The Journey to Passing the Exam: One Reddit User’s Inspiring Story

Passing a challenging exam is no small feat, and an anonymous test-taker’s recent post on Reddit is a goldmine of advice. Packed with tips on study strategies, resources, and practical exam-day hacks, their write-up resonated deeply with the online community. Here’s a closer look at the highlights, paired with insights from fellow commenters.

Building a Study Strategy That Works

The Reddit poster started with a confession: “I studied a total of 5.5 months with terrible basics.” Their advice? Mastering the fundamentals is non-negotiable. They recommended UWorld, First Aid (FA), Pathoma, and high-yield Reddit notes as their go-to resources.

Microbiology and Biochem: In the comments, one reader asked what microbiology resources they used. Another added, “Which biochem and vitamins pathway are you referring to?” The response: glycolysis and related enzymes, paired with a clear focus on vitamin pathways.

💡 Tip: When it comes to subjects like Biochem, don’t skim over pathways like glycolysis—master them.

Ethics and Exam Prep

Ethics questions were prominent on the test, with 4-5 questions per block. Many commenters asked for advice, and some admitted to struggling with the subject. The Reddit poster suggested sticking to UWorld and First Aid and consistent practice using sample questions.

Exam Simulation: “The exam felt a lot like NBME 30, 31, and Free 120,” they shared. Their advice was reassuring for those battling pre-exam nerves: “Some questions are lame—think of them as experimental and move on.”

💡 Tip: Focus your energy on the questions you know you can answer instead of overanalyzing tricky ones.

The Magic of Question Banks

When asked how much UWorld they completed, the Reddit poster revealed they finished almost everything. Another commenter wondered about the strategy: “Did you do UWorld in random mode or system-wise?” Their advice leaned toward random mode for simulating the exam, though system-wise, it can help target weaknesses.

💡 Tip: Mix up question banks to keep your study sessions fresh and productive.

Don’t Skip the Details

Their advice for test prep was loud and clear: “Do cardiac murmurs!” Commenters echoed this, highlighting how knowing murmurs saved them time on the exam. Other must-know topics included vitamins, pathways, and enzyme details.

Exam Day Hacks

On exam day, comfort is key. The Reddit poster packed sandwiches, a protein bar, water, and chips to stay fueled. They also recommended bringing personal earbuds, joking about how the ones provided were “itchy for obvious reasons.”

💡 Tip: Plan ahead for a stress-free test day. Small details, like snacks and comfortable gear, make a big difference.