Summary:
4 weeks out: NBME 15-236
3 weeks out: NBME 17-215 (really had a tough day with a 21 point drop)
2 weeks out: NBME 18-234
1 week out: Uworld SA1: 266
Half a week out: Uworld SA2: 244
Uworld %: 74%
USMLE Step 1 (6/7):
251
My best advice is to study hard during the first two years, for your courses only. Study to remember, not just to cram. Study concepts, not factoids (unless they are the things like G6PD--something that you are bound to see on step 1) I only began studying for step 1 about a month and a half out, and that is honestly the only time you need if you provide yourself with a strong base, which should come from your coursework.
I did not come from an ivy league or a highly-ranked allopathic school, and that created this false-sense of insecurity that a score 240+ would be very near impossible. Self-confidence (in my case) has always been an issue, but I can without a doubt state that believing in yourself whilst taking the exam (or any practice exam) will do wonders for you. I learned that around two weeks out...a little late, but didn't let it go. Self-confidence and staying calm is key.
I also hate to admit it, but luck plays into this test. On my test day I had a lot of questions that I instinctively knew by going through Uworld and taking notes on the explanations (never went back through them, but writing things down helps me remember and focus). A lot I did not know. Perhaps those were the sample items that will be used in the future.
I highly recommend Uworld, FA, and Pathoma. I did all of Uworld and went through my misses in Biochem and Pharm because those were my weakest areas. I only went through the organ systems, immunology, and the parasitology section of FA, and only did the organ systems in Pathoma (sans GI, which was our last organ system in school). Traditionally I woke up and watched some Pathoma with breakfast, read through a chapter of first aid, had some lunch did two and a half blocks of Uworld, ran, and then went through my misses I had earlier in the day whilst eating dinner--was finished by 7pm or so each day. I did nothing but a practice exam on Sundays.
Again, I cannot emphasize enough: focus during your first two years, don't worry about step until you have to, put your head down and focus for four or five weeks, and get in and get out.
Keep it up to those who are studying. And for those who are still waiting on scores--nothing comes from fretting over potentially missed questions. Upon leaving the exam I knew I missed 24-25 questions already. Just let it go. Enjoy summer
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