another USMLE step 1 experience

About my experience, I would like to share with you all what i have passed through during my Step1 experience.

From the begining taking the decision I think is the most important and most difficult step to begin studying the USMLE, by answering those questions like : Is it worth it? Can I do it ? The visa is nearly impossible now.........
Once you took the decision, automatically you have joined the race of time and score in the USMLE, what I did is I decided that I want the shortest cut to do it with the best score I can have. So I decided to take the Kaplan Video course in Kaplan center.
I was listening to each tape and going home to highlight only the most important points stressed on in the tape, without recalling anything from it the next day, but from my experience in the school i have learned that the first reading is nothing other than reading so this helped me a lot in working without beiing stressed by this stupid phrase called: I am not remembering anything from what i just have studied.
After finishing first time reading without touching a question (except those questios at the end of each chapter used for understanding) , I made the lecture notes second time with more concentrtion.
Till now belive me, if I have passed my exam i would have failed.

Then I got enrolled int he Kaplan Q-bank who took 1 month from me, then i have realised how much i need to repass through the lecture notes again for now I know how the questions are asked. This time reading is the exploration reading in which you can catch the questions between the lines in your source.

At this stage, I assessed my self with Kaplan simulated and I got 69%.

Then I did the USMLE First Aid Book, this took from me 1 month (must be done)

Then I did the Q-bank I.V. who really helped me in mastering the differential clinical diagnosis of many cases.

Finally, I did the Q-bank 2nd time and the Qbook

I entered the exam after 13 months from the begining with average studying 8 hours/ day (may be this is a little bit long time but I am an average mentality person and i need to digest everything in my speed to do it surely but of course there are poeple who did it in a shorter duration).

What I want to say is, from my point of view:

- The classic step 1 Q-bank is much more important than the Q I.V.

- Never do the First Aid book before doing your notes (the ideal timing is after answering questions).

- Never to try to answer timed questios in the begining, wait for the questions race till you finish your first reading, specially if this is your first step to take in the USMLE.

- Never to study from multiple sources.

- Never to answer every question book written on it that it has the best questions for USMLE Step 1. IT DOES NOT DEPEND ON THE NUMBER OF QUESTIONS BUT IT DEPENDS ON THE QUALITY OF QUESTIONS AND THE QUALITY OF STUDYING THESE QUESTIONS. In my opinion Kaplan Q-bank is the best.

- About the Microbiology, I hope you all don't do the same mistake in its studying as I did. For I spend a lot of time for something not needed at all called: When thinking about any Bug i have to remember everything related to it (its stain, the poisons produced by it, diseases.....) ALL OF THESE STUFF WILL BE COVERED TO THE POINT WHILE ANSWERING QUESTIONS + IN THE FIRST AID BOOK

- For the Pharmacology same as things said for the Micro.

- DON'T SPEND LOT OF TIME IN PATHOLOGY SLIDES, for most of the questions having related slide (Gross or Microscopic) will be answered from the question stem even before looking to the picture.

AND FINALLY, NEVER LOOSE HOPE IN THE LORD FOR HE IS FAITHFUL EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT

I hope this helped you,

Hope to the Wold