How to Pass USMLE STEP1 in 8 weeks

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  • Опубліковано 7 жов 2023
  • There's no shortcut to studying for STEP1 - but having a plan surely makes it easier! In this video, I go over 12 pieces of advice I wish someone told me before embarking on the brutal journey to taking the USMLE STEP1 exam. I cover the specifics of my experience as well as explain my 8-week plan to pass the exam.
    ______________________
    Below are some helpful links:
    Alex's STEP1 Plan: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...
    High Yield Anatomy: drive.google.com/file/d/1WyZN...
    High Yield Images: drive.google.com/file/d/1c5Ej...
    Dirty Medicine Biochem Playlist:
    • Biochemistry & Genetics
    ______________________
    Hey! ~ My name is Alex and I'm an M3 at Tulane University. I vlog for fun sometimes, even when my days aren't that interesting (lol enjoy). If you're new to this channel (or a prospective Tulane student), SUBSCRIBE for more content on my college experience!
    Instagram: / alex.suh
    If you're reading this, comment when your favorite Sketchy video
    Current Subscriber Count: 6,324

КОМЕНТАРІ • 183

  • @BlotchyScrawls
    @BlotchyScrawls 8 місяців тому +12

    Well done, and thank you for being transparent. THAT is what is going to help others - the truth! Congratulations 🎉 you deserve all the accolades! Well done 🙏 🙏 🙏

    • @AlexSuh
      @AlexSuh  8 місяців тому +1

      Thank you so much - when i was writing the script, i was unsure how detailed i wanted it. In the end, i the video i wish i had from day 1

  • @yazminjavier9704
    @yazminjavier9704 4 місяці тому +2

    I just want to say thank you ! This is very helpful. Very realistic!

    • @AlexSuh
      @AlexSuh  2 місяці тому

      I was aiming for transparency! glad it helped :)

  • @cristalm3606
    @cristalm3606 4 місяці тому +3

    Thank you for sharing and being transparent. I really appreciate that, and it has helped me a lot to stay encouraged and keep pushing even if my first few scores are not what I was expecting. Thanks again

    • @AlexSuh
      @AlexSuh  4 місяці тому

      eveyone starts at different spots! Glad the transparency helped- felt like it was needed to get the "motivating" point across through this video

  • @hussammohamed6401
    @hussammohamed6401 4 місяці тому +2

    THIS GEM
    THAANKK YOUU TONSSSS

  • @alisonschultz4318
    @alisonschultz4318 Місяць тому +7

    Currently studying for Step1 and I keep watching this video over and over again. Your plan really helped me get on track and study efficiently. Thank you so much for being so transparent and realistic, you really helped me feel like I can do this!

    • @AlexSuh
      @AlexSuh  Місяць тому +2

      You got this! glad the transparency helped - A lot of the stuff found on Reddit oftentimes hides the 'human/emotional' aspect of the process, so i'm glad that my story helped a little

  • @saramohsen6373
    @saramohsen6373 21 день тому

    I am so thankful for this video
    Thank you so much and I hope you grow to become the most fulfilled and skillful doctor out there

    • @AlexSuh
      @AlexSuh  21 день тому +1

      will always keep trying my best!

  • @rhosoojin191
    @rhosoojin191 25 днів тому

    You are so inspiring !

  • @thepersonaofgrace
    @thepersonaofgrace 3 місяці тому

    Great video! Thank you so much for al the info, definitely very helpful

    • @AlexSuh
      @AlexSuh  2 місяці тому +1

      best of luck!

  • @DUNNIIv
    @DUNNIIv Місяць тому +1

    You have got a new subscriber
    Love from Nigeria❤

    • @AlexSuh
      @AlexSuh  21 день тому +1

      Planning on visiting Nigeria one day!

  • @emeksb4823
    @emeksb4823 8 місяців тому +2

    Congratulations.

    • @AlexSuh
      @AlexSuh  7 місяців тому

      Thank you!

  • @egogoloba381
    @egogoloba381 Місяць тому

    Your video is the most therapeutic I’ve seen after scoring 54% on UWSA1 and exam is in 4 weeks. I was freaking out and didn’t know if that meant that I needed more time beyond the 4 weeks left.

    • @AlexSuh
      @AlexSuh  Місяць тому

      Keep up the hustle! Currently studying for STEP2 - I also felt discouraged at points during this process, but looking back at STEP1 dedicated period, I think it's important to trust the process (even when you're not performing at your expectations), because you'll get there eventually. best of luck!

  • @atefmd2232
    @atefmd2232 5 місяців тому +1

    I rarely fo comments but thnx for that experience wish u a great career ahead
    Bro, the shirt in 1min,34sec is the eyptian football shirt 🔥❤️

    • @AlexSuh
      @AlexSuh  5 місяців тому +1

      Good catch!!!

  • @mandgg
    @mandgg 5 місяців тому

    thank you so much fort this video

    • @AlexSuh
      @AlexSuh  5 місяців тому

      glad it was helpful!

  • @rajmathew6220
    @rajmathew6220 8 місяців тому +4

    Love the transparency here, it goes beyond any other video of this nature. Hope it goes viral. Can you share the anatomy HY deck you mentioned?

    • @AlexSuh
      @AlexSuh  8 місяців тому +1

      ankiweb.net/shared/info/1288835786

  • @amelfatima
    @amelfatima 2 місяці тому

    Thank youuuuuuu big relate

  • @rodrigokoeche5186
    @rodrigokoeche5186 3 місяці тому

    True hero

  • @sr689
    @sr689 6 місяців тому

    Thank you❤

    • @sr689
      @sr689 6 місяців тому

      I am in med4 year 2. I will take my exam in September probably.
      Do you have any study advice for me?

  • @bush3883
    @bush3883 4 місяці тому +6

    1. Take a diagnostic exam
    2. Dont compare
    3. Take diagnostic every week or at least every 10 days
    4. Start early
    5. Ditch Anki
    6. Keep pushing forward, build endurance
    7. Forgetting curve, review
    8. Take breaks
    9. Study by systems
    10. 70% goal
    11. Day before, dont study
    12. 7 blocks 40 questions per day

    • @AlexSuh
      @AlexSuh  4 місяці тому +2

      Thanks for summarizing :) I feel like it's important to listen to the reaonsing behind every point to emphasize the story-telling aspect, rather than the actual raw study content. Hope it is effective advice for everyone who watches the video!

  • @Lelouch368
    @Lelouch368 5 місяців тому +3

    My Fav is Staph Aureus (The one that started it all 💪)

    • @AlexSuh
      @AlexSuh  5 місяців тому +1

      first to read the description!!

  • @makomenteshashvili6959
    @makomenteshashvili6959 5 місяців тому

    thank you so mucccccccccch

    • @AlexSuh
      @AlexSuh  5 місяців тому

      You're welcome 😊

  • @parveenqureshi7972
    @parveenqureshi7972 2 місяці тому

    I watch your video everytime I loose motivation and I get a little bit of confidence back. Thank you so very much for sharing. I go through this emotions everyday. This is very very very helpful. The plan seems very realistic. The only thing that I am still having confusion with is how did you manage to get 59% in your 2nd NBME exam when you weren’t done with studying all the systems by then ?

    • @AlexSuh
      @AlexSuh  Місяць тому +1

      Much of the knowledge was from my in-house lectures over the last 18 months at my University. I was not studying from scratch

  • @user-kf1lv4nd4f
    @user-kf1lv4nd4f 4 місяці тому

    how can we get the systemic study video?

  • @ahmedtawfik2575
    @ahmedtawfik2575 Місяць тому

    Amazing video, tysm! How many questions have you done before Jan, 9? And how many practice questions have you done in total? Just finished M1 and spending sometime over the summer to review M1 content; I feel like I forgot 80% of it!

    • @AlexSuh
      @AlexSuh  Місяць тому

      you're already ahead of the game! I did 0 qustions before Jan 9 (bc I was focused on acing my in-house exams). This is why my scores were not where I wanted them to be, so I really had to cram for the exam. It all comes back towards the end!

  • @charachinwendu4373
    @charachinwendu4373 8 місяців тому +3

    Thanks for this piece! What videos do you recommend

    • @AlexSuh
      @AlexSuh  7 місяців тому +1

      Boards and Beyond
      Sketchy Pharm and Micro
      Dirty Medicine Biochemistry
      Pathoma

  • @williamsanthony5554
    @williamsanthony5554 4 місяці тому +53

    I just failed the USMLE exam. 😔🥺 I cannot begin to articulate the level of embarrassment and heartache I'm feeling. This is so heartbreaking 💔

    • @hilliard226
      @hilliard226 4 місяці тому +29

      Just say "I haven't passed yet." Don't take it as a failure but see it as a learning opportunity. There is a lot of power in "Yet", you are telling yourself that you will get there and that your eyes and heart are still fixed on your goal.

    • @Madeline-gn3rx
      @Madeline-gn3rx 4 місяці тому +2

      You will pass I believe everyone has their season, just keep going pray, and believe you will receive

    • @NathanWilliams-sq4nc
      @NathanWilliams-sq4nc 4 місяці тому +5

      I failed 3 times, and I lost money to reviews that never helped but the major thing is that I've not lost hope

    • @JinTao-ps7yi
      @JinTao-ps7yi 4 місяці тому +3

      I took the step 1 last month. I'm very disappointed, the exam is not even close to the practice material that the prep book sells online. The level of difficulty is like 5x or 6x.

    • @rhondabhubbard
      @rhondabhubbard 4 місяці тому +1

      I'm sorry about your plight my friend but I was once in your shoes before I was recommended to Mr Richard Brown and that's how I passed My STEP 1

  • @FatimaBoud99
    @FatimaBoud99 7 місяців тому

    Hi Alex thank you for helping and being transparent 🙏. Would like to ask if you have an advice how to build a revision system from the beginning while progressing on step 1 prep to overcome that forgetting curve without 100% relating on Anki as those cards eventually will keep building up endlessly and it becomes harder and harder to progress through?

    • @AlexSuh
      @AlexSuh  7 місяців тому

      you can undoubtedly still use Anki - I would recommend unsuspending cards that pertain to topics that you find challenging - it's just that when you have 300+ cards a day, it takes away from other time to do practice questions. After doing your weekly practice NBME exams, also look at the topics you seem to struggle in and spend extra time (re)learning those sections. It will be a constant battle reviewing older topics while learning new ones.

    • @jyotidubey1008
      @jyotidubey1008 4 місяці тому

      Hi Alex ! Thanks for ur wonderful video. It's a great motivator guide for all groping in dark of how to go about it. Request you to share your daily timetable and weekly timetable for me to follow. One more question . All the resources which you purchased were text books or online resources. And which is better . I am used to online learning rather than books

  • @mohammedarar3073
    @mohammedarar3073 19 днів тому

    how can i take the diagnostic test??, that you said to take earlier
    and where can i take it

  • @kev10roma
    @kev10roma 5 місяців тому +1

    Hey thank you for the vid. Not sure if i missed this but want to know what the parts in your excel sheet mean when you have for example Pathology General Principles (41), or Cardiology (419). Thanks!

    • @AlexSuh
      @AlexSuh  5 місяців тому +1

      Those are the total questions for the category so I can ballpark estimate how many questions I have to get done

  • @reticenceofpain
    @reticenceofpain 3 місяці тому

    Did you buy the exams every week?

  • @user-sg5ok7ni3n
    @user-sg5ok7ni3n 5 місяців тому +1

    Hey! Thank you so much for this video!!! For someone who feels slightly behind, I was wondering if you began step 1 studying before this 12 week period/ if you had anki unsuspended for all of the cards before this 12 week period.

    • @AlexSuh
      @AlexSuh  5 місяців тому

      Technically, i was studying for STEP1 since the first year of medical school. It wasn't until that 12-week period that I started reviewing old/new material. I previously unsuspended some anki cards for their dedicated blocks, then suspended them thereafter.

  • @kelvinokolocha765
    @kelvinokolocha765 5 місяців тому

    Thnx for this video
    Saw you did a certain amount of uworld question..was it randomized per week or based on subject?

    • @AlexSuh
      @AlexSuh  5 місяців тому

      Based on subject. Eventually scrambled as I got closer to my exam

    • @kelvinokolocha765
      @kelvinokolocha765 5 місяців тому

      Thank you 🙏🙏🙏

  • @kcarter8115
    @kcarter8115 7 місяців тому +2

    your excel says Anki. How many Anki cards did you do and were they cards for the material you covered for that week?

    • @AlexSuh
      @AlexSuh  7 місяців тому +1

      Before i quit using anki, i was doing about 300 cards per day, which felt like was taking away valuable studying time from other materials... so I eventually dropped it about 4 weeks out from the exam

  • @truthteller2711
    @truthteller2711 8 місяців тому +18

    Unpopular opinion but as someone who took step 1 I discourage abandoning Anki as long as ur not doing more than 500 a day. U can suspend the step 1 only cards after the exam and it’ll make step 2 more bearable 👍

    • @AlexSuh
      @AlexSuh  8 місяців тому

      For sure agree! I started unsuspending my STEP2 cards now - but it does get tough when i have even >300 per day. In terms of STEP1, it gets a little too unbearable towards the end

    • @basilwilson3815
      @basilwilson3815 4 місяці тому +1

      I just failed the USMLE exam. 😔🥺 I cannot begin to articulate the level of embarrassment and heartache I'm feeling. This is so heartbreaking 💔

    • @cynthiamorgan4184
      @cynthiamorgan4184 4 місяці тому

      Well! Mann I've taken the Step 1 for the second time now and still didn't succeed, I wonder how those who succeeded did it

    • @katherinemanneback8844
      @katherinemanneback8844 4 місяці тому

      I have been putting off taking the USMLE exam for a while bc I'm afraid I'II fail it. That book full of problems feels so daunting when you think you have to relearn everything from the beginning. Glad I ran across this video ,

    • @yulianagonzalez8897
      @yulianagonzalez8897 4 місяці тому

      You'll know him Too? I even thought I was the only one he had helped walk through the fears and falls of USMLE STEP 1, Mr. Richard has brought me out of the trenches and to a better living, and I encourage repeat exam takers to work with him.

  • @alirazabinakram4876
    @alirazabinakram4876 2 місяці тому

    thanks for sharing useful links in description. can you tell me from where we have to prepare physiology for USMLE? please

    • @AlexSuh
      @AlexSuh  Місяць тому

      i would use UWorld as the primary resource. Consider watching boards and beyond physiology videos

  • @justinmorrison1338
    @justinmorrison1338 Місяць тому

    Thanks for sharing! Did you also do anki for Dirty Medicine biochem or just watch the videos?

    • @AlexSuh
      @AlexSuh  Місяць тому +1

      just watched the videos, and took a few notes here and there. His stuff is super high yield and may come back during clerkships

  • @honeyaashraf6149
    @honeyaashraf6149 8 місяців тому +5

    I’m looking for the sketchy pharma video link .I can’t afford it I’ll be grateful if anyone will share it with me TIA

  • @ZainabZaheer-q3f
    @ZainabZaheer-q3f 4 дні тому

    What are diagnostic test??

  • @hades8737
    @hades8737 4 місяці тому

    I’m in highschool currently will join college in a few months for pre-med and this is honestly pretty depressing 😅

    • @AlexSuh
      @AlexSuh  4 місяці тому +2

      make sure you know why you want to be a doctor before pursuing the path...

  • @jaymata1218
    @jaymata1218 2 місяці тому

    Getting it down in 12 weeks is impressive. How much of anki did you stay on top of prior to dedicated?

    • @AlexSuh
      @AlexSuh  2 місяці тому +1

      I tried keeping about half my Pathoma anki cards unsuspended (especially Ch 1-3). I ended up suspending Sketchy because I was able to remember the concepts more easily.

  • @drn2359
    @drn2359 7 місяців тому

    How about usmle rx? Learning with it a doing qns in it.? Have u heard anyone doing that?

    • @AlexSuh
      @AlexSuh  6 місяців тому +1

      I utilized USMLE Rx earlier in the semester, but found it was resource-overload. I recommend limiting your resources to the ones mentioned and UWorld.

  • @khadijaali8701
    @khadijaali8701 5 місяців тому +1

    I have my step 1 in 2 months but my uworld scores are very low 40-50% is it very bad? What should i do

    • @AlexSuh
      @AlexSuh  5 місяців тому

      2 months out, I scored a 45%. Keep working hard!

  • @alexanderchochev3589
    @alexanderchochev3589 Місяць тому +1

    When you say diagnostics, what resource or site are you referring to? A little confused with regards to what you mean by doing a diagnostic every week.

    • @AlexSuh
      @AlexSuh  Місяць тому +1

      diagnostic = NBME practice exam or UWorld Self-Assessment

  • @thanatthamthospornvichai2324
    @thanatthamthospornvichai2324 6 місяців тому

    What did you use for Heme Onc?

    • @AlexSuh
      @AlexSuh  6 місяців тому

      For supplemental resources, I read through the tables in First Aid. You may want to consider unsuspending some Anki cards that pertain to the chromosomal translocations for some of the diseases.

  • @Dr.Muskan.24
    @Dr.Muskan.24 7 місяців тому +3

    Can you share your pathoma and sketchy anki decks?

    • @achitpol_t9805
      @achitpol_t9805 7 місяців тому +1

      Maybe Duke's Pathoma and Pepper Sketchy ?

    • @Dr.Muskan.24
      @Dr.Muskan.24 7 місяців тому

      @@achitpol_t9805 yes

  • @isabelgonzalez-bocco3200
    @isabelgonzalez-bocco3200 4 місяці тому

    can you share the Biostats playlist?

    • @AlexSuh
      @AlexSuh  4 місяці тому

      ua-cam.com/video/75pQPB1RF50/v-deo.htmlsi=4OOCWcgbwagF8iJl

  • @aminanasari2079
    @aminanasari2079 4 місяці тому

    Hey! Were you watching the bnb vids and then doing the corresponding cards the same day? and did you keep up w the anki? i feel like without doing the anki, the vids might not stick but also doing the anki takes super long

    • @AlexSuh
      @AlexSuh  4 місяці тому

      I would not recomend doing the corresponding anki cards with BnB, that would be too aggressive. I started to wean down anki cards towards the end because it's more time effective to do questions instead.

    • @aminanasari2079
      @aminanasari2079 4 місяці тому

      @@AlexSuh Thank you! I think I wukk watch the videos and skim FA then do qs! Maybe keeping up w only the pathoma and sketchy pharm/micro cards throughout dedicated

  • @SketchyLearning
    @SketchyLearning 3 місяці тому +1

    we try not to play favorites 🤪

    • @AlexSuh
      @AlexSuh  2 місяці тому +1

      you were my favorite resource by far!!!

    • @SketchyLearning
      @SketchyLearning 2 місяці тому

      @@AlexSuh ❤

  • @doctordanelly7811
    @doctordanelly7811 11 годин тому

    Where can I buy the resources

  • @user-dz8vf8mv1l
    @user-dz8vf8mv1l 3 місяці тому

    Hello Alex do you have flash cards?

    • @AlexSuh
      @AlexSuh  2 місяці тому

      Go download AnKing!

  • @abigiyaberassa9697
    @abigiyaberassa9697 4 місяці тому

    Is it okay to use first aid 2023 for usmle 2024?

    • @AlexSuh
      @AlexSuh  4 місяці тому

      it should be fine! Can't imagine medicine changing that much in one year :)

  • @drn2359
    @drn2359 7 місяців тому

    Is there a way to get free pathoma and sketchy anywhere

    • @AlexSuh
      @AlexSuh  6 місяців тому

      there are ways, but you may need to ask around...

  • @emeksb4823
    @emeksb4823 8 місяців тому

    I love how you said you are about to go to war. It is actually a battle lol.

    • @AlexSuh
      @AlexSuh  8 місяців тому

      in the grand scheme of things, def was only a battle - but felt like terrible in the moment 😅

    • @emeksb4823
      @emeksb4823 8 місяців тому

      @@AlexSuh yea that’s how I feel as I’m trying to prepare for a huge exam.

  • @MohammedSayed-fq6uf
    @MohammedSayed-fq6uf 6 місяців тому +1

    The Egyptian jersey is a whole another topic that you need to tell us about. 🇪🇬

    • @AlexSuh
      @AlexSuh  5 місяців тому

      Will do in a future video!

  • @aseelbalubaid
    @aseelbalubaid 5 місяців тому

    what about mehlman pdfs

    • @AlexSuh
      @AlexSuh  5 місяців тому

      Melman pdfs are a great review resource. However, much of his material was taken straight from the NBME sample tests, so they will inherently falsely elevate the practice test scores. IMO, they should only be reviewed AFTER all the practice tests have been taken.

  • @edm1852
    @edm1852 7 місяців тому

    You weren’t studying any microbiology and virusology ?

    • @AlexSuh
      @AlexSuh  7 місяців тому

      All included in Sketchy Micro!

  • @DUNNIIv
    @DUNNIIv Місяць тому

    I would love to know the right anki decks you used?

    • @AlexSuh
      @AlexSuh  21 день тому +1

      www.reddit.com/r/medicalschoolanki/comments/swjqzh/anking_overhaul_step_1step_2_version_11_update/

    • @DUNNIIv
      @DUNNIIv 21 день тому

      Thank you so much.

  • @faiona2120
    @faiona2120 2 місяці тому

    I’m worried that my basic knowledge is lacking, but I've been working hard and improving in clinical practice. Do you think I can pass the USMLE in just four months?"

    • @AlexSuh
      @AlexSuh  2 місяці тому

      i think you cna do it in 8 weeks!

    • @faiona2120
      @faiona2120 2 місяці тому

      @@AlexSuh really? 😔I'm very worried about taking the exam and failing, especially since it's challenging for me. I'll only have the summer vacation available for studying, and I plan to study for a specific duration of 9 hours per day. At the end of the month, there will be a review.
      people around me keep saying that I need a whole year to pass, and it's causing me to feel discouraged

  • @anjafernandez758
    @anjafernandez758 7 місяців тому

    Which videos are you talking about ?

    • @AlexSuh
      @AlexSuh  7 місяців тому

      Boards and Beyond
      Sketchy Pharm and Micro
      Dirty Medicine Biochemistry
      Pathoma

  • @aneelsakhi4741
    @aneelsakhi4741 7 місяців тому

    where can u take diagnostic exam?

    • @AlexSuh
      @AlexSuh  7 місяців тому +1

      www.nbme.org/
      Amboss also has free diagnostic tests, which I took for my first exam. Otherwise, you may be able to find other NBME exams floating around on reddit or other google drives.

  • @oko098
    @oko098 5 місяців тому

    1:35 why are u wearing the Egyptian national team shirt 😭
    I am Egyptian and i don’t wear it 😭 , that’s so cool tho shows u have style

    • @AlexSuh
      @AlexSuh  5 місяців тому +1

      HAHAHAA, that's a video for another day that was never able to make. Good catch!

    • @oko098
      @oko098 5 місяців тому

      @@AlexSuh haha ok doc I’ll be waiting
      Thx

  • @shaikshafi1284
    @shaikshafi1284 8 місяців тому

    Wonderful i myself an img i don't know anything about nbme self assessment can you give a comment regarding it
    1) can i take it in home with on my mobile
    2) can i buy it myself and write it myself without involving the college or any other institution
    3) is it efficient
    You may find some questions silly bit i have zero knowledge in these issues as none my friends know about usmle so olease provide a comment .

    • @AlexSuh
      @AlexSuh  7 місяців тому

      1. Would recommend taking on a laptop, but you may be able to do it on a mobile device
      2. Yes, you can take independently of an institution
      3. Most efficient way to test pre-clinical knowledge

    • @shaikshafi1284
      @shaikshafi1284 7 місяців тому

      @@AlexSuh thank you so much 🙏🏼🙏🏼

  • @futureleader8832
    @futureleader8832 Місяць тому

    Bro you passed cause you have the egyption national team T shirt .🤣🤣🤣🤣

    • @AlexSuh
      @AlexSuh  Місяць тому

      Mo Salah gave me the power i needed

  • @user-tx4yn7en9u
    @user-tx4yn7en9u Місяць тому

    go to war lol
    step 1 is not going to a war lol

    • @AlexSuh
      @AlexSuh  Місяць тому

      *figure of speech*

  • @ani_rajkumar
    @ani_rajkumar 19 днів тому

    Typical wannabe guy with all his little anki pathoma sketchy thingies🤡