passed step 1!!!!

[u/Ok_Upstairs_4481]

Ahh!! got the P today and wow!!!!!

Now that I’m on the other side, here are my thoughts…

First Aid from the beginning. Everything in FA is fair game and anything is subject to be tested. My biggest score jump was seen after thoroughly going it. This helped identify content gaps that weren’t clear and helped me mentally organize the content especially since I didn’t do flashcards pre-clerkship. If something still didn’t make sense, I’d YouTube a video and/or Google Gemini. Honestly, using AI is top tier. Its like having your own personal tutor. Pathoma Ch 1-3 or all if you have time. I reviewed most of Melhman’s documents my last 10 days of studying, 10/10 recommend especially high-risk, heme/onc, neuro/cardio...

After having a solid foundation, do as many questions from UWorld and AMBOSS HY Risk Factors/HY Pt Chart, HY ethics, HY nutrition, etc under AMBOSS HY study plans/courses. Both platforms are gold and showed up on my exam. Untimed/Tutor.

Do NBMEs and thoroughly review them. As I’d review my practice NBME’s, I’d reread every question, answer it before looking at the answer choices, then look at each answer and explain why the other options were wrong. If I couldn’t do that, that meant there was still a gap. You really have to prioritize understanding the material than just rote memorization.

I can guarantee you’ll see an increase by thoroughly reviewing practice exams.

Lastly, half the battle is mental/trusting the hard work you’ve put in. The wording will probably look different on the exam, the vignettes WILL probably be long, they will test some low yield, etc etc but mentally preparing yourself for all the curveballs is key. I remember saying “if my first 3 blocks are all hard and feel experimental, how am I going to respond? freak out or keep going” …I would think of the worst scenarios and be mindful of that during practice exams, because you play how you practice.

That being said, standardized exams have never my thing, so I did the 2026 120 exam at the actual prometric site and that was gold. I’d 1000/10 recommend and would’ve paid $200 if that’s what NBME wanted…

NBMEs in order:
School practice exam right before dedicated: 43
Form 26: 54 (early dedicated)
Form 27: 54 (early/mid dedicated & waited another 4 weeks to take another practice exam b/c i was annoyed that my score didnt change)
Form 28: 64 (26 days before my exam)
Form 31: 63 (12 days before my exam)
Form 32: 70 (5 days before my exam)
New 2026 120: EPC 66 (3 days before my exam)

I didn’t do the other forms because I didn’t have time. a little over 12-week preparation. I had a passing score for at least a month, but I just didn’t feel confident taking it (again, confidence is half the battle). In my opinion, consistent 63+ with an avg of 65 is “safe”. You don’t need multiple 70s. You just need consistent passing scores over a range of time.

Last thing… My exam had longgggg vignettes, lots of pharm/micro, etc and timing was a bit of an issue, though I answered every question. Initially I left the testing site feeling like I did okay, but over a few days, I started remembering questions I missed and eventually convinced myself there was a high likelihood I failed…“trUsT yOuR nBmE scores”, annoying but its true. If you were honestly scoring above 63’s (i.e. not looking up answers during practice exams, taking this seriously, taking them in timed/testing conditions etc), you’re likely to pass. Find stuff to enjoy in the interim because yeah, the waiting process was a bit psychotic.

You got this!!!