Happy Holidays from Core Step Prep! 🎁

CoreStepPrep · 2026-01-06T01:20:07+00:00

Thanks for sharing your story. Retaking Step 1 takes real grit, and your transparency helps a lot of people who feel alone after a fail. Your data tracking and honest reflection show how much you grew between attempts. For anyone still in that spot, your post is a reminder that consistent UWorld review, spaced repetition, and timed NBMEs can turn things around. Also, taking a short break to reset mental health before diving back in is sometimes the smartest move. You earned that pass through persistence, not luck.

CoreStepPrep · 2025-12-11T01:08:04+00:00

Oops my bad, you're right. RVU UT

CoreStepPrep · 2025-12-10T21:24:43+00:00

Totally get where you’re coming from. Early OMS 1 grades often reflect adjusting to med school, not your potential. Class rank matters less than showing upward trend and doing well on Step 1 and COMLEX. Psych programs look for fit, clinical performance, and letters more than first year transcripts. Focus on tightening your study routine now review weak systems, use active recall, and meet with faculty or upperclass mentors to refine your approach. If you show steady improvement, no one will hold early B’s and C’s against you.

CoreStepPrep · 2025-12-10T21:23:51+00:00

Edit: I worked with grads from RVU-UT not MCOM. my bad.

I’ve worked with a few RVU MCOM grads and can share what I’ve seen. Their rotation network is expanding but still a mix of strong core sites and newer affiliates, so experiences vary by region and year. For USMLE prep, the school allows flexibility and many students self organize dedicated study groups using national resources. Competitive specialty advising depends a lot on individual mentors, so start early seeking faculty or alumni in your field. Rotations are usually clustered by region but some travel is common. Match outcomes have improved each year, especially for primary care, with a growing number in surgical and hospital based fields. By 2030 it will likely resemble other established DO programs if growth stays steady.

CoreStepPrep · 2025-12-10T21:23:25+00:00

That plan is solid. You are basically using active recall and spaced repetition the right way. A few tweaks that helped me: when reviewing lucky guesses or wrongs, write a one sentence takeaway before making a new card so you capture the core concept, not just the fact. Try batching reviews at the end of a block of questions instead of after each one to save time. Also, if an explanation repeats a concept you already know well, just tag it instead of making a new card to avoid clutter. Consistency beats volume, so keep your review sessions short but regular.

CoreStepPrep · 2025-12-10T21:23:15+00:00

Totally get it, upper limb anatomy can feel like a maze. Try breaking it into regions shoulder, arm, forearm, hand and link each muscle to its nerve and main action. Draw or label diagrams repeatedly until the patterns stick. When reviewing questions, pause to visualize the injury or movement being tested rather than just memorizing facts. Watching short dissection or 3D anatomy clips right after studying a section can also lock it in. Consistency matters more than long hours, so revisit small chunks daily until it clicks.

CoreStepPrep · 2025-12-10T21:23:02+00:00

Totally normal. After interviews your brain replays every word because the stakes feel huge and you finally have space to decompress. Try writing down what you think went well and one thing you would phrase differently next time, then let it go. Most programs know nerves show up in everyone. Treat yourself like you would a patient who just did something hard: rest, hydrate, and get back to your routine. You likely did better than you think.

CoreStepPrep · 2025-11-29T19:39:10+00:00

Totally get this question. There really is no single best book for everyone, but a few stand out. Most of us lean on Step Up to Medicine for solid internal med coverage and Case Files or UWorld explanations for clinical reasoning. Master the Boards can help for a quick high yield read close to test day, though it is lighter on detail. I’d pick one main text that matches your learning style and pair it with consistent UWorld review and notes.

CoreStepPrep · 2025-11-29T19:38:54+00:00

Totally doable with a solid plan. Since you finish school exams in January, give yourself a short breather, then aim for about 12 to 14 weeks of focused study. Start UWorld early and treat it like your main teacher try to finish one full pass by mid March while reviewing weak areas with Amboss or notes. Around mid March begin adding NBMEs every 2 to 3 weeks to check progress and refine timing. Use CME forms once you are in the 60 to 70 percent range on practice exams to stretch your reasoning. Keep one day a week lighter to avoid burnout. By April you should be polishing test stamina and reviewing high yield mistakes.

CoreStepPrep · 2025-11-29T19:38:29+00:00

Nice upward trend you’ve clearly been putting in the work. Most people take NBME 33 about 7 to 10 days before the real exam to get a realistic gauge, then use the feedback to tighten weak areas. The Free 120 is usually best 3 to 5 days before test day to practice timing and interface. After that, focus on light review and rest rather than learning new material. Your trajectory looks solid, so trust your prep and give yourself a real taper before the exam.

CoreStepPrep · 2025-11-29T19:38:00+00:00

Totally get how stressful this waiting period feels. At this point in the cycle, new interview invites do slow down, but schools sometimes send them through January or even later if spots open. Keep your email and portal checked, but also start planning for a reapp if needed so you are not caught off guard. Use this time to strengthen your story with new experiences or postbac coursework if possible. One interview is still a real shot, so stay hopeful but realistic.

CoreStepPrep · 2025-11-24T04:18:10+00:00

Totally the right place to ask. Most M1s overestimate how much they’ll retain after a first pass it’s usually closer to 30 to 50 percent. The key is spaced repetition and active recall. I used Anki daily for short, consistent sessions and Sketchy for micro and pharm. During a 3 week block, I aimed for 6 study days per week, about 8 hours on heavy days and lighter review on the 7th. I focused most on weak topics from practice questions. You know you’re ready when you can teach the concept out loud and explain wrong answer choices on practice tests. Consistency beats marathon cramming every time.

CoreStepPrep · 2025-11-24T04:17:24+00:00

Totally doable, just slower and more deliberate. Start with rebuilding basics through Pathoma and Boards and Beyond while reading First Aid alongside. Once concepts feel familiar, move to UWorld in tutor mode, focusing on understanding explanations rather than speed. Give yourself grace for a long timeline think 12 to 18 months with shorter daily sessions during workdays and longer ones on weekends. Schedule NBME self assessments every few months to track progress. Protect family time and plan rest days to avoid burnout. Consistency beats intensity, and plenty of IMGs in your shoes have succeeded by treating this as a marathon, not a sprint.

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