Passed!

Passed!! Tested on 2/24! CBSSA score before completing gastro and heme onc was 42% This scared me but this was in October and I decided to not worry much since I had scheduled for end of March and hadn't completed my units at this point. In December I took my pathology shelf exam I only read through pathoma once to prepare I recieved a 53. On and off over the holidays I studied my weakest systems from these two tests. On January 4th I took NBME 26 and received a 54. I reviewed both right and wrong answers and explanations the next day. This guided my step studying of where to focus. I was very weak in cardio and respiratory so I started by reading that section in first aid then I would read the corresponding organ system mehlman pdf that same day and complete a uworld block in that section after. I did this for each organ system and eventually for all of his step one relevant pdfs. Everyday I did 1-2 random blocks and various system based targeted blocks. I then took form 27 January 14th an recieved a 59. I reviewed the entire exam the next day. I started noticing patterns in the repetition of concepts. I continued reviewing all of mehlman. At this point I went a little crazy and started doing 6 uworld blocks a day. I wasn't strict to this but I found I was learning best from uworld and started doing random blocks, incorrect and unused blocks, targeted system blocks and random path/ physio/ pathophysio blocks. I started to notice I was still experiencing gaps in knowledge. I spent a couple days taking a break from my block method and read crush step 1 text book per organ system then did targeted blocks after each chapter. Once finished I continued to do 6 blocks a day. I took form 28 January 22nd and got a 67. I kept up my uworld blocks but then decided to learn stats as I had been putting it off and used randy neil and mehlman. I continued the blocks and took form 29 February 2nd and got a 68. I started to get a bit burnt out from here but decided to just do as much targeted review of my weaknesses while trying to complete Uworld (I ended up completing 94 %) . I took form 31 February 12th and got a 76. I took free 120 February 19th and got a 76.

Day before the exam I did not study. Day of the exam I felt low on sleep and anxious but concentrated. Leaving the exam I had no idea how to feel. I flagged 20+ questions a block. I took a break every section to get up and walk. I had random anxiety pop up from when I took the exam and until today when the results came out that I failed. I also felt like leading up to the exam I was forgetting everything but trust yourself. You have not forgotten everything. It is pretest nerves! I recommend bringing medication incase you get a headache during the exam I saw someone post this recommendation and I ended up needing it!

My advice is do what works for you and be willing to adapt as you go! Don't feel like you have to do something because other people are telling you it's the only way to pass. You know yourself best. Have faith in yourself and stay strong during the exam basically a third of it is experimental questions. You will pass if you believe in yourself and put the effort in. Good luck!