The 33-Day Bootcamp

for USMLE® Step 1

You don‘t have to be great to start,
but you have to start to be great.
(Zig Ziglar)
About this Schedule

Switch on studies,
switch off everything else.

The USMLE Step 1 exam is more important today than it has ever been in the past.
Your USMLE Step 1 score is used as a gatekeeper for competitive and sought after
residency programs. Don’t let the opportunity to shine on Step 1 slip through your
fingertips. You don’t want to take the USMLE Step 1 exam and then tell yourself that you
wish you could have earned a better score. You want to do the absolute best now!
Moreso, don’t let any other medical student or anyone for that matter tell you that you
cannot dominate the USMLE Step 1 exam. Every year students around the nation achieve
top scores and match into their top residency programs of choice. ANY medical student
can get an excellent score on the USMLE Step 1 exam, it’s all about how you strategically
plan and carefully study for the exam.
Traditionally, students spend roughly 3 months studying in a dedicated fashion for the
USMLE exam. However, life does not always give you a dedicated 3-month period to
study for the USMLE Step 1 exam. For example, some medical schools may only permit
one month of dedicated study time or students may find themselves in situation where
they only have one month for intense USMLE Step 1 studying. When life gives you lemons,
you make lemonade. When life gives you one month to crush the USMLE Step 1 exam, you
study strategically and make most out of each day.

Because USMLE Step 1 is only a month away, there isn’t time to re-watch lecture videos
and take meticulous notes in reviewing basic concepts. The best use of your limited time
at this stage will be to instead focus on learning high-yield medical concepts and to
practice taking USMLE-style tests. The most effective tool for doing both is a Qbank.
We recommend that for the entirety of the month ahead you exclusively and continuously
work with Qbank questions. This will require you adopt a focused study strategy. As part
of that strategy, you will need to memorize the medical concepts for each Qbank question.
At the same time, you will need to internalize the mechanics of reading and answering
USMLE questions.

Stick to this study plan we offer and you will be greatly rewarded. When this study plan
ends in one month, you will be properly prepared to score high on USMLE Step 1.

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Over the course of the next 33 days you will:
• Complete 2,500 challenging USMLE questions using the Lecturio Qbank
• Study a total of 238 hours (which is only about 7 hours and 12 minutes per day)
• Enjoy a well deserved day off to relax and recharge!

Refer to our Medical School Survival Guide to learn more about proven
test-taking strategies, crucial facts about the USMLE exam, and helpful
advice for studying at the highest efficiency and with the greatest recall.
The Medical School Survival Guide is your companion: Rely on it to help
you survive from the first day of medical school until you match into your
top residency program of choice. You need to transition to this study
guide once you start your dedicated USMLE Step 1 preparation – and once
you transition make sure to follow this study plan extremely carefully.

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How We Created This Schedule
Everyone has his or her own way of studying, learning, and taking tests. But even though
medical students excel at learning and managing time, preparing for USMLE Step 1
represents a real challenge of academic ability.
It requires a very different study strategy from those which you might use in readying to
take a med school traditional exam. It also requires that you study under much more inten-
se pressure: the clock is ticking rapidly, meaning you have very little time in which to cover
a vast amount of information.
The key to successfully studying for USMLE Step 1 is to carefully choose the right resources,
know how to effectively study with them, and be able to implement the ideal strategies for
taking this unique exam. Med school upperclassmen have long been the primary source of
information about taking USMLE Step 1. First-year med students have long turned to them
for advice on how to do well on this exam.

The idea behind Lecturio as a USMLE Step 1 resource is to give you much more information
and advice than you could ever possibly receive from upperclassmen alone. Lecturio takes
things to a much higher level by also offering you evidence-based recommendations.
We developed our approach by working directly with medical students, residents, and
attending physicians across the nation. We picked the minds of those whose own USMLE
Step 1 scores were sky high. We asked them to explain how they studied for the exam
in the very short time they had available. We analyzed their responses and used those
insights as the basis for creating what we believe is the most effective USMLE Step 1
study strategy of any you will ever come across.

You will find the evidence-based advice of those past test-takers summarized for you on
these next pages. And as you will see, our study schedule design reflects the fact that
USMLE Step 1 tests both your knowledge and your ability to effectively strategize the
taking a high-stakes examination.
Our study schedule also recognizes you have very little time in which to prepare for the
test. Due to the brevity of the study timeframe, we recommend you exclusively prepare
with the aid of a Qbank.

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The rationale for using a Qbank is simple: it addresses your need to acquire a well-
developed knowledge base. It does this by confronting you with clinical vignettes and
detailed solutions designed to teach you high-yield medical concepts.
A Qbank will also teach you test-taking strategy. Because Lecturio’s Qbank questions are
styled after those you can expect to encounter on the actual USMLE Step 1 exam, you will
learn how to quickly, efficiently, and effectively work your way through the question stems
and offered answer choices.
There really is no better resource for intensive USMLE Step 1 study than a solidly
constructed Qbank.

About Lecturio:
Walk into any Lecturio meeting and the focus is on
producing the highest quality educational resources
that lead to student success. Lecturio has worked with
medical education leaders across the nation to produce
an evidence-based comprehensive medical school and
USMLE preparation platform.

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How to Use this Schedule

For the next 33 days, you will – by adopting this schedule – use a Qbank to learn high-yield
medical concepts and test-taking strategies. Each Qbank question you complete during
this period will expand your knowledge-base and familiarize you with the best way to work
through other questions like it.

You should strive to complete two blocks of Qbank questions each day. This is the
recommended number that will allow you to fully finish each block and have sufficient time
to go back over the answers to learn why your correct choices were right and why your
incorrect choices were wrong. For this purpose, Lecturio provides an amazing and expertly
designed USMLE-style question bank. The questions are created based on standards set by
the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME), thus the Lecturio Qbank questions are as
similar as possible to the real USMLE exam questions.

You want to be able to recognize patterns in the writing of questions stems and even
answer choices. This is vital, you want to be practicing with questions that are as close as
possible to exam questions on the real test day. In this manner, you are not only studying
the material on the test, but you are also learning the test-taking strategy needed for the
USMLE exam.

Just as important as the content of the question is the physical and mental environment
in which the question is delivered. Thanks to the superior design of the Lecturio Qbank,
it is designed to be as close as possible to the software and logistical design as on the real
exam day. This means that when you look at the interface of the Lecturio Qbank, it looks
extremely similar to the software interface that you will be using on exam day. The benefit
here is that you have one less factor to distract you on the test day. You will be in your
mental zone because you will have prepared with the Lecturio Qbank.

In order to get the most out of the Qbank, it’s extremely advisable to always complete
sessions of 40 questions each. There is no value in sitting down to do any more or less
than 40 questions at a time. The rationale here is that 40 is the number of questions each
real USMLE question block contains.

Again, strictly adhering to your study routine is everything. Work extremely hard to try to
maintain a strong and steady study flow at all times. Try your best to sit down and do 40
questions without interruption or distraction. You should try to keep your study setup as
close to the real USMLE exam at all time. If you are always doing blocks of 40 questions
when you are performing the Qbank, then your brain is ready for 40 blocks at a time.
Then when you sit down to take the real USMLE exam, it will be natural and you will feel
at ease to do 40 questions at a time.

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Do 40 questions in a session as follows:
• Choose tutor mode off and turn timed mode on (you want to get your brain trained to
always feel the pressure of the clock. You will feel the pressure on exam day, might as
well train and be ready for it).
• Pick subjects and systems.
• Select 40 questions.
• Do 40 questions and answer all within the time frame.
• After the test, choose to review and carefully read the explanations. Make sure to read
the right and wrong answer choice explanations. There is just as much value in the
wrong answers as there is in the correct answers. Supplement your understanding of
the material by consulting Lecturio reference materials such as videos and articles in
addition to the material described in the answer choice explanations.

Lecturio provides an expertly designed USMLE-style question bank. The questions are
created based on standards set by the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME), thus
the Lecturio Qbank questions are as similar as possible to the real USMLE exam questions.

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Many days in the learning schedule call for Qbank training, consisting of 2 blocks of 40
questions each. Take a look at the table below; it describes the most optimal manner in
which you can structure your day.

Two-Block Study Schedule Example

6 AM Wake up.

Do morning routine.
8 AM
Block One: Do 40 Qbank questions.
Pick subjects at random. Do the questions in “test mode“.
9 AM
Carefully read the answer explanations to the question you
answered. Consult your reference book and/or Lecturio
videos to refine your knowledge.
12
noon

Eat lunch and/or take a nap.

1 PM
Block Two: Do another 40 Qbank questions.
Repeat the morning schedule’s study steps.
5 PM

Break for exercise and/or dinner.

7 PM

Review all materials covered during the day.

9 PM

Relax.

10 PM Go to bed. Get a full eight hours of sleep.

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 After studying and reviewing the material of a certain subject or system,
repeat the test you took at the beginning when you were just trying to
gain a feel for the questions. Pay attention to your score progression,
if the increase in the score is small, consider re-evaluating your under-
standing of the material you just covered.

On the final day of the 33-day intensive study schedule, you are recommended to take the
Comprehensive Basic Science Self-Assessment (CBSSA) examination from the National
Board of Medical Examiners (NBME). This self-assessment examination is highly regarded
by medical students as a score marker for the actual exam date. Most students report that
they score very closely to the score they receive on the CBSSA. Note that you will need to
purchase the “extended version” which allows you to see the questions that you answered
incorrectly and it gives you the correct answer. This extender version costs an extra $10.

Follow the instructions below to perform the Comprehensive Basic Science Self-Assessment:

1
Set aside five hours of dedicated quiet time to take the CBSSA. Again, think about
this. You want to simulate the real test taking environment as much as you can.
Put away your cell phone, turn off notifications on your computer. Sit at an empty
desk, only have a paper and pencil on your desk and nothing else. Make your
testing environment as real as possible.

2
Then sit down and take the blocks. You can take a short 2-5 minute break
between each block. Otherwise, you can do 2 or more blocks between taking a
break. It is completely up to you. Some medical students will take a break after
each block. Others will do multiple blocks in a row prior to taking a break.
See what works for you and what allows you to maintain your focus.

After you have completed the CBSSA, take the time to make note of the questions

3 you got wrong and the correct answer. Unfortunately the CBSSA does not provide
answer explanations, it simply just shows the incorrect answer that you chose and
the correct answer. It is up to you to figure how why the correct answer is correct.
In order to do this, go back to your First Aid book and read the relevant section
that relates to the question.

You will get a three-digit score and a subject score report at the end of the CBSSA.
Pay attention to the subjects that you did not perform well on. Also pay attention to the
three-digit score as it has a high likelihood of being similar to the score that you will
receive on the real exam day. If you are happy with your score, then great. If you’re not,
then you need to identify your weak areas by looking at the subject report and go back
and review them and perform additional Qbank questions to strengthen yourself and grow
your knowledge base.

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 Click anywhere to
Study Plan Overview access the Qbank!

Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7

Week 1 Bio- Bio-

Immunology Immunology Microbiology Microbiology Pathology
chemistry chemistry

Pharma- General Cardio- Cardio-

Week 2 Pathology Pathology
cology
Biostatistics
Principles vascular vascular

Gastro- Gastro- Hematology Hematology

Week 3 Endocrine Endocrine RELAX! intestinal intestinal & Oncology & Oncology

Week 4 MCT MCT Neurology Neurology Psychiatry Renal Reproductive

Pathology Exam Exam Exam Cardio- Cardio-

Week 5 Respiratory all Systems Simulation Simulation Simulation vascular vascular

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Day Subject Resource Qbank Settings Time

Subject: Biochemistry + Medical Genetics

1 Biochemistry Systems: All 8h
2 blocks, 40 questions each

Subject: Biochemistry + Medical Genetics

2 Biochemistry Subjects: All 8h
2 blocks, 40 questions each

Subjects: Immunology
3 Immunology Systems: All 8h
2 blocks, 40 questions each

Subjects: Immunology
4 Immunology Systems: All 8h
2 blocks, 40 questions each

Subjects: Microbiology
5 Microbiology Systems: All 4h
1 block, 40 questions

Subjects: Microbiology
6 Microbiology Systems: All 8h
2 blocks, 40 questions each

Subjects: Pathology
7 Pathology Systems: General Principles 4h
1 block, 40 questions

Subjects: Pathology
8 Pathology Systems: General Principles 8h
2 blocks, 40 questions each

Subjects: Pathology
9 Pathology Systems: General Principles 8h
2 blocks, 40 questions each

Subjects: Pharmacology
Pharma- 4h
10 Systems: General Principles
cology
1 block, 40 questions

Subjects: Epidemiology, Biostatistics

& Ethics
11 Biostatistics 4h
Systems: General Principles
1 block, 40 questions

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Day Subject Resource Qbank Settings Time

Subjects: All Subjects

General
12 Systems: General Principles 8h
Principles
2 blocks, 40 questions each

Subjects: Anatomy + Embryology +

Physiology + Pharmacology
Systems: Cardiovascular
Cardio- 1 block, 40 questions
13 8h
vascular
Subjects: Pathology
Systems: Cardiovascular
1 block, 40 questions

Subjects: Pathology
Cardio-
14 Systems: Cardiovascular 8h
vascular
2 blocks, 40 questions each

Subjects: Anatomy + Embryology +

Physiology + Pharmacology
Systems: Endocrine
1 block, 40 questions
15 Endocrine 8h
Subjects: Pathology
Systems: Endocrine
1 block, 40 questions

Subjects: Pathology
16 Endocrine Systems: Endocrine 8h
2 blocks, 40 questions each

You take this day off and relax. This is not

17 RELAX a recommendation, it’s a prescription!

Subjects: Anatomy + Embryology +

Physiology + Pharmacology
Systems: Gastrointestinal
Gastro- 1 block, 40 questions
18 8h
intestinal
Subjects: Pathology
Systems: Gastrointestinal
1 block, 40 questions

Subjects: Pathology
Gastro-
19 Systems: Gastrointestinal 8h
intestinal
2 blocks, 40 questions each

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Day Subject Resource Qbank Settings Time

Subjects: Anatomy + Embryology +

Physiology + Pharmacology
Systems: General Principles + Hematology
Hematology & Oncology
20 1 block, 40 questions 8h
& Oncology
Subjects: Pathology
Systems: Hematology & Oncology
1 block, 40 questions

Subjects: Pathology
Hematology
21 Systems: Hematology & Oncology 8h
& Oncology
2 blocks, 40 questions each

Subjects: Anatomy + Embryology +

Physiology + Pharmacology
Systems: General Principles + MCT
1 block, 40 questions
22 MCT 8h
Subjects: Pathology
Systems: MCT
1 block, 40 questions

Subjects: Pathology
23 MCT Systems: MCT 8h
2 blocks, 40 questions each

Subjects: Anatomy + Embryology +

Physiology + Pharmacology
24 Neurology 8h
Systems: Neurology
2 blocks, 40 questions each

Subjects: Anatomy + Embryology +

Physiology + Pharmacology
25 Neurology 8h
Systems: Neurology
2 blocks, 40 questions each

Subjects: Behavioral Sciences/Psychiatry

26 Psychiatry Systems: General Principles 8h
2 blocks, 40 questions each

Subjects: Anatomy + Embryology +

Gastro- Physiology + Pharmacology + Pathology
27 8h
intestinal Systems: Renal
2 blocks, 40 questions each

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Day Subject Resource Qbank Settings Time

Subjects: Anatomy + Embryology +

Physiology + Pharmacology + Pathology
28 Reproductive 8h
Systems: Reproductive
2 blocks, 40 questions each

Subjects: Anatomy + Embryology +

Physiology + Pharmacology + Pathology
29 Respiratory 8h
Systems: Respiratory
2 blocks, 40 questions each

Subjects: Pathology
Pathology
30 Systems: All 8h
all Systems
2 blocks, 40 questions each

Exam Full USMLE Step1 Simulation:

31 8h
Simulation 7 blocks, 40 questions each

Exam Full USMLE Step1 Simulation:

32 8h
Simulation 7 blocks, 40 questions each

Do a Comprehensive Basic Science

33 Exam Self-Assessment (CBSSA), purchase the
6h
Simulation extended version providing feedback for
an extra $10.

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All Done? Congratulations!

Good things are coming.

Just keep going…!

Having now worked your way through the entire 33-day schedule, you’re ready to take
USMLE Step 1! You deserve a super-big pat on the back. These last 33 days, filled with
intense studying, were exhausting. But you will soon reap the rewards of your investment
of time and highly focused efforts.
When you walk into the USMLE testing center, you will do so well-prepared. Just as
importantly, you will arrive with the right mindset – a mental frame of thinking that will let
you be in control from start to finish. If you took to heart and followed all of the advice
offered in this 33-day intensive study schedule, you should be in excellent shape to take
USMLE Step 1 and earn a great score.

Some final advice: Prior to test day, make a point of again consulting the Medical School
Survival Guide. Be sure you follow all the recommendations on its pages. Also, familiarize
yourself with the logistics of getting to the test center. Know the formal requirements of
sitting for USMLE on test day. Remember to bring a USMLE-acceptable form of personal
identification along with the test permit you received. Only if you present these two
documents at the test center’s door will you then be allowed inside to take the exam.

There are a few other items you must bring with you to the test center. Refer to the USMLE
website for full details. While you’re visiting the USMLE website, be sure to also read the
rules concerning clothes you are permitted to wear and items or materials you are allowed
to bring into the test center.
It’s OK to feel nervous, but please know that in the course of these last 33 days you have
exhaustively practiced with Qbank questions, reviewed and bolstered your knowledge
base, and have learned highly effective test-taking strategies. Together, these have been
building within you much confidence, the self-assurance necessary to help you overcome
even the worst case of jitters.

Above all, keep in mind that you have now created within yourself the ability to earn a very
high score on USMLE Step 1.

You have what it takes to bring home the USMLE Step 1 score of your dreams because
you spent the last 33 days getting primed to excel!

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