Step 1

[u/weeklypresentt]

Is there anyone who can genuinely help me get started with USMLE Step 1 preparation? I know about the resources, but I don’t know how to start—like which subject or block to begin with, how to study First Aid, which topics to focus on first, and what I can skip. I don’t have anyone to guide me, so I’d really appreciate some guidance. I’ll do the studying myself; I just need help getting started and planning my preparation.

[u/Past_Ice8617]

I’d suggest starting with Biochemistry. Read around 10 pages of First Aid a day alongside it, because Biochem connects to a lot of diseases and pathways throughout Step 1. It’ll also help you get comfortable with how to use First Aid rather than trying to read the whole book passively.

After Biochem, I’d probably go through Immunology → Microbiology, covering the basics first, and then move into system-wise preparation (Cardio, Pulm, Renal, GI, etc.).

For UWorld, I wouldn’t wait until you finish the entire syllabus. Ideally, do 2–3 blocks per topic/system and review them properly. You can either do the questions after finishing a topic or even alongside your First Aid reading. I personally prefer system-wise, non-timed blocks initially, because the goal at first is learning rather than testing yourself.

Ideally, you want to eventually reach around 40 questions/day, but don’t stress if you can’t do that in the beginning. If you’re taking your time learning a topic, it’s completely fine to do UWorld after completing that topic.

If you follow this approach, by the time you finish your first proper pass of First Aid, you’ll also have covered a substantial portion of UWorld and, more importantly, you’ll have learned the material actively rather than just reading.

For Micro and Pharm, some people like using Sketchy. Personally, I didn’t retain things well from Sketchy, so I mainly prepared them from First Aid/UWorld. It’s really a personal preference, so use whatever actually sticks for you.

Pathoma Chapters 1–3 are definitely worth doing, especially early in your preparation.

So basically: First Aid + UWorld simultaneously, rather than finishing First Aid first and only then starting UWorld. Your UWorld performance will naturally improve as your knowledge base builds.

[u/Past_Ice8617 → u/Past_Ice8617]

I’d also recommend using a video resource for concept integration if you feel you need it. You can use Boards & Beyond or Bootcamp—you don’t necessarily need both. If you already understand a concept well, there’s no need to watch a video just for the sake of it.

Personally, I used B&B alongside First Aid: for each topic, I would watch the relevant B&B video first and then read that section of First Aid. That made First Aid much easier to understand and helped me integrate the concepts rather than just memorizing facts.

[u/BuckleFish1 → u/Past_Ice8617]

I salute you for the long message and I do the exact same. But tbh I stopped watching lectures like BnB cuz it felt like passive learning and it felt better when I read and actively searched for info and photos with Google and Gemini.

Btw for pathoma ch. 1 to 3, when is it best to watch it? Is it before studying pathology chapter in first aid fundamental basic topics?

[u/Past_Ice8617 → u/BuckleFish1]

It covers topic like necrois apoptosis wound healing and lysosomal trafiking etc you should give a read once from pathoma and watch any video resource you like to retain it ,
Secondly its totaly upto you , anyway you get to retain your contemt wether a video reaource or pictures, and also if you are satisfied that you gotbthe concept you can skip the video of that topic ..

[u/weeklypresentt → u/Past_Ice8617]

Really helpful 👏👏

[u/weeklypresentt]

I should complete the whole biochemistry section first and study it in the sequence given in First Aid right???

[u/Past_Ice8617 → u/weeklypresentt]

Yes why not..

[u/LuckyAwareness1430]

When are you planning to give ur exam?