Nuts & Bolts: Policy, Registration, Study
Schedules & Support Services
October 19, 2015
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Review UC Davis SOM policy related to Step 1
Provide information related to registration,
scheduling and testing accommodations for
Step 1
Describe support available as you prepare for
Step 1
Identify essential study resources for Step 1
Provide an outline of deadlines and events
related to Step 1 preparation
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You must take and complete the exam by the
Friday prior to the beginning of Transition to
Clerkship
◦ Friday, April 22
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Exceptions to this date can only be granted
by the Committee on Student Promotions
◦ http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/mdprogram/medic
alstudentpolicies/csp/step1policy.html
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Karin Nilsson, Ph.D., (Student Health and
Counseling Services) Mondays and Thursdays
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Stephen Simonson, Psy.D. (SOM/ASAP)
Wednesdays & Fridays
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Both of us are reached for initial appointment
requests through medschoolcounseling@ucdavis.edu
Hour-long strategy session for emotionally/mentally
preparing for study period offered January 2016 (noon
time)
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Set your plan, then follow it—prevent
avoidance/perfectionism from getting in the
way
◦ Small steps add up. Returning to your plan is more
important than being perfect at it.
Practicing Mindful Presence/Breathing
• Learning happens in the present
•
Diaphragmatic Breathing supports being present
Let’s Practice!
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Go to www.nbme.org
Click on “Log-in to NBME Licensing Exam
Services”
Follow prompts to complete registration
Select 90-day eligibility period
Print form, attach picture and deliver form to
Registrar’s Office – Room 1208
◦ Take your ID when you submit form!
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What is an eligibility period?
◦ 90 day window in which you may schedule/take
your exam
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You can not test outside of your eligibility
period unless you:
◦ File for a one time extension
 $70 fee, no new scheduling permit until original
eligibility expires
 Re-register for the exam (i.e. pay another $600)
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The first month of your eligibility period
should be the month in which you are going
to test.
◦ Last course ends February 26, 2016.
◦ Boards study typically lasts ~6 weeks.
 Eligibility
period: April-May-June
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Accommodations for documented disabilities
covered under the Americans with Disabilities
Act
Request for Personal Item Exceptions
◦ Hearing aids, insulin pumps, inhalers, etc.
◦ http://www.usmle.org/bulletin/applying-and-scheduling/#disabilities
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You will receive an e-mail telling you that
your scheduling permit is available
Log-in, click on “Scheduling Permit”
Go to Prometric website and schedule your
test date.
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Think about how short/long you want you
study period to be
◦ Optimal is somewhere around six weeks
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All successful study plans include:
◦ Scheduled days off
◦ Scheduled days for practice tests/question based
review
◦ Scheduled days for final review
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Plans may need to include:
◦ “special days off” – Weddings, birthdays, poster
presentations, etc.
April 2016
March 2016
Sun
Mon
29
Tue
1
Wed
2
Thu
3
Fri
4
Sat
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
1
5
Sat
2
Q
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
3
4
5
6
7
8
Q
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
NBME
10
21
22
23
24
25
26
11
R
Q
20
9
12
R
13
R
14
R
REST
15
16
TEST!!
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18
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25
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27
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NBME
27
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31
25 study days
3 question bank “practice tests”
2 NBME practice tests
3.5 days of cumulative review
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OSLER will help you build a study schedule
and plan the study that is best for you!
There are many methods out there:
◦ DIT, Kaplan, Penn Method, Taus Method, Questions
Only, Two Pass, etc.
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All are variations on a theme
◦ Different curricula, different goals, different exams
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Be informed!!!
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Schedule an appointment with OSLER
It may take two appointments…
◦ Appointment 1- weekly schedule
 Day 1 to exam day
 When do I review? When do I do a practice test? How
many days for Renal?
◦ Appointment 2 – daily schedule
 How long is a study day? How long for Heme
pathology?
 What do I do during the four hours scheduled for CV
pharm?
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First Aid for the USMLE Step 1 – 2016 edition
Plus One
◦ ONE additional reference per discipline
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Anatomy/Histology
Biochemistry
Physiology
Immunology/Microbiology
Pathology
Pharmacology
Embryology
Question Bank
◦ USMLE World
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Different levels of support to meet your
individual needs:
◦ Lowest level: help creating a study schedule (or
feedback on a schedule you have created), choosing
supplemental resources and reassurance that you
can do this
◦ Medium level: help assessing results of the BSX,
individual appointments throughout boards study
to help with quizzing, review and confidence
◦ Highest level: Boards Review Class
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Six week guided study
Focused on approach, strategy
◦ NOT a content based review
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Designed to provide structure, accountability
and additional support for those who need it
Informational meeting on December 16 at 11
am
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December 2 – noon
◦ Reviewing Behavioral Science & Psychiatry
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December 7 – 1-5 pm
◦ BSX Exam (required!)
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December 16 – 11 am
◦ Information session for students interested in
Boards Review class
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On-going November-February
◦ Individual appointments to create a Step 1 study
plan
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October-December
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Complete registration
Select and schedule test day
Meet with OSLER to create/review study schedule
Take BSX exam – December 7
January-February
◦ Review results of BSX
◦ Revise study schedule (if necessary)
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March-April
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Activate Question bank
Purchase NBME practice exams
Study!
Take Step 1
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Be informed
Be systematic
Be reflective
Know yourself and what works for you
Ask questions now
Help is available
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Accountability Buddy
◦ Discuss what you plan to do, and check in about
whether you have met your plan. Not about how
well you are doing; not about how much you are
learning.
◦ Let’s practice again.
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Step 1and Residency
◦ Dr. Jones
◦ ldjones@ucdavis.edu
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Study Support, Testing Accommodations &
Personal Item Exceptions
◦ Joanna Arnold
 jcarnold@ucdavis.edu
◦ Richard Moses
 ricmoses@ucdavis.edu
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Emotional Well-being and Support
◦ medschoolcounseling@ucdavis.edu