Free USMLE guides
Failed before
A previous attempt, and how to pass the next one. 9 guides.
By Dr. Marish Asudani · Published · Updated
I failed Step 1. How do I pass the next attempt?
Start with If You Failed Step 1 Once: Retake triage for Step 1 failers: the 3 common mistakes, 68% on NBME 31-33 test, 4-day renal rebuild test, NBME-phase Anki rule, Vault Assessment. Then Delete Reddit Before Step 1 and 3 Tips to Avoid Failing Step 1.
Proof
Students who failed before, then passed with Dr. Marish
Their scores, timelines and pass reports.
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Start here · Day-by-day plan
If You Failed Step 1 Once
Retake triage for Step 1 failers: the 3 common mistakes, 68% on NBME 31-33 test, 4-day renal rebuild test, NBME-phase Anki rule, Vault Assessment
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Mindset
Delete Reddit Before Step 1
Why Reddit's '60-65% on NBMEs is fine' advice and fear-mongering hurt IMGs; restates the readiness bar (above 68% on NBME 31, 32 and 33, offline) and lists the guides to read instead
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NBME strategy
3 Tips to Avoid Failing Step 1
3 rules to avoid failing Step 1: never take it below 68% on NBME 31-33, a fixed last-2-weeks plan, and 1-2 full 280-question assessments
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Day-by-day plan · 12 weeks
You Already Did UWorld — The 12-Week Plan
12-week Step 1 comeback plan for students who did most of UWorld months ago: audit, 5 weeks consolidation, Foundation Anki, NBME Anki, forms 29-33
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NBME strategy
Stuck at 62–65% on NBMEs
3 moves to break a 62-65% NBME plateau: Mehlman + AMBOSS for weak systems, Randy Neil and Mehlman Arrows PDFs, NBME Booster deck system-wise
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Method
Why UWorld Is Not Enough for Your NBME Score
Why finishing UWorld doesn't raise NBMEs: understand/apply/recall First Aid with FA Guide, Mehlman, Foundation Anki, then revise all FA in 6 days
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NBME strategy
How to Know You're Actually Ready
When you're ready to book Step 1: above 68% trending on NBME 31-33, ~25-min block pacing, 1 full 14-block day
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Method
10 IMG Mistakes in Step 1 Prep
10 common IMG Step 1 mistakes in order (content phase and NBME phase), each with its fix and link
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Mindset
Canon Events — and the Fix for Each
10 common IMG prep mistakes (new plan weekly, B&B, UWorld cold, NBME 28 first, online NBMEs, 2 sets of notes, waiting for internship) and the fix for each
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Every guide here runs on one app
First Aid guide, Anki, NBME booster and assessments, in USMLE Vault.
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