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What You Need for Your Step 1 Exam

If you are on course for the first step of the USMLE, in order to avoid worrying about exam-related details and devote more time to studying, it is essential to familiarize yourself with what you need to know on the day of the exam.

Here are a few things you need for your USMLE Step 1 Exam.

Create and practice your daily routines

A key to performing well on exams is mastering your morning routine. Two or three days before the USMLE Step 1 test, wake up at the time you will on test day and stick to this schedule through the big day. This will guarantee that you are awake and attentive during the exam.

Moreover, choose a breakfast that fits your stomach, such as a bowl of fruit and yogurt or eggs and toast. Mapping out your morning routine can help calm your anxieties because you’ve been accustomed to these foods for a few days.

Watch your diet

The day leading to your USMLE Step 1 Exam is not the time to experiment or try new diets.

It is crucial to avoid trying new meals and consuming too much caffeine.

While studying for the USMLE, medical students frequently consider what nutritious foods are best to eat. A well-balanced meal with whole grains, protein, fruits, and vegetables is the quick response to this query.

Prospective candidates should avoid excessive carbs and salty foods as they can impede digestion. To avoid jitters or caffeine withdrawal, have as much coffee as usual in the days before the exam and on test day.

Figure out your transport route

Plan your transit plan for a stress-free USMLE Step 1 exam day. Leave your house or apartment at the same time you’ll leave for your exam so you may see how traffic and public transportation operate.

Determine whether using a garage or parking lot will cost you money by evaluating the parking situation. Location-based adjustments are made to public transit schedules and verify whether buses or trains will deliver you in time to the exam location.

You should arrive at the testing facility atleast thirty minutes before your exam. If you intend to drive alone, it’s a good idea to look into other routes to the testing center. You can adjust to unanticipated mishaps, construction, and other circumstances with this support.

Packing Up

Prior to the exam morning, make sure you have all of these things ready. A copy of your scheduling permit, either on paper or digitally, together with a government-issued photo ID (be sure it hasn’t expired straight away!) This could be a National ID card, a driver’s license, or a passport.  

Plugs for the ears. It is only permitted for you to bring earplugs into the exam as personal belongings. They must be soft foam earplugs that are cordless and have no strings connected. You will be given a locker to use for storing anything else you bring to the exam center, and remember that whatever you bring to the testing facility may be inspected, so be ready for a security examination.

Pack a nutritious lunch and some snacks for your breaks! If you enjoy your coffee, it’s a good idea to bring plenty of water bottles and coffee.

Review your study materials

It may be tempting to continue studying until the day of the USMLE Step 1 exam. It’s better to avoid looking heavily the day before and the morning of the exam because you’ve been studying for this time for months, so spend the day before the test unwinding and before going to the testing center, you should ideally have reviewed for no more than an hour or two in the previous 24 hours.

There are also study guides that can help you succeed in all the phases of your USMLE Step 1 Exam; sites like the CanadaQBank can allow you access to information and materials that can help you.

Understanding the schedule for the exam day

This exam lasts for eight hours and is broken up into seven one-hour chunks after a brief instruction. Depending on how long it takes you to answer each question, there will be a variable number of questions, no more than 40 during each block. There won’t be more than 280 questions on the entire test.

A minimum of 45 minutes is allocated for breaks during the exam, and there is also a 15-minute tutorial available at the start. Once more, we advise completing the Step 1 interactive testing process in advance or taking the entire mock exam at the testing center.

If you complete a tutorial early or complete a block of questions before the given time runs out, you get more time for your breaks. Having said that, take your time answering any of the questions or following the instructions. Give it some time! Remember that your fingerprint will be taken when you leave the exam and return.

Knowing your timers

On your exam, there are two separate timers to be mindful of. You can open the timer panel by clicking on the block time remaining in the bottom toolbar to access the timers during your exam.

The first is the block time information timer, which indicates which of the seven blocks you are now on, how much time is left on the block, how much time has passed, and how long the block is.

Additionally, there is a daytime information timer that displays the amount of time left on the exam (not just the block you are on), the time of day that has passed, and the total amount of time (eight hours). You may also see how much more break time you have left.

Conclusion

These planning tips will assist you in planning ahead and staying organized so that you can ace your examinations. You can also include a personal program to assist you to get in better physical and mental conditions before the test. As you prepare for your USMLE Step 1 tests, you should seriously consider CanadaQBank as a helpful study aid.

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Tips for Studying for the PEBC Exam

Are you a pharmacist or a pharmacy student hoping to practice in Canada? This is a very attainable dream; however, there is a screening process you must go through before you can be allowed to practice pharmacy in Canada. Every country has its regulatory body for the certification of the pharmacy profession within that country. For Canada, it is the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada, also known as PEBC.

The PEBC is responsible for screening millions of applicants who hope to practice pharmacy in Canada every year and ensuring that only the best pharmacists have the privilege of being a part of the Canadian healthcare system. The PEBC exam is one way by which competent pharmacists are chosen to work in Canada. In this article, we’ll discuss tips for studying for the PEBC exam to help you become one of the few chosen ones every year.

What Qualities Does PEBC Test For in Applicants?

First and foremost, the PEBC is designed to test the pharmaceutical knowledge of every applicant. This way, only competent and intelligent pharmacists are welcome in the pharmaceutical body of the country. Depending on which country you obtained your degree from, pharmacists are trained differently. For example, an Indian pharmacist is not necessarily trained the same way a pharmacist from Kuwait or Ghana is.

Therefore, the PEBC provides a standard by which pharmacists from anywhere in the world are screened.

Taking this exam unifies their experiences, and paints a very clear picture of how differently things are done by Canadian pharmacists. The PEBC assesses their qualifications and evaluates their training and credentials through a strict screening process. This screening involves evaluating documents and other necessary certifications, evaluating examinations, and then qualifying examinations.

Only applicants who successfully make it through all three stages are considered competent and adequately trained. Therefore, these are the ones who can obtain the necessary license to practice pharmacy in Canada.

How to Effectively Study for the PEBC Exam.

If you’re looking through this article, that means you have registered for the exam, you plan to, or at the very least, you are familiar with the eligibility requirements for taking the PEBC. If not, check here for more clarity on that topic.

If you’re all set, here are a few tips on how to study for PEBC.

Create your own study notes.

Reading from the Internet or a textbook is fantastic but less effective than having your own notes. There is something about writing things down in your own words that helps to solidify your understanding and makes retention so much easier. So, it is recommended that you have your own study notes.

Write down as much as you can, especially when it comes to charts, diagrams, pathways, and images of that sort. This will help you interpret and process information faster, which is what you want if you’re studying for any exams, specifically the PEBC exam.

Understand the exam format.

This is an essential hack to master. Before you take any exam, make sure to understand the exam format. Study the PEBC syllabus, the different sections of the exam, and the types of questions asked in each section. An excellent way to get familiar with the exam format is to study past questions. The importance of past questions cannot be overemphasized.

As you study each topic, quiz your knowledge by looking through past papers. Also, know what section of the exam that knowledge will be tested. For example, drug names and SI units are typically tested under MCQs.

Practice time management.

Speed is one of the best tools you can have in your arsenal when preparing for an exam. However, speed requires time to master, which is why you should start studying early. In the earlier moments of your study journey, prioritize accuracy over speed. Naturally, the more you practice, the faster you become.

If you don’t start studying early, you are more likely to prioritize speed over accuracy, which will be entirely to your disadvantage. With proper time management, you’ll discover that speed and accuracy are not mutually exclusive, but it begins with starting early.

Do not compare yourself with others.

This advice is one that never gets old. Comparing yourself with others can be the one thing that makes your studying ineffective. We all have different strengths, and there is no need to measure your progress by another person’s yardstick.

Play within your strengths, seek help when you feel like you’re falling short, but don’t beat yourself up for not being like someone else. Be yourself!

Be intentional about your studying.

An important part of being intentional is knowing what parts of an exam to prioritize and what ones are not very important. While it is good to have an idea of everything, it is okay to know some things deeper and better than others; just be wise enough to know what parts to major in.

Get familiar with practical scenarios, and remember that the common things will most likely be tested. PEBC is designed for fresh pharmacy graduates, so specialized or overly difficult topics will likely not be asked during the exam. Instead, focus on the common knowledge topics, the basics, and the ones you’re expected to know. Don’t prioritize learning drugs for rare diseases at the expense of more common ones like diabetes, cancer, or hypertension.

Have hands-on professional experience.

This is not compulsory, but it helps to work in a pharmacy before taking the PEBC exam. It’ll help you solidify what you read; the practice will produce perfection; you’ll interact with senior pharmacists and ask questions; you’ll get a better idea of common questions and medications to expect during the exam; and you’ll have had interactions with real-life patients. Getting hands-on experience makes certain parts of the exam easier for you, for example, the PEBC Qualifying Exam Part II OSCE, where patient interaction is tested.

Conclusion.

The PEBC exams will test everything you know, but remember that you’ve made it this far because you’ve passed every test hurled at you since the beginning of pharmacy school. This doesn’t have to be any different. Just play your cards right, read hard, and make the best use of the study tips we’ve talked about so far. Don’t forget that you can find all the resources you need on CanadaQBank.

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Time-Tested Methods Medical Students Should Try for Memorization

Medical Students Memory

As a medical student, your studies are an eclectic mix of broad topics that require plenty of critical thinking and research as well as narrower topics that require intensive memorization. If you struggle to memorize things, you certainly aren’t alone. Below, you can discover some of the best and most trusted methods out there for memorizing information that is otherwise difficult to retain.

Practice the Content Over and Over

Memorization is like any other form of learning in that it’s all about training your brain to hold onto information and recall information when you need it. With that being said, most students find that simply repeating the information in their studies over and over again is the best way for them to commit it to memory. One of the most effective methods for this involves utilizing a customizable question bank platform that allows you to create a study session with only the information you need to memorize. Over time, the more you go through the questions, the more information you’ll be able to retain and recall.

Start Small and Work Your Way Up

There’s a pretty good chance that you won’t be able to memorize the name of every single part of the human anatomy in a week, but you certainly can break that anatomy down into chunks and memorize it one small piece at a time. For example, imagine for a moment that you need to memorize the names and locations of 40 bones in a period of two weeks. On the first day, you can start out with a total of five bones and memorize those. The next day, add in four or five more, but continue to study the previous ones, too. Over time, you’ll find that adding in new information slowly is a great method, especially when you continue to review the old information day after day at the same time.

Write Things Down or Say Them Out Loud – or Both

Most students fall into one of two categories when it comes to memorizing things. The first category consists of students who do best when they can visually see the information on a page, and the second consists of students who can audibly hear the information being spoken. As such, depending on the method that works best for you, make sure that you’re taking extensive notes or audibly repeating the information you need to study over and over again. If you aren’t sure which method works best for you, try both – repeat the information out loud as you write it. Assigning an action or sound to each piece of information is a great way to commit it to memory.

Memorization can be tricky, and that’s especially true in medical school where so much of your career will rely on your ability to memorize everything from the names of medications to the location of even the tiniest bones in the human body. However, with some time and effort – and by following some of the tips above – you’ll find that memorization starts to come more naturally over time.

 

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Feeling Unmotivated to Study? Try These 5 Things

Top 10 Medical Schools in the US

For most students around the world, winter can be a real struggle when it comes to motivating yourself to study. Between the cold temperatures and the short hours of real daylight, the season can really take a toll on your motivation. If this sounds familiar, there are some things you can do that can provide that extra boost of productivity when you need it the most. 

#1 – Get Daylight Bulbs

You probably already know as a medical student that there’s absolutely nothing that can take the place of real sunlight, but daylight bulbs are as close as it gets. If you’re finding it difficult to get out of bed in the morning because it’s still dark, or if you’re struggling to stay awake past 6 in the evening because it’s already dark, installing a few daylight bulbs can really help. If you opt for smart bulbs, you can connect them to an app on your phone or tablet and then program them to come on and turn off at the times you choose. Essentially, you get to simulate the sunrise and sunset on your terms. 

#2 – The Pomodoro Method

The Pomodoro study method was developed to help students stay motivated and focused while they work. It’s basically a process that involves studying for 25 minutes, then taking a five-minute break, then studying for another 25 minutes and so on. All you need for this one is a timer and a small reward that you can look forward to during each five-minute break.

#3 – The Forest App

The Forest app is based on the principle of the Pomodoro method, but it builds upon it to turn focusing into a game. The framework of the app is an adjustable Pomodoro timer that allows you to choose the length of your study sessions and break sessions according to your personal needs. Before you get started, you’ll need to choose one of the dozens of cute “trees” you can grow during your study session and add to your Forest. The best part? If you turn it on, there’s a feature that will wither your tree if you access anything other than the Forest app on your phone! 

#4 – Music

Of all the different ways to motivate yourself to study, turning on some music is by far the simplest – especially with all the free streaming services out there. It’s important to choose music intended to help you focus rather than distract you, and that’s where Spotify comes in. Simply search for “study music” and you’ll find hundreds of different playlists curated by other students. Aside from this, you can build your own playlists with any songs and genres that help you focus. Some of the best options include lo-fi, classical, and soft instrumental. 

#5 – Reward Yourself

Most students feel more compelled to do things they really don’t want to do when they know there’s a pot of gold at the end of the proverbial rainbow. Start on Sunday evening with a piece of paper and make a list of everything you want to accomplish study-wise in the upcoming week. Then, break that down into smaller chunks spread over seven days. Write each day’s goals in your planner, then decide how you will reward yourself if you fulfill your goals for the week. Make sure it’s something you really love and make sure that the goals you set for yourself are challenging, but not out of reach. 

Millions of students worldwide dread studying at some point or another, whether it’s out of boredom, burnout, frustration, or something else entirely. However, with the right music, the right lighting, and the right technology, it’s entirely possible to find your motivation – especially if there’s a reward waiting for you once a week when you’ve met your goals.

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The Best Advice for Acing the USMLE

MCCQE Examination

If you’re like many students who will be taking the USMLE later this year, there’s a very good chance you’ve spent several hours reading blog posts, scouring forums, and looking for the best possible advice available for acing it. Though there’s no one magic recipe that works for everyone, there are a few things you can do that will drastically improve your chances of not only passing but doing so with flying colors.

Study Religiously

Everyone who’s ever scored a 99 on the USMLE will tell you the same thing: the key to acing the exam is studying. Though there are a few exceptions out there, most people can’t simply sit down at a computer and fly through the questions with a perfect score without putting in an incredible number of study hours. No matter how busy your schedule between school and work, you must set aside some time every single day for studying – no exceptions. This is the only way to ensure the information is ingrained in your mind in such a way that when test day comes, you have no trouble at all recalling answers.

Use the Right Study Materials

It is also important to remember that no two people learn the same way, so you’ll need to make certain that you’ve tried various study methods. Whether you respond better to lecture-style learning, quiet reading, using flash cards, or like many other students, online question banks, try to discover which of these methods gets you the best results and then stick with that. Of course, you should use the other methods to your advantage as well, but if question banks seem to help you memorize information better than textbooks, try to schedule most of your study time around the question banks.

Learn More about the Exam Itself

Though a lot of students spend a great deal of time learning the material that will be on the exam, they fail to spend much time learning about the exam itself. Via the USMLE website, you can find out everything you need to know, including how the exam works, how to apply, the fees you can expect to pay, and even get access to your scores and transcripts after you’ve taken the exam. It’s always a great idea to check the USMLE website often for information, and reading the FAQs can help you familiarize yourself with many different aspects of the site and the test itself.

Keep Calm and Prepare Yourself

It may seem tough to stop thinking negatively at times, especially when you come across specific topics or material that seem intimidating or difficult. In these cases, rather than worrying about your ability to learn the material, continue to go over it in different ways using different methods. If it still seems too difficult, reach out to professors at your school or ask about mentors and tutors who may be able to provide you with the insight you need. Allowing anxiety to take over will only make it more difficult for you to learn.

Though acing the USMLE is a great feeling, it’s important to remember that you don’t need a perfect score – you only need a passing score. You should always do your very best but be careful about allowing your desire to achieve perfection hinder your ability to properly study. Above all else, know you can do it, and be sure that you put in the time to study the right materials.