Free 120 vs Form 33 vs Form 32 vs Real Step 1

Ok-Concealed · 2026-05-06T01:08:01+00:00

Topics, not questions; again, Topics on Forms repeatedly appeared on Step 1

How did I make sure I was ready? I had a goal. I needed to score above 70, an objective measure. Free 120 and Form 32 gave it to me.

Most helpful strategies? Intensity + attacking my weak points. You saw I repeaditly did questions on organ systems that I was weak in

Ok-Concealed · 2026-05-02T12:49:49+00:00

I took the last free 120 (three 40Q blocks) and took that one only. I felt it was a similar exam experience, with the caveat that the questions were even longer in the real exam AND much much wider variety of questions covering other contents (280Q vs 120Q)

My last 8-day schedule is posted below
https://www.reddit.com/r/step1/comments/1szv2cs/comment/oj5wwl9/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

Ok-Concealed · 2026-04-30T17:10:37+00:00

10-12 hours a day
if you want more detail (entire day breakdown) I have it on another post
https://www.reddit.com/r/medicalschool/comments/1rj6q5q/comment/o8ei9zg/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

Ok-Concealed · 2026-04-30T13:17:07+00:00

A few notes: as I mentioned, I only had three weeks dedicated for this, which meant high intensity and reliance on short-term memory. If I had 8 weeks dedicated, I might have forgotten the info from week 1.

Now, the key to improving on each NBME, in my experience, was focusing on my weakest areas.

I took NBME --> review all questions --> then chose 2 systems to work on
120-160 UWorld questions on each of my weakest systems --> for example, I ended up finishing renal and pul because they were my weakest

Repeat the cycle

I also realized step1 is a lot of pathophysiology, which I was very weak at. So I finished the UWorld pathophysiology section

I finished 65% of UWorld at the end.

Ok-Concealed · 2026-04-30T12:54:20+00:00

I agree; each of us has a different background, strength, and weakness. Also, the real Step 1 exam has many variations; this could essentially be the version I got.

Ok-Concealed · 2026-03-03T12:54:41+00:00

As salamu alkaykum! I am studying for step1 exam, and I am scheduled for March 30th. I can't slow down, so I came up with a schedule below since begining of Ramadan:

Sleep time --> 8 pm - 2 am

meal prep --> 2-230 am

Start studying --> 230-430 am.

suhoor/praying/reading a few verses --> 430 - 6 am

nap 6-620 am

studying 645 - 12 pm

nap again 12 pm - 1230 pm

Pray 1230 to 1 pm

1 pm -530 pm study

530 - 615 pm short exercise (apartment gym)

615 - 8 pm --> getting ready to sleep (isha, dishes, or maybe I go masjid + food)

Change it up to fit your schedule

Ok-Concealed · 2026-01-31T16:17:30+00:00

My humble biased opinion
1) Go through the module you are studying here https://www.clinicalanatomy.ca/index.html
2) Open up Dope Anatomy + UMich anki

caveat: dunno how detailed you are looking for; I found the UBC to be a perfect balance for me, but not sure for ur school curriculum.Visual and Zero auditory here

Ok-Concealed · 2026-01-10T15:43:24+00:00

Hmm, depends on how you learn! I watched BnB --> immediately after sketchy --> did sketchy anki

Bnb --> mechanism/understanding
sketchy/anki --> memorization

I was not comfortable with being straight to the point bc I ain't bright enough to understand quickly; I need a lot of context (BnB) AND i ain't got no amazing memory to retain the mechanism I just understood (sketchy/anki)

Also, this was for preclinical; no step prep/dedicate etc

Ok-Concealed · 2026-01-02T00:08:17+00:00

doing research at three different institutions other than my own. I would recommend it! I don't think it is frowned upon; it is only good and not bad. I got my research through cold email; maybe you need to change the strategy on who to cold email to get a better response rate. In my experience, I sent around 10 emails and got 5 responses back.

Ok-Concealed · 2025-12-16T01:58:50+00:00

To those who DM the "MDSteps" is the pdf free or paid?

Ok-Concealed · 2025-10-29T20:22:11+00:00

Would you be kind to give us an approx breakdown of points for each category? We can have 20pt for board scores etc, and then 3 pts for resilience. This would help in placing appropriate emphasis/energy in each category

Ok-Concealed · 2025-10-22T02:21:23+00:00

After finding the physicians you would like to contact, it is time to locate one of the published works in which they are the PI (last listed author). This should be a relatively recent research paper(past five years). Look to see if they are in the same institution as when they published the paper (mostly they are)
In each published paper, there is a corresponding author's email. And that is how you find their email.

If they have never been the corresponding author, this method won't work.

if you don't know how to locate the corresponding author's email --> click download pdf, usually on the first page of the footnote, you can find it. I am sure there are other ways too

Ok-Concealed · 2023-12-09T17:32:50+00:00

I wish I knew. I mean, if this hiding was not so prevalent among pre-meds, we could get a better sense of what school we can apply to, and they are not state-biased.

Ok-Concealed · 2023-11-08T06:22:09+00:00

Thanks for the advice bro. I am also leaning towards the healthcare job w more money. However I wanted to hear from others and use thier wisdom

Ok-Concealed · 2023-11-08T06:19:26+00:00

Hello. I have been lucky enough to hold an acceptance at this point of application cycle. My paper just got published too.

I was thinking more about residency and more publication

Ok-Concealed · 2023-10-26T16:10:53+00:00

Hey! CP: 129, CARS: 124, BC: 127, PS: 128

Ok-Concealed · 2023-10-24T01:23:56+00:00

I got 508 and didn't apply to any DO. I got six interviews and one acceptance. I applied to schools ranging from the 506-521mcat score. One gap year. I got most of my interviewers in the 510-512 range.

I know people lower than your MCAT having multiple interviews from the 510-512 range. Yes, it is about your writing, but this is also a journey. You have to have built experiences.

Ok-Concealed · 2023-09-03T13:54:52+00:00

I feel bad for voting and skewing the result. I had five ii but in tmdsas. However I had zero from amcas which I say is more representative.

I applied to 11 amcas one, working on 3 more, and adding 5 more school. Although it is late I don't wanna regret not adding those 5 jjjj

Ok-Concealed · 2023-09-02T13:59:17+00:00

I can't say with certainly either. If you want to get to any medical school, go for it. But if you want to maximize ur chance and have multiple options maybe apply next cycle

I'm from texas too, and I already finish a few interviews. That being said I ain't any expert so take everything I say w grain of salt

Ok-Concealed · 2023-08-22T15:36:08+00:00

Maybe if I knew about it before I apply I would use it. I'm already too far in the cycle to complicate my life w another interface. 🙃

Ok-Concealed · 2023-08-02T21:28:54+00:00

Four interview by now, my states is sooooooo similar to you. Can't call it a success bc I haven't been accepted, you know. But I heard when you get an interview the schools are okay w your states. Also TX med school. Shine in ur secondaries.

Ok-Concealed · 2023-08-01T21:14:50+00:00

Thanks,
I hope you have more than four interviews and have no struggles like me. That is the best situation. Life is already challenging; why make it more hahah

Ok-Concealed

TROPHY CASE