Blocking Out the Noise: How to Tell Sage USMLE Advice from Reddit Randos

By Chris Klasson

Before kicking off studying for any standardized test, planning is essential. However, this preliminary step can quickly turn burdensome for any student that attempts to sift through all the information online about where to start. Suggestions can seem contradictory, and information overload is very real, making this process surprisingly difficult.

If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably tried adding “Reddit” to the end of your internet search to circumvent this problem. No matter how niche the question, it seems like you can always find another poster who had the exact same question and found a solution. Reddit is undeniably a helpful resource to get real-world advice from people who know exactly what you’re going through.

However, Reddit is not without its pitfalls. The anonymous nature means there is no way to verify if the information provided is realistic or accurate. While a post’s author may have a high score, their data is based on an sample size of 1, and they may not temper the strength of their recommendations to reflect that uncertainty (e.g., you must study twelve hours a day, you must use their exact resources, etc.). If you don’t use discretion in sifting through the sea of opinions, you’ll be overloaded with study resources and approaches. Here are tips for navigating the world of online testing advice:

If it sounds too good to be true, it is.

When sifting through proposed study plans, some stories begin to feel implausible. In a four-week dedicated period for Step 1, some posters may claim they somehow watched all of Sketchy Micro and Pharm videos, did all of the associated AnKing cards, completed all of UWorld while redoing incorrect questions twice, completed all of the NBME practice exams, and two other time-consuming resources—all while having three hours of downtime to rest at night. It is prudent to treat these posts with scrutiny. Test takers are not immune from inflating how much work they did in preparation for the big day. This embellishment, while likely unintentional, can be damaging if it creates the impression in future test-takers that you need to replicate it to achieve the same results.

Take what you like, leave what you don’t.

You will find contradicting opinions online—it’s inevitable. One poster may say Amboss is essential, while the next says UWorld is infinitely better. This pattern will persist for any topic you could imagine: how to structure your study days, how many off days a week you should use, the best resources for reviewing specific content areas, and so on. Test-takers should focus on identifying specific themes across posts in relation to certain resources (e.g., Sketchy Micro is consistently described as helpful for visual learners, UWorld is notable for having questions written similarly to the actual test, Amboss has helpful supplemental resources, etc.).

Adopt the resources that align with your strengths and don’t second-guess not using a resource someone else swears by.

Set Limits and Goals

You will undoubtedly find an endless list of third-party resources for content review and practice questions on the internet. While these may all be great, there’s only so many hours in a day. Before starting your search, establish a framework for specific questions you want answered. For example, if you are studying for Step 1, relevant questions may include:

• What question bank should I primarily use?

• What is the best way to structure my Anki review?

• What are the best two supplemental review resources to use?

• What is a good day-to-day study schedule for me to implement?

  
  

This will make your search more efficient and effective. Additionally, set limits at the outset of your search on how many third-party resources you want to use. This will force you to critically evaluate trade-offs between resources and decide early what you want to prioritize. An overly ambitious study plan can damage your morale if you fall behind or fail to meet unrealistic goals. Use pre-established limits to resist the pressure to use all the third-party resources people suggest.

“Touch Grass:” Talk with a Peer or Advisor

After you finalize your study plan, take the time to talk it over with someone you trust. Text a friend, set up time to meet with an academic advisor at your school, or ask someone who knows you for feedback on your study plan. As great as the Reddit is, approaching an important test with insight from only anonymous sources can be daunting and can separate you from reality. Help yourself stay on solid ground by having real-life

Chris Klasson is an MS3 at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine. He scored a 279 on the USMLE Step 2 CK, and is a USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 tutor with USMLE Pro.

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