The USMLE requires both speed and accuracy on the part of the candidate. What are some useful test-taking strategies that can facilitate acing the exams?

Answer 1

Learn to prioritize your questions. If you know you're weaker with biostats, then mark a reasonable-looking answer, mark the question, and move on. If you have time, go back to those questions at the end of the section. Also, practice writing our your 2X2 tables and general equations. A lot. Know which data points go where. On test day, it will save you so much time if you don't have to anguish over those small details.

Answer 2

There are many different approaches but I found reading the answers choices and last sentence of the question first really helped me save time!

Answer 3

Here are some useful test taking strategies for NBME and USMLE exams. These are in addition to having strong foundational and clinical knowledge. Keep in mind these strategies have to be practiced in test simulated environments well before you take the actual exam. Test simulated means full length, timed, random question blocks without any distractions. Simulating the test taking environment also builds familiarity and decreases test anxiety. Prior to USMLE exams you are allowed to book your "free 150" at a Prometric center to get a feel for test conditions.

Approaching individual multiple choice question vignette. Here is a commonly used method:

1. Read the last line of the question and see what they are actually asking
2. Look at the answer choices
3. Ask yourself what concept are they testing (diagnosis, treatment, pathophys., next step I management...)
4. Read through the question and pick out the pertinent info (eg. Acute onset RLQ pain, fever of 103.7F, elevated WBC count, nausea, vomiting in a young male most likely points to appendicitis)
5. Click your answer and move on. Don't dwell on it. Mark it if your unsure and come back if you have time

An Approach for the test as a whole:

1. Start your block by using the above method for each question. Don't spend more than 1 minute dwelling if you don't know it right away. Future questions may spark an epiphany in you!
2. If you don't know the answer after a read through mark it and click any answer (just so nothing is left blank)
3. Save the time waster questions for the end (eg. 3 page clinical studies that ask you to calculate the Absolute risk reduction from the data on page 2)
4. Finish the questions you know. You should have plenty of time left to go over all your marked questions and complete the time waster questions.

And remember to take care of yourself while studying. Get proper sleep, nutrition and hydrate. This will improve performance and score as well.

Answer 4

·        Start your preparation early

·        Try to set a goal- The average USMLE scores are in the 220-240 range

·        Practice, practice, practice!! It is very important to keep practicing test questions. This will improve your confidence and you will start seeing a pattern as to how questions are asked in the exam.

·        Try taking as many practice tests as possible

Answer 5

I believe that any student who is smart enough to get admitted to medical school should be able to challenge and ace the USMLE. Given the tons of material and information (both basic sciences and clinical) a student needs to contend with, one strategy for passing the USMLE is getting organized, "pacing", and practice! practice!! practice!!! You might have come across some very brilliant students focusing more and more on reading several text books close to the exam but still ending up failing the exam; whereas some average students chose to focus on revising 'high-yield' topics, practicing lots of board-like sample exam questions (while patiently investing quality time in understating the rationale for both missed and 'guessed-right' questions), simulating the exam a few times, and then acing it! Again, the USMLE requires both speed and accuracy on the part of the candidate. The smarter way to go therefore is, without question, the latter!