First Aid for Step 1: Top Mistakes

Are you gearing up to take the USMLE Step 1 using First Aid for USMLE? This video is packed with essential tips to help you use this key resource effectively. We'll dive into how to avoid common mistakes and provide strategies that can help you shift from just passing to excelling, especially now that USMLE Step 1 is a pass/fail exam. Whether you're just starting or are in the middle of your preparation, these insights will ensure you're fully prepared. Let's ace this together!

[radiologytutorials]

Great video Alec. Looking forward to seeing you channel grow!

[jameelashkar]

Hi, liked the video ! Nothing beats active learning ; easier said than done ! This is the antidote to these exams and overall becoming a wiser MD at the end ! Liked the video, 5 stars ...

[someonenotyou]

Would love to hear about how you do a “question/cognitive autopsy” after finishing a block of questions. Thanks for continuing to put out advice and tips! I’ve found it helpful even after graduating medical school. I’m always trying to improve my test taking and learning skills.

[cuentadesconocida]

Thank you so much for your video, Dr. Palmerton. I've truly been following you for a long time, in fact, since I was in medical school. I have been focused on the USMLE, and now that I’ve graduated, I need to take an exam with very similar fundamentals, which is the MIR exam in Spain. I am not from Spain, and during all my time in medical school, I prepared with resources and books from the United States. Now, I see a broader perspective on how many of the things I’ve done help me.

I’d like to ask for advice, as all the tips you give have been useful for me to apply them to the MIR. This exam, like the USMLE, doesn’t have a specific syllabus and organizes content by numbers. It’s a 4-hour exam with 210 questions, combining elements from Step 1, 2, and 3, with 10 questions featuring images. Unlike the USMLE, it’s only held in January, and you can’t reserve a spot in advance.

I digressed a bit from my question, but I need to absorb a lot of pathology and information. Many academies recommend reading their specific manuals for the MIR for 8 hours a day. This could be considered similar to using Step Up to study for Step 2, along with doing questions. However, their approach follows a cycle with 4 rounds: tests, study, classes, and mock exams on Saturdays. All the tests are clinical cases.

So, my question is: Should I focus more on doing daily clinical case tests (similar to UWorld) rather than studying the MIR-specific manual, and just use it as a reference for the tests, similar to how UWorld uses First Aid in their videos for the USMLE? Or should I follow the academy’s advice, which is 2 hours of tests, 8 hours of studying manuals, and 3 hours of classes?

I really appreciate all the videos you make—they help me so much. I am currently focused on the MIR exam, and I want to give it my all, not only to secure the position I want but also to help patients, which is the most important thing and the reason we all become doctors.

[amnazaheer]

What someone should do if their concepts are weak? Should they use first aid as the sole book or use some other resources? If yes, then what are those sources?

[NaghmanaBajwa]

Hi Alec, found your video very helpful.

[MyGrad-gudj]

My problem with NBMEs or UW is time management! When I do NBME without timed mode I get high score, but when it’s on timed mode it’s a huge difference!! How can I solve this problem? Should I do more UW questions on timed mode?

[raymondchinaza]

So for each topic in First aid, one needs to study it intensively, right?

Cos I'm currently preparing for the exam, your videos have been so helpful.

[ahmedSami-crpm]

Thanks!
Is every word in this book one that has previously appeared in the exam? Regardless of whether it has been repeated in exams or not, or are there some pieces of information included for completeness that have not appeared before?

If we want to assign a percentage to the supplementary information, what would it be?

[refaghsharhani]

‏Hi, thank you for sharing such important information. If I only study UWorld and NBME questions without studing the First Aid book, can I still pass the USMLE Step 1 exam?

[mekailkhan]

Hi Sir
I am 3rd year MD Student and i want to prepare my self for USMLE but i have weak background.
What you will suggest me that i start the FIRST AID or not
And another question thay how i start FIRST AID means from biochemistry or systematic start it ?

[bhavikpatel]

I’m afraid after 8 months of studying I did not improve

[noora.com]

Can i take nbme before finishing 100% of exam material especially if i want to book exam depending on my nbme scores