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com as of April 16, 2016

Dear Student Physician,

Thank you for purchasing my study plan for the
USMLE Step 1 exam. Ive advised students with
these tips for many years with much successI
have even given this guide to my own children!
Now, I am very happy to have the opportunity to
offer this tried-and-true formula for success to
students all over the world.
For more than two decades, I have taught
physiology, pharmacology, epidemiology, and
other high-yield subjects to medical students and
international medical graduates preparing for the
most important exam of their professional lives.
From Toronto to Chicago, Dubai to Delhi, Ive
learned as much from my students as I hope they have learned from me.
It is with this experience that I move beyond simply teaching testable material: As
an educator, I want to share the knowledge Ive gained not just on topics covered
on the board exams, but also on the practice of medicine, self-improvement, and
physician work-life balance. This is why I have partnered with my children, Dr.
Farah Kudrath, Dr. Abdulla Kudrath, and Dr. Umar Kudrath, to create a resource
for students who have devoted their careers to the noble calling of medicine.
KudrathHealthEducation.com is a web site with products, services, and study tips
for students, residents, and physicians who want to excel in their academic,
professional, and personal endeavors. After you have successfully completed the
USMLE Step 1 exam, check back with us and utilize our growing menu of
offerings to nourish the mind and the soul. I am proud of what weve done so far,
but Im more excited about whats to come.
Thanks again, and see you soon,

Dr. Wazir Kudrath

Chairman of Kudrath Health Education
Wazir.Kudrath@KudrathHealthEducation.com

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USMLE STEP 1
Study Plan

DEFINE YOUR GOAL SCORE

If you don't know where you're going, how are you going to get there?

Goal Score > 240

Set a goal score for yourself and believe you will achieve it-because if you don't, who will?
Consider what specialty and programs you are applying for, and
calibrate your goal to meet their expectations.
If you follow this study plan, you will be prepared and more likely to
score above average on the USMLE Step 1 exam. There is no luck,
no magic, no tricks. Do the work, get the result.
Mean USMLE Step 1 Score of
all matched US Seniors: 230

Mean USMLE Step 1 Score of all

unmatched US Seniors: 221

Mean USMLE Step 1 Score of

all matched US IMGs: 217
Mean USMLE Step 1 Score of
all matched Non-US IMGs: 227

Mean USMLE Step 1 Score of all

unmatched US IMGs: 204
Mean USMLE Step 1 Score of all
unmatched Non-US IMGs: 213

Average USMLE Step 1 Scores for Matched Applicants by Specialty

270
241

240
226
218

232

231 229
222

220

212

232

235

231

230
224

226

Pathology

Emergency
Medicine

226

230

230

223

214

210
Family
Medicine

Pediatrics

Internal
Medicine

Psychiatry

US Seniors

General
Surgery

Radiology

Ob/Gyn

Anesthesiology

Independent Applicants
Source: NRMP, "Charting Outcomes in the Match", 2014

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YOUR ESTIMATED TEST DATE

You can't study for Step 1 indefinitely: Register for an exam date.
First, take a diagnostic test to see where you're starting from: I highly
recommend NBME Test #12.
After you take a diagnostic test, you'll get a three digit score.

DIAGNOS TIC SCORE

Most students will
be in these two
categories, so
DON'T PANIC!

<180
180-210
>210
If your diagnostic score is < 180:
FULL TIME STUDY
(8 - 10 hrs/day)

PART TIME STUDY

(4-5 hrs/day)

6 months + 14 days

12 months + 14 days

~ 25 days/month

~ 25 days/month

~ 8 hours/day

~ 4 hours/day

Estimated 1,200 hours of study

Estimated 1,200 hours of study

6 months x 25 days x 8 hours + (14 days x 8 hours) = 1,312

12 months x 25 days x 4 hours + (14 days x 8 hours) = 1,312

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If your diagnostic score is 180-210:

FULL TIME STUDY
(8 - 10 hrs/day)

PART TIME STUDY

(4-5 hrs/day)

4 months + 10 days

8 months + 10 days

~ 25 days/month

~ 25 days/month

~ 8 hours/day

~ 4 hours/day

Estimated 800 hours of study

Estimated 800 hours of study

4 months x 25 days x 8 hours + (10 days x 8 hours) = 880

8 months x 25 days x 4 hours + (14 days x 8 hours) = 880

If your diagnostic score is > 210:

2 months + 10 days

FULL TIME STUDY

(8 - 10 hrs/day)

~ 25 days/month
~ 8 hours/day
Estimated 400 hours of study

dy
Smart stu
:
r
e
b
m
e
m
Re
to time!
is inverse

SMART STUDY

2 months x 25 days x 8 hours + (10 days x 8 hours) = 480

TIME

APPLY TO SCHEDULE THE EXAM

ENROLL WITH NBME OR ECFMG
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STUDY MATERIALS
These are your tools. They won't build anything unless you use them.

MIND
MAPS

K
a
p
l
a
n
F
i
r
s
t
Uworld
BRS
Notes aid Q-Bank
to ch eck
D on't forget
d M aps!
out USM LE M in

ACTIVE LEARNING > PASSIVE LEARNING

SUBJECTS COVERED ON STEP 1 BY WEIGHT:

Pharmacology
Microbiology Pathology
Physiology Biochemistry
Embryology

Immunology

Anatomy and Histology

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STUDY STRATEGY BY SUBJECT

Start with high-yield subjects: Physiology, Pharmacology, and Pathology.

r study
u
o
y
g
in
t
a
e
r
When c
he 3 P's:
t
n
o
s
u
c
o
f
,
calendar
d path!
n
a
,
m
r
a
h
p
,
Phys

Distribution of Questions

Non-P's: 40.0 %

P's: 60.0 %

20% OF YOUR TIME ON EACH P

10% ON EACH NON-P

Example: For a diagnostic score < 180

6 MONTHS TO EXAM
20% PER P

Estimated 1,200 hours of study

total
1,200 x 0.20 = 240 hours per P
30 days per P (full time at 8
hrs/day)
1 month of study for Physiology, Pathology, Pharm

6 MONTHS TO EXAM
10% PER NON-P

Estimated 480 hours of study left

480 x 0.10 = 48 hours
About 6 days per non-P (full time
at 8 hrs/day)
About 1 week of study each for Biostats, Biochem, etc.

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WHY SPEND SO MUCH TIME ON 3 SUBJECTS?

The 3 P's not only account for the majority of the exam, they
also contain concepts that are necessary to understand prior
to mastering the non-P's.

Suggested Order of Topics:

Week 0
Complete
diagnostic
exam

Week 10

Complete 2nd practice exam

NBME Exam #11
(score should 5-10 points)

gy

Week 16

An
a
His tomy
to lo
a
gy nd
Bio
Be statis
hav tics
iora an
l Sc d
ien
Em
ce
bry
o lo
gy

che
m
Bio

Week 14

Ph
arm
aco
lo

istr
y

gy

Week 12

14 Day Review

Week 5

Mic
rob
iolo

lo g
y

Im

mu

no

lo g
y
Pat
ho

Ph
ysi
o lo

gy

(Using the 6 month timeline as an example)

Week 21

Week 20

Week 22
Complete 3rd
practice exam
NBME #17

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Progress Assessment:
(Using the 6 month timeline as an example)

Keep scheduled

Keep scheduled

exam date

exam date

Score > 220

No
3rd practice exam
(14 days until
scheduled test date)

Score: 200 - 220

Score < 220

Is your intended
specialty competitive?

Yes
Score < 200

Back to basics: make sure

you understand key
concepts and ASK FOR HELP

Take another
practice exam
(NBME #15 or #17)

Assess reasons for

slowed progress

Postpone exam
date 2 months

Postpone exam
date 1 month

poor study conditions/habits

second-guessing yourself
lack of conceptual undersanding

YOUR DAILY STUDY SCHEDULE

Success depends on your day-to-day discipline.

Mimic testing conditions by

adjusting your sleep schedule
Sit at a desk when studying,
not in your bed or on the couch
Start each day with Q&A (active
learning, not with reading
(passive)

Don't study in the middle of the

night, even if you are a night owl
Don't study during your scheduled
break times. Eat right and exercise.
Don't study with music playing or
the television on--there's no music
playing during the test!

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7:00 - 8:30 AM

Eat breakfast and get

dressed for your day

8:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Q&A on single subject using

UWorld or Q-bank

12:30 - 1:30 PM

Lunch
(Do NOT study during lunch)

11:00 PM - 7:00 AM

Sleep
(Do NOT sacrifice
sleep for study)
1:30 - 5:30 PM

Read notes/text on the same

subject as your morning Q&A

8:30 - 11:00 PM

Open Session: Can do another set of

Q&A or spend time doing more reading,
depending on your mood.

5:30 - 8:30 PM

ESS Time: Exercise, Shower, Socialize

(Do NOT skip ESS time for more studying)

tions are
Practice Ques
to test!
to teach , not

ALWAYS DO QUESTIONS BEFORE READING

Doing questions and going over the answers and explanations

before reading increases your retention of the material by
focusing your attention. Do not put them off in favor of reading!
You're supposed to get them wrong, that's how you learn.

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T-14 DAYS UNTIL EXAM

14

FINAL REVIEW

Eat healthy foods

Self-Care

Exercise daily
Align sleep schedule
with test schedule
Sleep 8 hours
every night

Sleep

Review key concepts

Memorize tedious facts in
embryology, rheumatology, etc.

First Aid

Read over answers and

explanations
2 Blocks of mixed
questions

UWorld

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T-1 DAYS UNTIL EXAM

MENTAL PREPARATION

STOP ALL STUDYING AT 4 PM!

u must do
o
y
,
m
p
4
r
e
t
f
a
ings!
these three th

Moderate exercise

Best dinner ever

See a chick-flick or comedy

Bedtime is 10 PM!
If you think you'll have trouble sleeping, take 3 mg of melatonin by 9 PM
but only if you have taken it before and know how you react to it.

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YOUR USMLE STEP 1 EXAM DAY

Your chance to demonstrate how much you've learned has arrived.

Goal Score > 240

re the test
Don't spend the morning befo
eath, relax, and
trying to cram-Take a deep br
ow an answer
trust yourself. If you don't kn
, and move on!
ick
cl
,
ile
Sm
y
pl
Sim
:
st
te
e
th
on

Breakfast: Protein > simple sugar

Skip tutorial

Lunch: Sandwich (no turkey), water

2 Blocks

Break

1 Block

Break

1 Block

Lunch

2 Blocks

Break

1 Block

Breaks: Use the restroom and stretch

CONGRATS
You made it !

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HOW TO REJOIN CIVILIZATION

Step out into the sunlight friends, the worst is over.
Your scores will be emailed to you three weeks after your exam date, usually on
the third Wednesday after your exam before noon.
If you passed the exam but didn't make your goal score, you can not retake the
exam--but don't worry, you are not doomed! (See below)
If you failed, you can retake the exam. Take time to cry and scream, but do not
quit! You will be a physician! Contact a mentor, your medical school dean, or
reach out to Dr. K (Wazir.Kudrath@KudrathHealthEducation.com).

MY SCORE IS BELOW AVERAGE FOR MY SPECIALTY:

WHAT DO I DO NOW?
Don't panic: Step 1 is only one of many factors programs consider in a residency
applicant. You are more than your Step 1 score!
Talk to a mentor in the field you are applying to and ask what you can do to make
yourself a good applicant (observerships, visiting student clinical rotations, research,
etc.)

I FAILED THE USMLE STEP 1: WHAT DO I DO NOW?

You failed the exam, but YOU ARE NOT A FAILURE.
Assess your study strategy: Did you follow this study plan to the letter? Did you give
yourself enough study time? If you don't change your strategy, you'll get the same
result.Reschedule your exam, but give yourself enough time to study.
Talk to a mentor in the field you are applying to and ask what you can do to make
yourself a good applicant (Step 2 score, visiting student clinical rotations, research, etc.)

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