Free USMLE guides
Study a system
Every Step 1 system, day by day, in the order you study them. 17 guides.
By Dr. Marish Asudani · Published · Updated
How do I study a Step 1 system from start to finish?
Start with How to Study Any Step 1 System in 5 to 7 Days: The fixed 5-step order for any Step 1 system in 5-7 days (micro/pharm, active reading, Mehlman, Anki, UWorld) plus every system's days and prerequisites. Then Renal, Start to Finish, in 6 Days and Respiratory, Start to Finish, in 6 Days.
Start here · Method
How to Study Any Step 1 System in 5 to 7 Days
The fixed 5-step order for any Step 1 system in 5-7 days (micro/pharm, active reading, Mehlman, Anki, UWorld) plus every system's days and prerequisites
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System plan · 6 days
Renal, Start to Finish, in 6 Days
Day-by-day 6-day renal plan: micro/pharm, FA pp. 596-628 active reading, Mehlman, Foundation Anki, UWorld renal with RPSR; renal is free on Vault
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System plan · 6 days
Respiratory, Start to Finish, in 6 Days
Day-by-day 6-day respiratory plan: 15 organisms + antihistamines, FA pp. 678-706 active reading, Mehlman pulmonary, Foundation Anki, UWorld resp
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System plan · 7 days
GI, Start to Finish, in 7 Days
GI for Step 1 in 7 days plus 1 nutrition day: micro, FA pp. 364-408 active reading, Mehlman GI, Foundation Anki, UWorld GI
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System plan · 7 days
Reproductive, Start to Finish, in 7 Days
Day-by-day 7-day reproductive plan: 14 organisms, FA pp. 630-676 active reading, Mehlman, Foundation Anki, UWorld repro; then endocrine
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System plan · 6 days
Endocrine, Start to Finish, in 6 Days
Endocrine in 6 days (plus 1 biochem day): carb/lipid metabolism, insulin pharm, FA pp. 330-361 with MCQs, Mehlman, Foundation Anki, UWorld
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System plan · 5 days
Immunology, Start to Finish, in 5 Days
Immunology for Step 1 in 5 days: 28 organisms paired with their defect, FA pp. 94-119 active reading, Mehlman, Foundation Anki, UWorld
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System plan · 6 days
Heme-Onc, Start to Finish, in 6 Days
Heme-onc for Step 1 in 6 days after immunology and 3 biochem pieces: FA pp. 410-448, Mehlman (a must), Foundation Anki, UWorld
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System plan · 6 days
MSK, Start to Finish, in 6 Days
MSK (without derm) for Step 1 in 6 days: 7 organisms, FA pp. 450-480 + 495-498, Mehlman, Foundation Anki, UWorld; derm done after
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System plan · 5 days
Psychiatry, Start to Finish, in 5 Days
Day-by-day 5-day psychiatry plan: FA pp. 570-594 with every page video, Neil Randy instead of Mehlman, Foundation Anki, UWorld psych
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System plan · 7 days
Neurology, Start to Finish, in 7 Days
Day-by-day 7-day neurology plan: prerequisites (genetics, MSK, psych, ANS), micro/pharm, FA pp. 500-569 active reading, Mehlman, Anki, UWorld
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System plan · 7 days
Cardiovascular, Start to Finish, in 7 Days
Cardiovascular in 7 days at 10-12 h/day: micro+pharm, FA pp. 284-328 active reading with MCQs, Mehlman, Foundation Anki, UWorld RPSR
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System plan · 3 days
Biostats and Ethics (PHS), Start to Finish, in 3 Days
Public health sciences (biostats, epidemiology, ethics) in 3 days: First Aid reading, playlists, FA Foundation decks, 6 UWorld blocks
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Day-by-day plan · 30 days
The 30-Day Plan: 6 Step 1 Systems, Day by Day
6 Step 1 systems in 30 days, day by day: renal, GI, repro, MSK, derm and psych, each with micro and pharm, the First Aid Guide, Mehlman, Foundation Anki and UWorld RPSR
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Method · 4 days per system
The RPSR Method — How to Solve UWorld
The RPSR method for UWorld: 4 prep days per system (FA Guide, MCQs, Mehlman, Anki), exact UWorld settings, per-question protocol, review in First Aid
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Method
When Is a System Actually Finished?
5-point checklist for when a Step 1 system is truly finished: all UWorld done, misses traced to First Aid, last 2 blocks >65%, Anki cleared
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Method
Never Save Questions for Random Mode
Why not to save UWorld questions for random mode, correct UWorld settings, and the 5-point checklist for when a system is truly finished
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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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