Score: 254

Resources:
- UWorld
- First Aid
- Pathoma
- Goljan Audio
- USMLERx
- Sketchy Micro
Study period: about 9 weeks
Practice tests (in order that I took them):
- UWSA 1: 257
- NBME 17: 235 (freaked out, realized I over-thought most of the questions and
resolved to go with my gut on the next NBME)
- UWSA 2: 245
- NBME 16: 260 (two days before exam)
USMLE World average: 72% (never really paid much attention to this number)
Discussion/Comments:
Used a method previously posted on here (Ill see if I can link to it later), where I would
study a section every day in the morning, and do questions in the afternoon, pretty
standard. My average day:
0545: wake up
0600-0730: study Micro (Sketchy Micro) or Biochem
0730-0800: breakfast, coffee
0800-1200: study section of the day from FA and try to get through corresponding
Pathoma section
1200-4pm: try to get through 2 blocks of questions
4:30pm-7pm: workout, shower, eat dinner
7-8:30: finish whatever review I had left of question sets
8:30- bed: hang out, relax, watch Netflix
So I basically cycled through all the sections in First Aid like this until I had done a
complete pass of FA and Pathoma and then restart the cycle. Over and over. In the
beginning, it took me about 3 weeks to get through everything. The second time it took

a little over 2 weeks. The third time it took 2 weeks. So I basically reviewed all these
sources 3 times over. The last cycle, however, I cut out Pathoma videos unless they
were topics I struggled with. The only exception to the cycle was Biochem and Micro,
which I would try to study a little bit every day, since they were weak areas for me.
(side note about Micro): In my opinion, Sketchy Micro saved my life! I had tried
Picmonic a few times during MS1 and 2, but their images and stories never really
stuck. I gave SketchyMicro a try and was skeptical at first, but later found myself flying
through the micro questions, able to memorize miniscule details I would have otherwise
glossed over (like which viruses are segmented, and which are +/- sense). My only
regret is that SketchyMedical doesnt have their Pharm stuff out yet!
Regarding the question sets: I would normally try to do a block of untimed tutor on
USMLERx over whatever section I had done that day, then I would do untimed tutor of
UW. During the second cycle through my material, I modified the second block, where
I would do timed mode in UW. During the third cycle through the material, I would do
untimed tutor USMLERx (section of the day) + a UW timed, random block. Then I would
also sprinkle in some days where I just did a couple random, timed UW blocks to
freshen my memory. Over the course of my third cycle I would keep a piece of paper
and write down concepts that I really struggled with (glomerulonephropathies,
vasculitides, collagen synthesis process, BRANCHIAL POUCHES).
Around the last week or two of studying, I spent either 30min in the morning or
evening going over a few of those problem topics in more detail. Usually for me that
meant writing things over and over on a white board until they stuck. This is basically
what I did the last week of studying, in addition to doing random, timed UW blocks to
finish off my Qbank, as well as the UWSAs and a couple NBMEs.
I felt like crap during the test day absolute garbage walking out of the testing center.
No matter how many times people told me to trust the NBMEs or whatever, I just
couldnt shake the feeling I had completely bombed the exam. The worst part, honestly,
were the questions that I KNEW on any other given day, but had a complete mental
block during the exam (for example, totally blanked on where gracilis muscle was!).
Anyway, if you feel like crying in the corner while cradling a bottle of red, you probably
did great.
Hope this proved useful to someone out there! PM me if you have any specific questions
and Ill do my best to get back to you!

edit: forgot to mention that the day I did UWSA2, I also did the USMLE Free 150, in an
effort to "simulate" a 7 or 8 hour test day. Gave myself about 5 min break between
blocks, and about 20min between the UWSA 2 and Free 150. I felt like it was a good
prep for the 8 hour mental battle that is test day! That being said, the actual test flew
by, ironically.

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