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Student Portal > USMLE > Survey Results
Please find below the compilation of responses to our USMLE, Step 1 Survey Questionnaire from 2004 through 2007.
In reviewing this information, keep in mind that many of the respondents used several sources of study materials while others stuck to just one. In certain instances, we could not include the responses of those who indicated they used study materials other than the ones listed, because these students did not provide the book title or author. Thus, the total number of applicants cited is less than the actual number of those who completed the survey questionnaire.
Practice Questions |
||
| # Responses: | Resource: | |
97 |
Sample questions from the on-line tutorial at the USMLE, Step 1 website |
|
109 |
First Aid for the USMLE Step 1 |
|
11 |
NMS Review for the USMLE Step 1 |
|
128 |
Kaplan Q Bank |
|
Other: Appleton and Lange (13); Step-up; BRS, Access Medicine, USMLEasy (free) (2), USMLERx (2), Penn Method, Robbins Review of Pathology, PreTest, NBME Self-Assessments (3), First Aid Cases, Pathology Website, Board Simulator |
||
Anatomy |
||
50 |
Netter’s Atlas |
|
86 |
First Aid for the Boards |
|
2 |
Anatomy Review by Johnson |
|
2 |
GARP |
|
2 |
Review for the New National Boards |
|
94 |
High-Yield Gross Anatomy |
|
2 |
J & S Review Series |
|
18 |
Board Review Series |
|
3 |
NMS Book |
|
19 |
Kaplan |
|
Other: High Yield Histology; Chungs; Step-up; Clinical Anatomy MRS, USMLE Roadmap, QBANK |
||
Embryology |
||
6 |
BERP Computer Program | |
76 |
First Aid for the Boards |
|
2 |
J & S Anatomy Book |
|
3 |
Larson |
|
107 |
High-Yield Embryology |
|
49 |
High-Yield Neuroanatomy |
|
1 |
Sauger |
|
8 |
Board Review Series |
|
7 |
Class Notes |
|
1 |
NMS Book |
|
20 |
Kaplan |
|
| Other: Step-up | ||
Behavioral Science |
||
26 |
Board Review Series | |
2 |
NMS Book |
|
80 |
First Aid for the Boards |
|
70 |
High-Yield Neuroanatomy |
|
30 |
Kaplan |
|
27 |
High Yield Behavior Sciences |
|
Other: Step-up, Supplement main pictures with atlas, Neuroanatomy made ridiculously simple, The Developing Human, QBANK |
||
Biochemistry |
||
29 |
Board Review Series | |
4 |
Biochemistry Made Ridiculously Simple |
|
2 |
Little, Brown & Co. |
|
79 |
Lippincott |
|
70 |
First Aid for the Boards |
|
0 |
Biochemistry Nent Review for National Books |
|
1 |
Ripkin Comprehensive Review |
|
26 |
Kaplan |
|
Other: High Yield Biochem (8); Princeton Review Crashing the Boards (1); Step-up (1), Underground Case Files, Lippincott, Class notes |
||
Microbiology |
||
8 |
Javetz | |
109 |
Microbiology Made Ridiculously Simple |
|
6 |
Appleton & Lange |
|
2 |
The Microbiology Companion |
|
9 |
Lippincott |
|
23 |
Kaplan |
|
Other: First Aid (17);High Yield (4); Class Notes (1); Bugs & Drugs cards (1); Step-up (1), First Aid for USMLE, Microbiology Flashcards Lippincott (2) |
||
Pathology |
||
50 |
Board Review Series | |
5 |
Class Notes |
|
3 |
NMS Book |
|
10 |
Robbins Pathology |
|
38 |
First Aid |
|
14 |
Kaplan |
|
Other: First Aid; Baby Robbins; Step-up |
||
Pharmacology |
||
3 |
Appleton & Lange | |
24 |
First Aid for the Boards |
|
1 |
NMS Book |
|
44 |
Lippincott Pharmacology |
|
9 |
Pharm Cards |
|
6 |
Pharmacology Made Ridiculously Simple |
|
25 |
First-Aid |
|
12 |
Kaplan |
|
Other: Pharmacology Recall (9); Step-up (1); Goodman & Gilman (1); High Yield Pharmacology (1) |
||
Physiology |
||
6 |
NMS Book | |
36 |
First Aid for the Boards |
|
53 |
Board Review Series |
|
33 |
Kaplan |
|
Other: Class Notes; First Aid; Physiology Coloring Book; Step-up; Guyton Hall |
||
The number of study days for each subject varied greatly. Most respondents did not answer this question, so the sample is small. If you have a study schedule that works for you, you should probably stick to it!
| Anatomy | Embryology | Behavioral Science | Biochemisty | Microbiology | Pathology | Pharmacology | Physiology | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Respondent 1 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 5 |
| Respondent 2 | 25 | 5 | 14 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 |
| Respondent 3 | 10 | 3 | 15 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 12 | 14 |
| Respondent 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 3 |
| Respondent 5 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 28 | 28 |
| Respondent 6 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 9 | 7 | 7 |
| Respondent 7 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 3 |
| Respondent 8 | 3 | 1 | 0.5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Respondent 9 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 |
| Respondent 10 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
| Respondent 11 | 2 | 1 | 0.5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
| Respondent 12 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 5 |
| Respondent 13 | 10 | 5 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 15 | 15 | 20 |
| Respondent 14 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
| Respondent 15 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 |
| Respondent 16 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Respondent 17 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Respondent 18 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 |
| Respondent 19 | 1 | 0.5 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Respondent 20 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3.5 | 3 | 3.5 | 4 | 2.5 |
| Respondent 21 | 4 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
| Respondent 22 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Respondent 23 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 90 |
| Respondent 24 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 15 | 20 | 30 | 10 | 15 |
| Respondent 25 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Respondent 26 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 8 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 3.5 |
| Respondent 27 | 10 | 500 | 500 | 500 | 500 | 500 | 50 | 500 |
| Respondent 28 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| Respondent 29 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Respondent 30 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 |
| Respondent 31 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 20 | 15 | 15 |
| Respondent 32 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 3 |
| Respondent 33 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Respondent 34 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 4 |
| Respondent 35 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 10 | 20 | 20 | 20 |
| Respondent 36 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Respondent 37 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Respondent 38 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 3 |
| Respondent 39 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 3 |
| Respondent 40 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 3 |
| Respondent 41 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 3 |
| Respondent 42 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Respondent 43 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Respondent 44 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 3 |
| Respondent 45 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Respondent 46 | 2 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Respondent 47 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 5 |
| Respondent 48 | 1 | 1 | 0.5 | 3.5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
| Respondent 49 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
| Respondent 50 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 3 |
| Respondent 51 | 3 | 1 | 0.5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Respondent 52 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 4 |
| Respondent 53 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
| Respondent 54 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 3 |
| Respondent 55 | 4 | 8 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| Respondent 56 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
| Respondent 57 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 2 |
| Respondent 58 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Respondent 59 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 4 |
| Respondent 60 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 1 |
| Respondent 61 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Respondent 62 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Respondent 63 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 |
| Respondent 64 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 2 |
| Respondent 65 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Respondent 66 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 3 |
| Respondent 67 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 |
| Respondent 68 | 2.5 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 4.5 | 4 | 5 | 3 |
| Respondent 69 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 2 |
| Respondent 70 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 2.5 | 4 | 2 |
| Respondent 71 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 2.5 | 4 | 2 |
| Respondent 72 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 3 |
| Respondent 73 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 3 |
| Respondent 74 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
| Respondent 75 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 3 |
| Respondent 76 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3.5 | 4 | 3 |
| Respondent 77 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
| Respondent 78 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 |
| Respondent 79 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Respondent 80 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 10 |
| Respondent 81 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 5 | 10 |
| Respondent 82 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 5 |
| Respondent 83 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 |
| Respondent 84 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 |
| Respondent 85 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Respondent 86 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Respondent 87 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
| Respondent 88 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| Respondent 89 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Respondent 90 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 3 |
| Respondent 91 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Respondent 92 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 |
| Respondent 93 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Respondent 94 | 1 | 2 | 0.5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2.5 |
| Respondent 95 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Respondent 96 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Respondent 97 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3.5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
| Respondent 98 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 4 | 1 |
| Respondent 99 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Respondent 100 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 2 |
| Respondent 101 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
Study Strategy and Schedule: First 25 days for learning the material and last seven days (26- 35) for reviewing and memorizing 1st Aid, doing practice tests and catching up with leaning material you didn't have a chance to study before in order to stay on schedule.
| Day 1 | ||
| BC: basic metab | 1.5h | |
| Carbs/glyc/gluconeo | 2.5h | |
| TCA/hexose monoP | 1.5h | |
| Day 2 | ||
| lip/chol | 5h | |
| prot/enzymes | 2h | |
| Day 3 | ||
| proteins | 3h | |
| integr/vit/nucl | 4h | |
| Day 4 | ||
| embryo (all) | 4h | |
| anatomy: thorax, abd, | 4h | |
| Day 5 | ||
| anatomy: back,,limbs, H&N, pelvis | 8h | |
| Day 6 | ||
| histo (all) + cell phys | 6h | |
| Day 7 | ||
| immuno + immunopath | 8h | |
| Day 8 | ||
| bacteria and abx | 8h | |
| Day 9 | ||
| bacteria/abx | 6h | |
| fungi | 1h | |
| antifungals | 1h | |
| Day 10 | ||
| viruses | 4h | |
| antivirals | 1h | |
| parasites | 1h | |
| antiparasitics | 1h | |
| clin vignettes | 1h | |
| Day 11 | ||
| basic path | 4h | |
| path images | 1.5h | |
| basic pharm | 4h | |
| Day 12 | ||
| cardio phys | 1.5h | |
| cardio pharm | 5h | |
| Day 13 | ||
| cardio path | 1.5h | |
| vasc path | 1h | |
| path images | 3h | |
| Day 14 | ||
| pulm phys | 1.5h | |
| pulm pharm | 0.5h | |
| pulm path | 1.5h | |
| path images | 2h | |
| clin vignettes | 1h | |
| Day 15 | ||
| heme/lymph path | 4h | |
| path images | 1h | |
| pharm | 2.5h | |
| Day 16 | ||
| exam pulm,cards,heme | 2.5h | |
| GI phys | 1h | |
| GI pharm | 1.5h | |
| GI path | 2h | |
| Day 17 | ||
| finish GI path | 2h | |
| path images | 2h | |
| clin vignettes | 1h | |
| Day 18 | ||
| Phys renal | 1.5h | |
| pharm: diuretics | 1.5h | |
| path: u tract | 3h | |
| path images | 1.5h | |
| Day 19 | ||
| phys repro | .5-.75h | |
| pharm repro horm | 1h | |
| path: repro | 2h | |
| path images | 1h | |
| clin vignettes | 1h | |
| Day 20 | ||
| phys: endo | 1.5h | |
| pharm steroids, DM | 1.5h | |
| path: endo | 2h | |
| path images | 1h | |
| clin vignettes | 1h | |
| Day 21 | ||
| exam: GI, renal,endo repro | 1.5h | |
| Neuroanat + lectures | 6.5h | |
| Day 22 | ||
| finish neuroanat | 6h | |
| neurophys | 1.5h | |
| Day 23 | ||
| neuropath | 2h | |
| path images | 2h | |
| pharm | 3.5h | |
| Day 24 | ||
| behav sci | 4h | |
| pharm: psych | 2.5h | |
| Day 25 | ||
| path: skin, muscle | 2h | |
| path images | 1h | |
| pharm: NSAIDS,autocoids | 2h | |
| clin vignettes | 1h | |
| exam vol 2 test 1 | 2h | |
| Average Number of Days Spent Studying: | 26 |
Study Schedule:
|
Sunday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
|
1 Embryo |
||||||
|
2 Gross Anatomy |
3 Neuro |
4 Histology |
5 Anatomy |
6 Microbio |
7 Microbio |
8 Immuno |
|
9 Pharm |
10 Pharm |
11 Pharm |
12 Biochem |
13 Physio |
14 Physio |
15 Physio |
|
16 Path |
17 Path |
18 Path |
19 Path |
20 B. Sci. |
21 QBank |
22 QBank |
|
23 QBank |
24 First-aid |
25 First-aid |
26 First-aid |
27 |
28 TEST |
29 |
Study Strategy and Schedule: First 25 days for learning the material and last seven days (26- 35) for reviewing and memorizing 1st Aid, doing practice tests and catching up with leaning material you didn't have a chance to study before in order to stay on schedule.
| Day 1 | ||
| BC: basic metab | 1.5h | |
| Carbs/glyc/gluconeo | 2.5h | |
| TCA/hexose monoP | 1.5h | |
| Day 2 | ||
| lip/chol | 5h | |
| prot/enzymes | 2h | |
| Day 3 | ||
| proteins | 3h | |
| integr/vit/nucl | 4h | |
| Day 4 | ||
| embryo (all) | 4h | |
| anatomy: thorax, abd, | 4h | |
| Day 5 | ||
| anatomy: back,,limbs, H&N, pelvis | 8h | |
| Day 6 | ||
| histo (all) + cell phys | 6h | |
| Day 7 | ||
| immuno + immunopath | 8h | |
| Day 8 | ||
| bacteria and abx | 8h | |
| Day 9 | ||
| bacteria/abx | 6h | |
| fungi | 1h | |
| antifungals | 1h | |
| Day 10 | ||
| viruses | 4h | |
| antivirals | 1h | |
| parasites | 1h | |
| antiparasitics | 1h | |
| clin vignettes | 1h | |
| Day 11 | ||
| basic path | 4h | |
| path images | 1.5h | |
| basic pharm | 4h | |
| Day 12 | ||
| cardio phys | 1.5h | |
| cardio pharm | 5h | |
| Day 13 | ||
| cardio path | 1.5h | |
| vasc path | 1h | |
| path images | 3h | |
| Day 14 | ||
| pulm phys | 1.5h | |
| pulm pharm | 0.5h | |
| pulm path | 1.5h | |
| path images | 2h | |
| clin vignettes | 1h | |
| Day 15 | ||
| heme/lymph path | 4h | |
| path images | 1h | |
| pharm | 2.5h | |
| Day 16 | ||
| exam pulm,cards,heme | 2.5h | |
| GI phys | 1h | |
| GI pharm | 1.5h | |
| GI path | 2h | |
| Day 17 | ||
| finish GI path | 2h | |
| path images | 2h | |
| clin vignettes | 1h | |
| Day 18 | ||
| Phys renal | 1.5h | |
| pharm: diuretics | 1.5h | |
| path: u tract | 3h | |
| path images | 1.5h | |
| Day 19 | ||
| phys repro | .5-.75h | |
| pharm repro horm | 1h | |
| path: repro | 2h | |
| path images | 1h | |
| clin vignettes | 1h | |
| Day 20 | ||
| phys: endo | 1.5h | |
| pharm steroids, DM | 1.5h | |
| path: endo | 2h | |
| path images | 1h | |
| clin vignettes | 1h | |
| Day 21 | ||
| exam: GI, renal,endo repro | 1.5h | |
| Neuroanat + lectures | 6.5h | |
| Day 22 | ||
| finish neuroanat | 6h | |
| neurophys | 1.5h | |
| Day 23 | ||
| neuropath | 2h | |
| path images | 2h | |
| pharm | 3.5h | |
| Day 24 | ||
| behav sci | 4h | |
| pharm: psych | 2.5h | |
| Day 25 | ||
| path: skin, muscle | 2h | |
| path images | 1h | |
| pharm: NSAIDS,autocoids | 2h | |
| clin vignettes | 1h | |
| exam vol 2 test 1 | 2h | |
| Average Number of Days Spent Studying: | 26 |
Study Schedule:
|
Sunday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
|
1 Embryo |
||||||
|
2 Gross Anatomy |
3 Neuro |
4 Histology |
5 Anatomy |
6 Microbio |
7 Microbio |
8 Immuno |
|
9 Pharm |
10 Pharm |
11 Pharm |
12 Biochem |
13 Physio |
14 Physio |
15 Physio |
|
16 Path |
17 Path |
18 Path |
19 Path |
20 B. Sci. |
21 QBank |
22 QBank |
|
23 QBank |
24 First-aid |
25 First-aid |
26 First-aid |
27 |
28 TEST |
29 |
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