Hey, I’m in a really bad position and I don’t know what to do. Hopefully this site can help me out a little. I did my USMLE step 1 exam on sept 14th, 2010. I failed the exam with a 124/38. I know that’s bad. I studied for eight months. I used Kaplan books, videos, and I even took the class. I used FirstAid09 and other books such as guyton & hall physiology, made ridiculously simple microbiology. I did UWorld question bank twice and both times got an average of 50%. I did NMBE’s (4, 5, 6, 7) and more or less averaged 50%. I understand they were not the best of average's.

Throughout the whole studying process I was at home. My parents seem to think they know more about this exam than I do; they like to believe they know better study techniques. They have this annoying trait of constantly criticizing me in a negative manner. They have never giving me a positive comment on my studying. I can break anything down to them or anyone else for that matter but when it gets down to these clinical questions I am in disarray. I need help.

I want to become a doctor and I don’t want this exam to stop me. Unfortunately I feel weak, with a lack of confidence. I have no will or enthusiasm to study anymore. I haven’t studied sense I took the exam. I believe I am depressed, unable and unwilling to do anything. Life is just a constant battle with my parents where I am always the criminal. They are constantly reminding me of my insufficiencies. They drive me nuts.

I need help. Whatever advice you can give that you think could help me out would be pure gold right now. Should I even continue to pursue medicine? Should I give it one more Hurr-Raa before I call it quits and change my studies to business management or something. I don’t want to give up but I really do feel like I am in a sense of despair. FUCK I am depressed!

Hi, I can understand how you must feel, but just remember that if being a doctor is what you really want to do, then you have to put the past behind you, and gather up some confidence to move forward to pursue your dreams. Studying at home can be difficult at times, and I completely understand about your parents, but you have to try not to let them get to you. I wish you Good Luck with everything!!!

124/38 is very low. I suggest that you change fields or get serious help with test taking. Also, you shouldn't be at home while studying for this exam. Parents are well-wishers, but don't understand the ridiculous stress that we go through for this exam.

Hi there!
I don't know if this will help you or not but I will tell you a little bit about my situation....just like you I failed twice step 1....reasons are too many and nonimportant....at one point I said this is not for me(I am an international graduate and it was quite challanging for me to study all this classes); just to have an ideea, first and second time when I failed I study home....my parents are not with me(they are in Europe) but I have an 1 year old baby....during the day I had to take care of him because my wife is the only one who's working; in the evening when she came home she took care of the baby and I was studing...because of the baby's situation I decided to study away from home....everytime when I was home something was poping up(baby was crying, neighbour was loud, etc); so i decided to go to the library....for the next 2 months i study for about 6 hours a day only from UWorld qbank(at third attempt i just could not open anymore those books)....i said to my wife that third chance is the last one no matter what....well, finally i pass the exam....it is not a good score(I got only 79/195) but still is something;
if this can help you, i'll be happy; in my opinion: go away from home...tell your parents that you are studying better at the library or something like this....second: make sure whatever you are reading you are understanding(i mean don't just turn the page because you thing is not important); third: go one more time through Kaplan books(this is what I was studying) and ONLY when you are done with those get 2-3 months of UWORLD Qbank; at this point you should do only questions; even if you knew the answer of that specific question read very carefully every single explanation because it will help you; forth: make sure you go at least 2-3 times through every single question from the qbook and read all the explanations; after this take one more NBME....in my opinion you should be able to get a decent score.
I hope it will help you! Don't give up....keep working! Take care now and I hope to hear good news from you in the future.

Hey there!
Trust me when i say this you are not alone to face this situation! I will say to you what I said to someone else and something I had to learn to pass! I had all kinds of issues when I did step 1 , hell all through school! No money, no loans took off of school for almost 2 years no funding blah blah blah...so many obstacles above other issues unsuccessful relationships, family issues, health...plus negativity around me ****ty school! I only knew one thing that this is What I wanted. I went through your situation as well the depressed state but it did nothing for me! AS well get older our capacity to bear decreases. So its really important to begin with your confidence. Forget everyone else and what they have to say! You have to believe in yourself first! Remember all this can come to an end once you decide to quit! No one can tell you that you cant do it but yourself! Dont use your failure as a reason to quit but use it as the challenge you need to face to get better! Trust me when I say this ..if you keep the faith in yourself that you are capable and that you can do it you will see how the universe helps you achieve your goals .. I will tell you what a professor of mine told me, P=MD (pass = md).. What makes us good physicians in not JUST this test but our determination, dedication to our cause. You have to over come this negativity and lack of faith. IF you not scoring well figure out what you have to do and do it! There is always a way! Important BLOCK OUT THE NEGATIVITY.. PARENTS ANYBODY FRIENDS ..Just remember you are not alone many of us have faced this and trust me its a phase. I cant answer to you why it happens to a few of us but it does and we over come it and move on or we quit and do something else. IF you have decided to continue well then now you face your shortcomings head on! For starters you must block out the negativity ..go to the gym and work out hard core cardio, if you dont have money for it then run around your neighborhood whatever ..just get some positive energy in you that should take care of the stress..Then figure out Why your scoring so low! This is just a test! It can be mastered..It just takes more work for some of us then the rest of us! But we are not in a competition..nor is this a race! This is us trying to be the best we can be for our PATIENTS! I hope this has helped! JUST BLOCK OUT NEGATIVITY..if its parents tune out! You need to protect yourself until you do this!