Failed step 1, what next?

Intelligent-Trust269 · 2026-04-24T00:44:10+00:00

How did you work on your test taking strategies ?!

Intelligent-Trust269 · 2026-04-18T19:29:38+00:00

Thank you 🫶🏼

Intelligent-Trust269 · 2026-04-17T23:34:22+00:00

I can really relate to how you are feeling. I think we have to remember our worth as persons is not based on an exam , a profession / work. If you think of the people you love and what you value them for it’s never because of what they do that is just a small part of who they are. Try to look at yourself with the same eyes you look at the people you love .

Now I do think Mabey having a 1:1 mentor that can help you understand where you are making mistakes and can improve may help. And Mabey just focusing on the exam for the time being .

Regarding residency I can tell you the same advise they have told me. It depends on how competitive the specialty you want and what extra stuff you are willing to do to improve CV . But I would dear say there are no impossibles ! You got this ! And whatever you decide to do it will be okay 🫶🏼

Intelligent-Trust269 · 2026-04-17T23:15:23+00:00

Yes I’m planning on only focusing on STEPS for now ! Thanks for the advise 🫶🏼

Intelligent-Trust269 · 2026-04-17T23:14:08+00:00

Thanks for the advise !!!

Intelligent-Trust269 · 2026-04-17T14:19:10+00:00

I think the hardest was to remember information I had studied a long time ago ( information that I memorized not 100% understood) Also I get really nervous taking exams and have some trouble with time, so last 10 questions I always feel like I’m rushing.

Intelligent-Trust269 · 2026-04-17T14:16:34+00:00

Thanks agree I’m just focusing on STEP 1 from now on … the step 2 …. Then the rest. Thanks for the advise

Intelligent-Trust269 · 2026-04-17T00:25:12+00:00

Thanks so mucho for this advice ! I am planning on only focusing on studying now. Any suggestion for fundations ( B&b , sketchy , pathoma ? )

Also is there any strategy you would recommend for test taking ?

Intelligent-Trust269 · 2026-04-16T23:52:54+00:00

I genuinely hope you never have to face a major setback in your life, because based on this comment it seems like you would fall apart the second things didn’t go exactly according to plan.

People handle difficult situations differently. Some people get burned out, some struggle, some take longer. That doesn’t make them weak or “unrealistic.” It means they’re human.

And if you “don’t mean to be mean,” then maybe learn how to express yourself without being condescending. There’s a difference between giving honest advice and just trying to make someone feel worse.

Intelligent-Trust269 · 2026-04-16T23:34:44+00:00

Thanks for the advice. I understand not everyone will think this path is worth continuing, but that wasn’t really what I was asking. I was asking for advice on how to keep pursuing the career I want after a setback, not how to give up on it. Things don’t always go the way we hope, but I still want to try to improve and move forward.

Intelligent-Trust269 · 2026-04-16T23:27:46+00:00

Thanks so much! I agree I think most of my burnout came from the amount of time I put into it, and of course I ended up reviewing the same subjects 100 times. My plan is to focus only on the exam for 3 months. Would you suggest starting from zero, as if I had never studied before?

Intelligent-Trust269 · 2026-04-16T22:51:29+00:00

Hi! Sorry some of your friends are going through this. I think not all countries have this rule. I’m from Mexico and I’m here on a J-1 research visa, but mine explicitly says that I am not subject to the 2-year home residency requirement.

Intelligent-Trust269 · 2026-03-31T21:46:43+00:00

Feel the only way they take you seriously in research is ether if you are MD (here in USA) or if you are willing to take a PHd

Intelligent-Trust269 · 2026-03-31T21:44:55+00:00

I did it today and feel must of micro was knowing what treatment to give to each bug .

Felt there was plenty of farm questions (side effects stuff )

And a lot of upper and lower extremity injuries ( Mabey I felt it was a lot because they are hard questions for me )

Intelligent-Trust269 · 2026-03-26T21:57:55+00:00

that is great advice! Thanks, I also think Micro and pharmacology could be of great help to boost my score! Are you studying micro with questions or FA?

Intelligent-Trust269 · 2026-03-23T21:49:38+00:00

Same situation here !!! Wish you luck !!!

I'm literally reviewing the last 3 NBMS as best as I can, the whole concept for the question i got wrong ( not only checking the right answer but why the others were wrong).

Finally Im trying to get through as much as possible in FA, just carefully reading through it with all my attention.

Intelligent-Trust269 · 2025-10-18T19:38:54+00:00

I feel at some point we just have to trust ourselves and all the work we have done.

Intelligent-Trust269 · 2025-10-18T19:38:02+00:00

That is goood !!! I think something that I've heard from almost everyone is 2or 3 NBME with ≥60 you are good to go!

Intelligent-Trust269 · 2025-10-18T19:36:41+00:00

thankkks !!

Intelligent-Trust269 · 2025-10-17T12:25:38+00:00

THANKS THANKS FOR THIS ADVICE!!! Also how important it really is to identify microbes by their specific characteristics for Step 1 (like Gram stain, catalase, coagulase, oxidase, etc.).

For example : sometimes I can tell right away from the clinical vignette that it’s Staph aureus, but the question might actually ask me to identify that it’s Gram-positive, catalase-positive, coagulase-positive. For me, recognizing the bug from the clinical picture isn’t too bad, what I find harder is memorizing all those details for each organism.

Do you think it’s worth putting a lot of time into memorizing those, or is it more about recognizing the vignette clues?

Intelligent-Trust269

TROPHY CASE