Taking the first United States Medical Licensing Examination is a major step in your journey toward making your medical career a reality. You will need to prepare carefully and thoroughly. Here are some tips that might help.

Find a Partner

An exam like this one will take hours of preparation, so you will need someone to keep you motivated and on track. If possible, team up with someone else who is taking the exam. That way you will both have the same knowledge base and can challenge each other. If that is not an option, have a friend or family member partner with you at least to encourage you, quiz you and hold you accountable for keeping to your study schedule.

Make a Study Schedule

Indeed, you will need a study schedule. Set aside a particular number of hours per day most days per week, and then stick with it. Try to plan out which topics you will cover in your sessions each week so that you don’t miss anything. You can review a list of topics on the USMLE website to make sure you have all categories covered. Also, be sure to plan for the required online tutorial and practice test.

Take a Course

You should, of course, purchase whatever study materials you may find helpful for your study style, but you should also consider taking a preparation course. The USMLE step 1 online prep course, for instance, provides thorough guidance for studying for and successfully passing the USMLE exam.

Hang in There

While preparing for this exam can seem like a long, overwhelming haul, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. If you can stick with your schedule, get the help you need and make a firm commitment to doing your best, you have a good chance of passing. Don’t give up, and don’t get depressed. Just keep pushing ahead toward your goal.

The USMLE exams may be some of the most challenging tests of your life, so work hard, and good luck.