TAUS USMLE prep method

SDN’ers (Members of the Student Doctor Network online forums) report that the “Taus USMLE Prep Method” is an excellent way to prepare for the USMLE/COMLEX Step 1.

This method relies heavily upon several resources, including First Aid for the USMLE Step 1 and Goljan’s Rapid Review Pathology. The texts suggested are excellent and the regimen of splitting things into months and daily schedules is great. The “Taus USMLE Prep Method” can serve as a great starting place in planning your USMLE/COMLEX review. Below you will find the “Taus Method” for the USMLE Step 1 reproduced in its entirety, with written permission from the author.

The “Taus Method” USMLE/ COMLEX Step 1 Plan

Taus USMLE Prep Method – Table of Contents


Taus USMLE Prep Method – Basic Timeline:

First run through:  (75:25 study:Q’s)*

1) Consolidate all books into FIRST AID FOR THE USMLE (except Goljan Rapid Review Pathology and HY Molecular will be used throughout and in full)

2) Listen to corresponding Goljan audio during appropriate subject/system

*Apollo Audiobooks recommends you attend Dr. Goljan’s Pathology Review Live rather than using pirated Goljan Audio recordings.

3) Paper question sources directly by subject after studying each subject (as specific as possible..ie cardio path, cardio phys, cardiac pharm…all individually)

4) Study for understanding, ie don’t try to memorize all the details yet

5) Take NBME 4

Second run through: (50:50 study:Q’s)*

1) Study in full systems using only FIRST AID FOR THE USMLE w/ all annotations, Goljan Rapid Review Pathology, HY Molec

2) Listen to corresponding Goljan audio during appropriate subject/system for 2nd time

*Apollo Audiobooks recommends you attend Dr. Goljan’s Pathology Review Live rather than using pirated Goljan Audio recordings.

3) 50 UsmleWorld questions every morning in random and timed blocks of 50

5) Take NBME 2

6) Memorize more and more detail beyond just understanding

Third run through: (25:75 study:Q’s)*

1) FIRST AID FOR THE USMLE, Goljan Rapid Review Pathology, HY molec only

2) 100 UsmleWorld questions (as above)

3) Take NBME 3

4) Everything should be fully memorized by now

Last two weeks and final 3 days: details below

* the % study:Q’s reflects the amount of time per day that should be spent on each, with the amount of time spent doing questions progressing up as you move along through each run through the information and the time spent studying material going down

 

Taus USMLE Prep Method – Review Books and Other Materials:

-way more succinct and clinical then Lippincott and co-authored by Dr. Ed Goljan of Goljan Audio

* Alternatively: the Kaplan Biochem book by Hansen is excellent and by First Aid for the USMLE, or the best of the Kaplan series….if you can get it cheaply….do it

  • Goljan audio and slides (available in bootleg only)
  • High Yield Behavioral Science
  • High Yield Neuro (some sections are too detailed, but basics and pics are good)
  • High Yield Cell and Molecular (1999 edition- new one has way too much detail)
  • Lange Review of Medical Micro and Immuno by Levinson -only for Immuno section, which is ~90 pages
  • Micro Made Ridiculously Simple (edition 3 is fine)
  • Savarese OMT Review (for DO students only)
  • BRS Physiology

Taus USMLE Prep Method – Question Sources:

  • Reference and/or write incorrect answers or anything you were even remotely unsure ofàFIRST AID FOR THE USMLE to review the concept again later
  • use questions primarily as a learning tool and don’t worry about your % til near the test

Books:

  • Robbins Review of Path
  • Savarese (OMM)
  • Kaplan Qbook

– this will sound odd…but its well worth it: the book is subject based (ie path, phys, micro, etc…so take an hour or so to go through this book and mark which system each question fits into within each subject (ie under Path mark all the renal q’s, lung q’s, etc.)  Reading the last line and answer choices makes it pretty quick & easy to do.  This will be worth it when you need system-specific q’s during your first run through.

Computer Based:

*purposefully not using Kaplans QBank as most questions do not represent the current style on the exam, are too minutia based and it is way overpriced.  You will still get the benefits of Kaplan for under $40 w/ Qbook.

 

Taus USMLE Prep Method – Basic Sciences:

* do in order of your weakestàstrongest subjects

* “à” in the following sections means to annotate from one to the other for clarifications

Biochem:

  • Rapid Review (or Kaplan)à FIRST AID FOR THE USMLE (use only to clarify topics in First Aid…don’t add topics)
  • Read Goljan Rapid Review Pathology Ch1-cell injury, Ch7-Nutritional Disorders, any other relevant places w/ biochem (ie anemia, diabetes)
  • FIRST AID FOR THE USMLE Path Intro

Molec Bio/Genetics:

  • HY (FIRST AID FOR THE USMLE is NOT enough in this subject)
  • Read Goljan Rapid Review Pathology Ch5-Genetic Disorders, Ch8-Neoplasia
  • FIRST AID FOR THE USMLE Path Intro

Pharmacodynamics and Physio Intros:

  • FIRST AID FOR THE USMLE (just pharmacodynamics and autonomics at this time)
  • Read Goljan Rapid Review Pathology Ch6-Environmental Path
  • BRS Phys Ch. 1 and autonomics in Ch. 2
  • Immunology:
  • Levinsonà FIRST AID FOR THE USMLE
  • Read Goljan Rapid Review Pathology Ch2-inflammation and repair, Ch3-immunopathology

Micro Principles and Micro Pharm:

  • CMMRSàFIRST AID FOR THE USMLE

– major system-specific bugs will be re-visited during their respective systems, ie hepatitis and causes of diarrhea w/ GI, pneumonia w/ Pulm, meningitis w/ Neuro, etc

Anatomy (Musculoskeletal):

  • FIRST AID FOR THE USMLE only

Embryo:

  • FIRST AID FOR THE USMLE only

Behavoral:

  • HYàFIRST AID FOR THE USMLE (clarifying only..don’t add much…also know equations well)

**pysch w/ neuro later (only research, stats, patient-care stuff now)

Taus USMLE Prep Method – USMLE Part 1 Full Systems

*Order in each system: anatomyàphysioàmicroàpathàpharm (add others where needed or specified by FIRST AID FOR THE USMLE)

USMLE Part 1 – Heme/Onc:

  • Read Goljan Rapid Review Pathology Ch.11-15

USMLE Part 1 – Cardio:

  • Read Goljan Rapid Review Pathology Ch 4-fluids(only edema to end), Ch9-Vascular Dz, Ch10, Heart Dz
  • BRS Phys: Ch3-cardio

Renal:

  • Read Goljan Rapid Review Pathology Ch4-fluids (beginning to edema), Ch19-Kidney disorders
  • BRS phys: Ch5-renal and acid/base

Respiratory:

  • Read Goljan Rapid Review Pathology Ch16-upper and lower respiratory
  • BRS Phys: Ch4-respiratory

GI:

  • Read Goljan Rapid Review Pathology Ch17-GI, Ch18-hepatobiliary
  • BRS Phys: ch6

Reproductive:

  • Read Goljan Rapid Review Pathology Ch20-male and lower GU, 21-female
  • BRS Phys: ch7-endocrine (only relevant sections)

Endocrine:

  • Read Goljan Rapid Review Pathology Ch22-endocrine
  • BRS Phys: ch7-endocrine

Skin:

  • Read Goljan Rapid Review Pathology ch24 and the one page in the MSK chapter of FIRST AID FOR THE USMLE

Musculskeletal & Connective Tissue:

  • Read Goljan Rapid Review Pathology Ch23 msk disorders

Neuro:

  • Read Goljan Rapid Review Pathology ch25-nervous system
  • HY Neuro – FIRST AID FOR THE USMLE (don’t add much, just explain well….also Radiology in HY is useful)
  • BRS phys: Ch2 neuro phys

Pysch:

  • HY BehavioralàFIRST AID FOR THE USMLE Pysch

Taus USMLE Prep Method – Getting the best USMLE Scores in The last 2 weeks

AM: For the best USMLE Scores 100 UW Questions, in random/timed blocks of 50, then go over all explanations in full

PM: 6 hours of studying as divided below

– get through everything in 10 Days

– final 3 day plan at the end

1a 4 hours

 Biochem:

  • FIRST AID FOR THE USMLE
  • Read Goljan Rapid Review Pathology Ch1-cell injury, Ch7-Nutritional Disorders
  • FIRST AID FOR THE USMLE Path Intro

1b 2 hours

Behavoral (all except Pysch):

  • FIRST AID FOR THE USMLE

2a 6 hours

Molec Bio:

  • HY
  • FIRST AID FOR THE USMLE
  • Read Goljan Rapid Review Pathology Ch5-Genetic Disorders, Ch8-Neoplasia
  • FIRST AID FOR THE USMLE Path Intro

3a 2 hours

Pharmacodynamics and Autonomic Pharm:

  • FIRST AID FOR THE USMLE pharm section
  • Read Goljan Rapid Review Pathology Ch6-Environmental Path

3b 4 hours

  • Immunology:
  • FIRST AID FOR THE USMLE
  • Read Goljan Rapid Review Pathology Ch2-inflammation and repair, Ch3-immunopathology
  • aids pharm
  • immuno pharm in msk section of FIRST AID FOR THE USMLE

4a 4 hours

Micro Principles and Micro Pharm:

  • FIRST AID FOR THE USMLE

Full Systems

4b 2 hours & 5a 2 hours

Heme/Onc:

  • Read Goljan Rapid Review Pathology Ch.11-15
  • FIRST AID FOR THE USMLE

5b 4 hours

Cardio:

  • Read Goljan Rapid Review Pathology Ch 4-fluids(only edema to end), Ch9-Vascular Dz, Ch10, Heart Dz

FIRST AID FOR THE USMLE

6a 4 hours

Renal:

  • Read Goljan Rapid Review Pathology Ch4-fluids (beginning to edema), Ch19-Kidney disorders
  • FIRST AID FOR THE USMLE

6b 2 hours & 7a 2 hours

Respiratory:

  • Read Goljan Rapid Review Pathology Ch16-upper and lower respiratory
  • FIRST AID FOR THE USMLE, Bugs

7b 4 hours

GI:

  • Read Goljan Rapid Review Pathology Ch17-GI, Ch18-hepatobiliary
  • FIRST AID FOR THE USMLE, Bugs (diarrhea,hep,worms)

8a 3 hours

Reproductive:

  • Read Goljan Rapid Review Pathology Ch20-male and lower GU, 21-female
  • FIRST AID FOR THE USMLE, UTI/STD bugs

8b 3 hours

Endocrine:

  • Read Goljan Rapid Review Pathology Ch22-endocrine
  • FIRST AID FOR THE USMLE

9a 5 hours

Musculskeletal & Skin & Anat:

  • Read Goljan Rapid Review Pathology Ch23 msk disorders
  • FIRST AID FOR THE USMLE MSK anatomy (in neuro section)
  • Read Goljan Rapid Review Pathology ch24-skin
  • look at some GI/thoracic CT’s

9 b 1 hour

Embryo:

  • FIRST AID FOR THE USMLE

10a 4 hours

Neuro:

  • Read Goljan Rapid Review Pathology ch25-nervous system
  • FIRST AID FOR THE USMLE, bugs
  • Radiology in HY/online

10b 2 hours

Pysch:

  • FIRST AID FOR THE USMLE (some in behav section too)

3rd to last Day

– ½ of margin (blue) notes in Goljan Rapid Review Pathology & slides

– crammable First Aid for the USMLEcts in immuno (CD markers, etc)

– all of Biochem

2nd to last Day

– ½ of margin (blue) notes in Goljan Rapid Review Pathology & slides

– molec & genetics in full

– all of pharm- go through all systems in FIRST AID FOR THE USMLE

– some behavioral/biostats (non-pysch)…quickly review high yield areas

Last day

– FIRST AID FOR THE USMLE HY section (at end of book) & Pics

– formulas and lab values one last time

– pharm sides in FIRST AID FOR THE USMLE (those 2 pages in the intro to pharm section)

– NO HEAVY STUDYING

 

Overall Studying Advice and Boards Info:

Taus USMLE Prep Method – COMLEX-specific info:

  • Between USMLE and COMLEX: Savarese & Bugs n Drugs
  • More of: Micro, Pharm, OMM, Extremity Anatomy, Neuro
  • Less of (but not non-existant): Biochem, Molecular, Genetics, Biostats

Taus USMLE Prep Method – General Pointers:

  • know the meaning of all buzzwords (won’t see the actual word often)
  • know all charts/graphs/diagrams in FIRST AID FOR THE USMLE inside and outàwill be tested abstractly
  • start with weakest subjects
  • only know equations in FIRST AID FOR THE USMLE
  • memorize all lab values (FIRST AID FOR THE USMLE has a list of most commonly used)
  • learn Tutorial on usmle.org and location of all buttons, labs, etc
  • always keep scheduled breaks during studying
  • study like a job, clock in, clock out, when you’re done for the session you’re done
  • NBME’s – must start within 30 days of registering and have 20 days to complete once start them…45$ each on nbme.org…buy in “un-timed” mode so you can review and study from questions (answers and explanations are not given)

Taus USMLE Prep Method – Question answering advice

* w/ a long passage, read the last line 1st then always read from beginning and in full

* practice doing q’s in 1 minute

* ~45 seconds read Q, ~15 secs answer

* only read question once

* always paraphrase after each sentence in Q

* don’t look at answers til have read entire passage and thought of answer

* if you think you’re taking too long on a Q, you are….guess, mark it and move on

* never change answers on anything except “marked” q’s

* only check answers of questions marked for review

* if you think you know answer, but not 100%, put it and move on, no time to be 100%

* Steps of answering a Q:

  1. Read Q and paraphrase after each sentence
  2. Paraphrase entire question and think of the answer w/o looking at answers
  3. Select your answer and quickly make sure it’s the “best” answer
  4. If didn’t get answer yet, eliminate answers and narrow down to 2-3 then guess
  5. If couldn’t narrow down, select First Aid for the USMLEvorite letter then guess

– do not re-read the question b/w any of these steps…there is no time

Taus USMLE Prep Method – Week Before Test:

* NO new material

* sleep on a set schedule that will be the same as test day, no naps

* review the tutorial (you can download the software on usmle.org)

* call prometric to confirm time/date

 

Day Before Test:

Relax, work out, watch a movie, etc….nothing stressful…..you wouldn’t run a practice marathon the day before the real race…..so rest your brain

 

Test Day Advice

* only mark a few Q’s per section for review and mark #’s on white board

* during breaks clear your head, don’t think about test or previous q’s

* Never press Alt+Control+Delete

* You can highlight and/or strike-out information in the Q and answers

* lab values are categorized, but still memorize before

* computer shortcuts: Enter or Spacebar = next question, Escape = closes labs or other popup boxes, Alt T= shows timers

* There is no warning about going over your break time on the screen, you have to keep track of your break yourself

* Passing is usually around 60-70% correct

* no digital watches, analog only

* take a 30 second breather at your seat during a block in you’re really stressed.

 

Score Report:

  • 3-6 weeks for score report, always comes on a Wednesday
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