📚 How to Make a 4-Week Step 1 Study Plan (Complete Guide + Free PDF)
Preparing for the USMLE Step 1 in just four weeks can feel overwhelming — but with a structured, high-yield study plan, it’s possible to make a huge score jump. Whether you’ve been reviewing throughout med school and just need a final push, or you’re short on time, this Step 1 4-week study schedule will help you maximize efficiency.
This guide covers:
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✅ The best resources to use in 4 weeks
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✅ A day-by-day schedule for Step 1 prep
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✅ Strategies to balance QBank practice + First Aid + Anki + NBME practice exams
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✅ Free PDFs, templates, and high-yield mnemonics
👉 If you want longer prep schedules, check out:
And if you want all exams material, high-yield recalls, and real exam insights in one place, unlock our premium Step 1 package here:
🔗 Get Premium Access to All Step 1/2/3 Materials
🧭 Why a 4-Week Plan Works
Step 1 has transitioned to Pass/Fail, but scoring well still matters for Step 2 CK prep and residency competitiveness.
A 4-week intensive plan is designed for:
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Students who already completed class-based learning and want a dedicated review
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Students who have done UWorld once and need consolidation
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Students who need a short, focused sprint before exam day
💡 In 4 weeks, your goal isn’t to learn everything from scratch — it’s to:
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Reinforce high-yield concepts
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Practice applying knowledge in QBank-style questions
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Build test stamina with NBME practice exams
📘 Core Resources for the 4-Week Step 1 Plan
Don’t overload yourself with too many resources. Stick to the essentials:
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UWorld Step 1 QBank – Gold standard for practice questions
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First Aid for the USMLE Step 1 – The core content review
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Anki (Zanki, Lightyear, or Dorian decks) – For spaced repetition of high-yield facts
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Pathoma (Rapid Review) – For pathology consolidation
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NBME Practice Exams – To benchmark progress and simulate the real exam
Optional (if weak in certain areas):
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Sketchy Medical (for Micro/Pharm)
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Boards & Beyond (for tricky concepts)
📅 The 4-Week Step 1 Study Schedule
Each day is ~8–10 hours of focused study. Adjust if you need breaks or have limited time.
Week 1: Foundation & First Pass of UWorld
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Morning (4–5 hrs):
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2 timed UWorld blocks (40 questions each) → Review explanations in detail
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Afternoon (2 hrs):
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Read corresponding sections in First Aid
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Evening (2–3 hrs):
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Anki review (~1,000 cards/day if possible)
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Pathoma Chapter review
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👉 Goal: Cover ~350–400 UWorld questions in the first week
Week 2: Systems-Based Review
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Morning:
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2 timed UWorld blocks
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Afternoon:
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Focused review by organ system (CV, Renal, Neuro, etc.) in First Aid
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Evening:
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Anki review + Pathoma videos for weak topics
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👉 End of Week 2: Take NBME Self-Assessment (baseline predictor)
Week 3: Reinforcement + Weak Areas
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Morning:
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2–3 UWorld blocks
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Afternoon:
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Review incorrect questions + targeted First Aid reading
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Evening:
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Anki (weaker decks, e.g., Micro/Pharm)
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Rewatch key Sketchy/Pathoma videos
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👉 End of Week 3: Take another NBME practice test
Week 4: Exam Simulation & Final Review
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Day 1–3:
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Timed UWorld blocks → simulate exam conditions
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First Aid rapid-fire review
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Day 4–5:
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Take a full-length NBME exam (simulate test day)
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Review incorrects thoroughly
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Day 6:
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First Aid rapid review (focus on mnemonics, diagrams)
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Light Anki cards
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Day 7 (Day before exam):
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Relax, light review only
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Sleep early, hydrate, eat well
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📝 Daily Step 1 Study Template
Here’s a repeatable template you can use each day:
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8:00–12:00 → UWorld timed blocks + review
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12:00–1:00 → Lunch & short break
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1:00–3:00 → First Aid reading (related to questions missed)
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3:00–6:00 → Anki reviews + Pathoma/Boards & Beyond
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6:00–7:00 → Dinner
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7:00–9:00 → Light review (images, mnemonics, weak areas)
📑 Download Free Step 1 Study Schedule Template (PDF)
📊 NBME & UWorld Benchmarks
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NBME Scores: Best predictor of Step 1 performance
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NBME 25, 26, 27 → Use in weeks 2–4
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Score within ±5 points of real exam
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UWorld Percent Correct: Aim for 65–70%+ on first pass, higher on second pass
🧩 Pro Tips for the 4-Week Step 1 Plan
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Simulate Test Conditions – Always do UWorld in timed mode (not tutor).
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Don’t Skip Explanations – Reviewing why each answer is wrong is as important as the right one.
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Space Out NBME Exams – Don’t take them all at once. Use them to measure progress.
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Sleep & Exercise – Step 1 is a 7-hour exam; stamina matters.
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Focus on Weak Systems – If cardio/neuro is low, dedicate extra time.
📂 Free PDFs & Study Guides
We’ve put together free downloadable resources to save you time:
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📑 [Step 1 QBank Tracker Spreadsheet]
👉 Want everything (exam recalls, past papers, real insights)?
🔗 Get Premium Access to All Step 1/2/3 Materials
📌 Internal Links to Cornerstone Posts
❓ FAQs on the Step 1 4-Week Study Plan
Q1. Is 4 weeks enough to study for Step 1?
Yes, if you already have a foundation and are using it as a dedicated review. If you’re starting from scratch, consider a 3–6 month plan.
Q2. How many hours should I study per day in a 4-week Step 1 plan?
Expect 8–10 focused hours/day. Quality > Quantity.
Q3. Should I do UWorld in tutor or timed mode?
Timed mode is best for exam practice. Use tutor mode only for deep review early on.
Q4. How many NBME practice exams should I take?
At least 2–3 NBMEs spread across the 4 weeks. One in week 2, one in week 3, one in week 4.
Q5. Where can I get a Step 1 study schedule PDF?
Download free PDFs in this post, or get the premium all-in-one resource package here:
👉 Premium Step 1/2/3 Study Materials
✅ Bottom Line:
A 4-week Step 1 study plan is intense, but with UWorld, First Aid, Anki, Pathoma, and NBME practice exams, you can solidify high-yield material and walk into test day prepared. Stick to the schedule, trust the process, and focus on mastering your weak spots.