The USMLE is divided between three parts, or steps.  Each is long and grueling and designed to test your knowledge at different stages of your medical education.  USMLE step 1 preparation should begin your first day of medical school.  This step of the USMLE encompasses everything you will learn your first two years of medical school.  This step is taken usually before you start your third year of medical school, (clinical rotations).  Most medical schools will not allow you to start your third year until you have passed USMLE step 1.  Some international and foreign medical schools will sometimes allow you to start your third year as long as you provide a plan of when you will take USMLE step 1.  In addition, some hospitals that offer spots for clinical rotations will not allow you to start unless you have passed USMLE step 1.  Taking USMLE step 1 on time is crucial to starting your residency on time.  Since residency only starts July 1^st of every year, the longer you delay taking USMLE step 1, the further your clinical rotations get pushed up - first knocking into your vacation time, then ultimately pushing back residency.

Planning your path of preparation for the USMLE step 1, (as well as USMLE step 2 and 3), is an essential part of beginning medical school.  If you divide your path into steps and a timeline, beginning your first day of medical school and ending in residency, you will be on track.  Planning your method of preparation and the materials you will need as well as reviewing what content is actually tested on each step of the USMLE will help you immensely.  Most students begin by thinking that studying for their class exams throughout medical school will be all they need for success on the USMLE.  While some medical schools may focus their class’s content and exam questions based on the USMLE, a lot do not, especially international and foreign medical schools.  It is the biggest mistake to depend on the fact that your classes alone will prepare you for the USMLE.  The more prepared you are, the less anxiety you will feel, and the better you will do on your USMLE.