I would say I spent 4-5 months because I took about 20- 25 days off in these 5 months from studies on 2 occasions. I started studies with about 9-12 hours in the beginning and in the last 2 months tried to make it more than 12 hours though its very variable. I feel one needs to set realistic targets, to begin with and plan in the beginning of the preparation as to when is the last date by when "you HAVE TO take the exam". Then set goals according to each month and try to achieve them on a day to day basis. Even if we do not get to achieve a target on one day, try to cover a little more what you set out for. I studied Biochemistry, Pathology and Microbiology from USMLE lecture notes. Physiology from Linda Costanzo [BRS physiology] and Kaplan review, depending on how much I could study from where and retain. Anatomy from Kaplan Review thoroughly with supplemental study from my undergraduate books i.e. Inderbir singh (head and neck,essentials of anatomy book, histology and embryology; books). Dental Anatomy; the morphology from various sources by making notes from Decks/ NBDE first aid/Kaplan/Fullers/Wheelers, and TMJ & Occlusion from Okeson, Orbans and Kaplan review. Multiple reviewing of whatever you have read is the key, I believe. Try to consolidate what we have read into one source, like making notes for Dental Anatomy,Occlusion, Biochemistry, Anatomy etc. they help you in the end days, and save time. Look at lot of Diagrams for anatomy, and DA, they help you store information easily in the head. Make single flow charts for a particular group like Carbohydrates together, it helps remember things with inter-linkages, for biochemistry. All these things helped me. I was aiming for a little higher score but still I wouldn't crib. Would put hard work in what is left for now.
Hope this helps all of us yet to take the exam. Good luck.
hoping for some feedback 
