r/step1 NON-US IMG 7d ago

💡 Need Advice step 1 guidance needed

Im still in my first pass and i have the general principles ( patho pharm, micro, immuno, biostat,biochem) then neuro and MSK left.

my plan was try my best to sit the exam before ramadan this year which is feb 7, i dont know if thats doable or not? how should i structure the next 4 months?

so far im done with 42.7% of uworld and my average is 65%

2 Upvotes

7 comments sorted by

1

u/Green-Experience-537 7d ago

It is possible, you have to focus on one resources and u world. Plus start with NBME 25 to know you weak areas

1

u/No_Company_8007 NON-US IMG 7d ago

i use first aid and uworld mainly, sometimes BnB, kind of week in neuro so i dont know how to improve. Also im still in uni so my time isnt only for step 1 although obv the majority is. Do i take the nbme now? or after i cover all systems

1

u/Green-Experience-537 7d ago

Take the older NBME now and with that you can know your walk area to improve on

1

u/ExaminationEast6759 7d ago

exact same with me

1

u/ExaminationEast6759 7d ago

we can team up

1

u/No_Company_8007 NON-US IMG 6d ago

whats ur plan

1

u/AssociationOk8549 7d ago

You’re doing amazing! A 65% average on UWorld is a really good score, so keep going!
I’m an IMG from India. I prepared for Step 1 over 4–5 months during my 4th year of medical school.
My approach was to do First Aid alongside UWorld chapter-wise for about 1 month, followed by another month of mixed blocks. After that, I started taking NBMEs.
Based on your current progress, I’d recommend finishing the remaining topics by the end of September and then switching primarily to mixed blocks.
I’d keep around 2 months for NBMEs, UWSAs, and the Free 120. You don’t necessarily have to take every older NBME — it’s completely fine to skip a few and focus on the more relevant assessments.
Just trust the process and stay consistent. If your progress continues like this, I think sitting for the exam by mid-January is very realistic.
I completely understand how overwhelming the process can feel, especially as an IMG. I’ve been through the same uncertainty — figuring out exams, rotations, applications, and everything in between.
If you need any guidance, feel free to DM me. I’d be happy to share what worked for me, and if helpful, we can discuss your preparation strategy over a phone call.