USMLE is a medical licensure exam in US and Canada. The subject for this exam is vast but it focuses more on the basic sciences. Our experts have listed six misconceptions that you should be aware of.
- Focus only on the concepts that friends got in their exam the previous week.
Never. Though you can get the syllabus of Step 1 from the USMLE.org, the examiners don’t follow a defined syllabus. Solving various question banks, taking Practice Tests may give you an idea of how the exam will be. But, you cannot expect repeat questions on the USMLE. So, depending only on your friends’ suggestions is a bad idea. Give equal importance to all topics. Don’t miss any of them!
- You don’t have to memorize anything if you know the concepts.
We agree that USMLE demands understanding concepts, but can you answer questions without exerting yourself? Competitive exams have comlex questions. You cannot answer questions related to diagnosis of disease if you are unaware of a certain virus, or life-saving drugs. Thus, you must memorize few terms and understand them too.
- I will pass if I read the First Aid thrice.
To each his own. We cannot judge one’s ability by the number of refresh study hours. There are students who can grab terms in just one go while others need two or three revisions. Also, First Aid is a review study material with thousands of major and minor updates. Even if you studied all the terms, it won’t help if you don’t understand or remember them. Use your instincts and plan accordingly.
- You need clinical experience to understand the concepts asked in the examination.
Not true. Most of us believe we need practical experience to do well in Boards as it is a licensure examination. Step 1 tests the knowledge you have gained from your medical school and how you apply it in practice. So, if you have a strong foundation and interest, you can explore the internet. You can understand even the most difficult concepts easily with videos and applications.
- Rescheduling the exam for next month because you are nervous.
Not a good idea. You have invested time in preparation and attempted many practice tests too. Don’t let the nervousness pull you back. All the things learnt during your medical school and prep are not going to vanish suddenly. Also, if you postpone the exam, you may forget the critical things you learnt. Just take the exam.
Good luck!
This post first appeared on Study Tips For Medical Entrance Test, please read the originial post: here
