try not to listen to other test takers. I'm not sure why, but people tend to mingle and bitch about areas they found difficult. Instead, try to walk away and enjoy the outdoors a bit before testing or get some nice music on your phone to listen to before the exam 3. Wear sweatpants with no pockets. I took my practice exam at the test center for STEP 1 and the testing proctor took time to give me tips on what to do to make the test day easier by shortening the processing time in and out of the testing room. In general, doing a practice test at the testing center is a great idea. It's $70 dollars but everyone I knew that did it felt much more relaxed on test day knowing how to use the programs and knowing what the test center is like. You can also do the free 120 questions from the USMLE, which is a great way to get yourself in the zone. Oddly enough, I had a few questions that came from these free questions. 4. Another tip looking back that would've helped is not eating too much the night before. It sounds silly, but you don't want to be using the bathroom a lot during the examination. For lunch, I remember having a Jimmy Johns sandwich with a lot of hot peppers and that did a great job at keeping me alert and refreshed. 5. Scheduling your breaks is another good practice. I believe I took smaller breaks between each block and then got back to the exam. I think that works better than trying to rush through each block. The key is to find a rhythm that fits your personality. Some people need two blocks done before taking a break. I knew other people that just went through the exam one block at a time and only took time for lunch. There's no good answer for what works best 6. As for exam questions on test day, I noticed that each group of people had a different focus on their USMLE exam. For me, it was GI predominant questions. My other friend had a test for primarily pulmonary questions. And another had one with mostly immune system related questions. Oddly enough, I only got two antibiotic questions on my entire exam. No joke. This isn't unusual though. I hear my other colleagues mention similar things with other "high yield" areas as well. I think what helped me was focusing only on my weakest area leading up to the exam. I took an NBME exam and my weakest area turned out to be GI. So for the entire week, I watched Boards and Beyond GI videos, did GI questions, and went through everything GI. When I got my score back, I believe GI was my weakest area still but it wasn't as bad as it could've been. I'm very thankful for using the last week to focus on my weakest areas. It definitely was the best move I made. 7. Lastly, it's okay to show up earlier to the exam. My proctor let us in early and start the exam about 30 minutes earlier since she was going to have a lot of students come through. I ended leaving the test center a few hours early, which was really nice. I think I had a friend pick me up from the test center after wards 8. After the exam, I ordered a pizza and just rested. I think this time, I'll pick out a movie at the theater and do something besides coming back to my apartment. I think it's better to have something planned afterwards to get your mind off of "rehashing the exam". Everyone does it and it makes you feel like an idiot. You can't see the questions again so there's no point. But if you have a really good friend, it can be a good morale booster. I did that recently on my psych exam and my friend and I got pretty close scores when we received the results. 9. You guys got this. I did mine during the USMLE scoring days before it went pass fail. I'm not sure if they give you an actual score for your exam either way. It would be cool though since STEP 2 CK is scored. It would be a bummer if you couldn't see how you did so you know what to prepare for next time around.

[@autumnknox7108]

commeting so I can come back to this- very helpful thank you:)

[@perseus276]

Great tips!

[@ElizabethHelen]

Following

[@samsaurus7598]

I have my step 1 in 2 days. This really helped a lot thank you ^^

[@levernis5753]

Thanks

[@DemetriPanici]

Sleep and nutrition are a huge part of all of this. Great tips here!

[@kristinacatama1099]

NEVER underestimate the power of SLEEPING.

[@kg-ke1fw]

Overrated!

[@kristinacatama1099]

It's not coz not all people know the essence of sleeping.

[@zara4529]

Most underrated factor!

[@thelazyartist421]

I watch this video to pass my Cambridge O level and it really helped

[@daphnesun825]

Could you also consider doing a “So you want to be a dentist” (or some other dental specialist) video(s) and maybe also do a video on all (or most) of the medical school entrance exams and do some compare/contrast videos (ie. MCAT vs DAT)?

[@daphnesun825]

Although some parts of this video can serve some overlaps, could you also do a (or some) effective quiz taking strategies, finals prep strategies video(s)?

[@azylcailee6170]

the fact that this video was uploaded after I took my exam

[@daphnesun825]

Could you please do a (or some) videos on dentistry, dental schools, dental school admissions, exams, DAT, GPAs, stats, matriculation factors and/or dental specialties too? Possibly even videos on college classes to take in prep for dental school and/or courses to take in dental school too?

[@sairakudamara]

I am sure to try some of these! Well, ones which could help in elementary school

[@joyleenstrozier4295]

Excellent tips! Thanks for sharing!

[@HoaTran-pf8is]

Thanks so much for sharing! 😊

[@mememuseum7175]

med school insiders group project video plz

[@basicbiology3198]

plz I need this

[@veiled_sakura]

Wow! I honestly didn't know even doing a slight review of material shortly before the exam would be detrimental. I always thought with the whole recency effect thing, it might be at least a little beneficial not to cram per se, but maybe a small review shortly pre-exam. I've also recently established a set night and morning routine and even after just one day I'm feeling so much better! 🙏🏻🤍 Thanks as always for your gamechanger vids, Dr. J!

[@ellis6880]

Helping me even through high school 😅

[@kimberlybrabson4719]

I have the anxiety to study exams because I'd gotten distracted and overwhelmed, I really need help!

[@MedSchoolInsiders]

Check out our study strategies playlist! We think it'll help you with your concerns!

[@nnoemi_]

Can you make a video about when I need to study a lot of topic (33 questions to "unfold"-each are 5+ pages)? I'll have my state exam/final exam in December and I gotta study 250 pages and I'm soooo afraid :( Even tho I study landscape architecture (urbanism specialization) I still find you videos very useful

[@ajellison13]

That negative self-talk hit home for me, whewwww!

[@daanstam6697]

The big problem i have with hydration and test taking is that i usually constantly have to pee before a big exam, and sometimes i have diarea too, just because of the stress. And that is sadly with usually actively drinking less that morning. Is there something i can do to hydrate better but still not have to pee as much? That whole ordeal with constantly having to pee and being afraid you have to pee is also really stressfull obviously which doesn't help much. Also does oxazepam impeed memory retention and function? I sometimes use it at night when i am really stressed in an exam week but i feel like it makes my memory worse?

[@itsfj7889]

Beautiful video as allways

[@shanshenshincai]

Thank you! 🌻

[@annadesu9985]

Thanks a lot🙇‍♀️💛

[@m.k.2221]

Thanks 👍🏻

[@violetttttttt6036]

Could you please explain the role of a biomedical engineer in the hospital and surgery ???

[@lizzy4325]

I have a biology test in a couple of days and although it isn’t as big as an exam these tips definitely helped

[@aroshmtv1121]

Lot of love

[@nehanayak4861]

This is gonna help me in the future

[@jhaii.k4996]

Thanks!

[@luzmitoo]

Unfortunately I just watched this video 10 hours after my test. I just stopped studying 1 hour before the test, even though I had been preparing myself for over a year. I ended up being tired, stressed, and everything but relaxed during the exam. I would do everything to go back in time and stop studying AT LEAST 24 hours before the exam…

[@MedSchoolInsiders]

Apply what you’ve learned for your next test!

[@zara4529]

The problem with breakfast is that it makes me sleepy and brain fog!!! I always go to the morning exams without breakfast but I eat something 10 o'clock in the middle of the exam.

[@doviid8520]

I slept max 3 hours before a test in medschool.

[@ישראלחייםשווארץ]

Im now going back to school premed after furlough almost 2 years because I had to learn how to use the computer for the simulated biology labs gizo other simulations pasteing coypying all online I am failing my asychronis courses college algebra class which are the2 most importanant classes are online . anthropology english composition in person class of course 900 word essays

[@mastermitser5693]

CONVENIENTLY AWAKEN TELEPATHIC POWERS

[@peanutbutter369]

I thought fasting was better for cognition because of the reslease of Ghrelin affecting your hippocampus? So to fast or not to fast before an exam?

[@l8253]

I got a math test tomorrow and it's calculus

[@kazuki1906]

Can l as a question it really important l need to know it gine me axiety and depression and suicidal thoughts what if you fail one subject in high school can l still graduate it mathematics l'm horrible in the subject l try really l mean really try but l know all my answers are wrong

[@josecarlosesguerra434]

Wow

[@eishatomas2954]

I actually have a exam tomorrow 😐

[@jeinsuno8668]

Fun fact: this video is last minute

[@chickenshark9196]

pisti

[@SargeantRho]

i'm from brazil and want to study medicine in canada with no background besides high school in my country. can you offer this kind of service?

[@haydenpresson4782]

Does the same apply if you’re coked up on adderall and have super human focus and stamina