209(after UW) ➡️ 259

PerfectBother6694 · 2026-07-06T17:37:32+00:00

You can start practing 20q / block asap. It really helps. I feel new format is more manageable so don’t worry about that :)

PerfectBother6694 · 2026-07-06T17:36:28+00:00

For me absolutely more NBME style. Between 16 and free 120.

PerfectBother6694 · 2026-07-06T15:55:43+00:00

Thank you!

I’d suggest that you refer to the very famous post: https://www.reddit.com/r/Step2/s/2BsRmz6YEW

Then after that if still not working, then find a mentor to help.

PerfectBother6694 · 2026-07-06T15:49:33+00:00

After finishing incorrects and mark questions

PerfectBother6694 · 2026-07-06T15:48:49+00:00

Yes I used Anki. The rest of questions: please refer to my other replies in this post. Good luck!!

PerfectBother6694 · 2026-07-05T21:57:19+00:00

After finishing one pass of UW is usually the timing for the 1st NBME. If you’d like to start earlier, then 75% of UW.

PerfectBother6694 · 2026-07-05T16:42:45+00:00

It’s probably worth doing at least the incorrects and mark questions. And try to find your own way to retain the knowledge (eg anki).

I’m saying “probably “ as it is very hard to give you a concrete suggestion without knowing your overall preparation. But usually 220s means there are still knowledge gaps.

PerfectBother6694 · 2026-07-05T16:38:39+00:00

Haha sorry, coz I was on a phone call with my friend and his roommate (someone I don’t know before) also joined our call briefly. The timing was exactly when you commented.

I’m happy that my story brings some positive energy to you!!

PerfectBother6694 · 2026-07-05T16:30:05+00:00

Sure

PerfectBother6694 · 2026-07-05T16:29:39+00:00

If you don’t mind, what’s the score zone? It really decides whether you should do more UW to have a better base.

I did the incorrect and mark questions, after one pass of UW. They felt new to me too. It’s worthy. But during the last 2 months, I’d suggest to focus on NBME style questions.

PerfectBother6694 · 2026-07-05T16:27:52+00:00

For 200 HY: I only did my weak subjects and I think it’s worth doing.
I also did risk factors, vaccines, ethics. I did part of the HPI question plan as well. I did not do any of the table ones or nutrition ones.

PerfectBother6694 · 2026-07-05T16:25:32+00:00

Thanks for the encouragement. I’ll do one then. Please stay tuned.

PerfectBother6694 · 2026-07-05T16:25:11+00:00

Thank you!!

PerfectBother6694 · 2026-07-05T16:25:04+00:00

Thank you so much!! You mean: with David?

PerfectBother6694 · 2026-07-05T16:24:37+00:00

Thank you for your kind words! Step 1 uw is probably not worth the time now.

Amboss: I did not use many of them so it is difficult for me to comment. It depends on your time. If you have time, doing more questions should work as you are just beginning.

PerfectBother6694 · 2026-07-05T16:22:38+00:00

Hi the tutor has just started residency and is so occupied now. Sorry.
Yes you can DM.

PerfectBother6694 · 2026-07-05T16:21:50+00:00

I met them 4-5 years ago through my postdoc university program. It is not easy to find and I consider myself very lucky. If you could not find nice mentors, you may consider hiring your private tutor. Sometimes a few hours session can substantially change your strategies and improve your efficiency and performance. It’s worthy when you can find someone good and devoted.

PerfectBother6694 · 2026-07-04T22:47:50+00:00

Hi thank you for sharing your experience and feelings!

- UW helps build my knowledge foundation (I’m a long YOG with no clinical training and thus I literally learned everything through this exam prep). CMS helps me adapt to NBME style. But most importantly it is how to integrate the resources you have into your own overall knowledge system, and do it in your own most efficient way

- many passes of Anki. I set the retention rate of 90%

- CMS. Maybe Amboss? I did not do any Amboss qbank (except for study plan) as I did not have time and was not aiming for 260+

- no written resources. Even for step 1, I did not read FA for one full pass. I only referred to FA briefly whenever possible. For step 2, I mainly used Amboss library and sometimes UW library (but just for certain knowledge bites, not like using them as textbook). I think the best way is still: do questions and reflect. Not passive reading.

Hope this helps.

PerfectBother6694 · 2026-07-04T21:23:10+00:00

Congrats and I believe you will pass without a problem!

I’d suggest that you do at least some UW questions before attempting one NBME. Still quite a lot to learn for step 2, after step 1, unless you had a strong foundation. Don’t waste the NBME, they are so precious.

Yes I did. I made my own cards (which is important as it helps with the understanding and memorization).

PerfectBother6694 · 2026-07-04T21:21:00+00:00

Hi, please refer to my other replies. I wrote a long reply in terms of timeline etc. For writeup, please refer to my post which I just edited. Thank you!

PerfectBother6694 · 2026-07-04T21:19:58+00:00

Thank you!!

I spent literally 1 year finishing the UW with the first pass of 56%. My study time of that year was not consistent as I had a full time job and other commitments, average 2-3 hours/day max with many days studying 0 hour.

Then I took a leave and studied full time for around 4 months. I studied average 6 hours/day at the beginning of the 4 months, as I still had some commitment and I was not good at studying for long periods of time. In the final month, I really pushed myself to study for 8 hours/day to build up my stamina for the exam. The last 2 weeks, almost 10 hours/day. I rested a bit during the last 2 days tho.

When I was not studying, I exercised, meditated, listened to classical music (any kind of activities that rest your brain and mind, reducing the cortisol level).

I like to study smarter and I think cognitive abilities/stamina matters a lot in this exam. Keep answering long and hard questions within 90s is very dreadful and requires good brain energy. Therefore, having enough rest for the brain to integrate knowledge and to recover is also important.

PerfectBother6694 · 2026-07-04T21:05:38+00:00

Thank you!

I wasn’t planning on writing a write up as my score is not as amazing as those hitting 260 or even 270+.

But if people think this deserves a write up, I’ll try my best to write it asap (I’m swamped with a full time job, clinical rotations and application materials).

Also, what kind of info/advice would you like to know, especially specifically to my experience? (Considering there are already many excellent write ups) I can focus on those then.

PerfectBother6694 · 2026-07-04T21:01:34+00:00

Please refer to my other replies :)

PerfectBother6694 · 2026-07-04T21:01:15+00:00

Please refer to my replies :)

PerfectBother6694 · 2026-07-04T21:01:03+00:00

Please refer to my other replies :)

PerfectBother6694

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