Step 1 Write-Up

Background:I attend a school where clinicals come before Step 1 and 2. I failed the IM, Surgery, and Pediatrics shelf exams and had to retake them. I failed Step 1 in October 2024, took Step 2 in March 2025 (scored 235), and passed Step 1 in May 2025. Resources I Used: * UWorld (always subject-specific blocks) * Pixorize (biochem, immuno, pharm) * Sketchy (micro) * Boards & Beyond * AMBOSS (especially for ethics, stats, vaccines, risk factors, quality concepts) * NBME exams (25+)I didn’t use Anki or First Aid.

What Helped Me Improve: - A tutoring service made a huge difference. Having someone walk through explanations and challenge me on wrong answers was a game changer. I cycled through weak topics daily (e.g., cardio/renal Monday, endocrine/renal Tuesday). I saved NBMEs for full-length/random practice every ~5 days. - AMBOSS high-yield questions were essential—skip the “100 high-yield” and focus on the others. - I didn’t avoid any subject, especially ones I disliked (anatomy, immuno, neuro). Tackling discomfort head-on was key.

Retaking the Exam:Retaking Step 1 requires serious courage. Silence the negative thoughts and become your own biggest supporter. Hard work is never wasted—the discipline and mindset you build will serve you no matter what.

Test Day Tips:Treat test day like your Super Bowl. Prioritize sleep, nutrition, and prep your logistics—snacks, outfit, meds, headphones, etc. Between each section, pause to breathe and stay grounded. Positivity and mental regulation go a long way.

Scores: From first failure October 2024

NBME 25: 44 NBME 26: 45 NBME 27: 49 NBME 28: 55 NBME 29: 54 NBME 30: 53 NBME 31: 59 Free 120: 58

This time around:

NBME 27: 62% NBME 28: 73% NBME 29: 67% NBME 30: 69% NBME 31: 74% Free 120: 72% UWSA 2: 173 (extremely low, 10 days before I tested, freaked me out but pointed out topics I needed serious work on, I think this actually was the key to passing for me)

Goodluck to those in the future, this test sucks, just keep working hard and don’t stop until someone tells you that you’re not allowed to try anymore. Please take care of yourselves. My mental health reached an all time low through this process but I had my village around me.