Savannah Santiago, DPM

Sole Purpose 10
How to Study for the APMLE Part 1

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Today's article is precisely what I wished I could have stumbled upon during my panicked Google searches as a second-year student fearing my APMLE Part 1 exam. If current second-year podiatric medical students are like me, they're probably starting to search frantically on Google for effective study methods and seeking advice from upperclassmen. Although I came across YouTube videos and some Student Doctor Network posts outlining some resources and strategies, none provided a comprehensive study schedule. Hence, this article will outline my study approach and actions.

The APMLE Part 1, or American Podiatric Medical Licensing Exam Part 1, is a crucial assessment consisting of 205 questions that podiatric medical students undergo at the culmination of their second year of medical school. Designed to gauge their proficiency in fundamental competencies, this four-hour exam is a pivotal milestone in their academic journey. It follows a pass/fail format, necessitating a successful outcome for students to advance in their podiatric medical education. Featuring multiple-choice questions with options labeled as ABCD, the exam is graded on a curve, requiring candidates to achieve over 75% to pass.^1,2 Additionally, the exam incorporates new test questions, including "beta questions" that don't contribute to the final score.

My first piece of advice is to look at the Curricular Guide for Podiatric Medicine, which breaks down EVERYTHING for the test. I will link it below.¹

Resources

Numerous resources abound to aid individuals in their exam preparation endeavors. To prevent being overwhelmed, I opted to restrict myself to a maximum of 2-3 resources per subject. I marked an asterisk next to the resources I utilized. Additionally, I found the website Blueprint Prep particularly helpful; it organized the number of Sketchy, Pathoma, etc, videos I needed to watch daily for comprehensive review before the exam. Moreover, I relied on the Anki app for all my flashcards, a method I also employed during my preclinical classes.

General Schedule

Western was exceptionally generous, granting us most of May and the entirety of June as dedicated study time for the APMLE Part 1. However, I opted to start integrating daily study sessions much earlier into my routine, beginning in December ahead of my exam scheduled for July 7th. This early start may seem excessive, but as a nervous test taker inclined to over-study, it suited my approach well. If you haven't begun studying yet, there's no need to panic.

During December's winter break, I initiated my preparation by taking a 100-question practice test on Board Vitals, set to test mode. This test helped identify my weakest subjects. To track my progress, I meticulously recorded all practice exams in an Excel spreadsheet, though I acknowledge this level of detail may be considered neurotic and unnecessary. Once classes resumed in January, I committed to answering 20 Board Vitals questions daily, maintaining this routine until the dedicated study period commenced in May.

My general weekly study schedule during dedicated was as follows:

Monday: Lower extremity anatomy, general anatomy, physiology
Tuesday: Microbiology, pharmacology, and biochemistry
Wednesday: Lower extremity anatomy, general anatomy, physiology
Thursday: Pathology and some physiology
Friday: Lower extremity anatomy, general anatomy, physiology
Saturday: Full-Length Practice Exam and grade exam
Sunday: Go over the practice exam and watch any videos that I fell behind on

To outline a typical day during my dedicated study period, here's a breakdown in hourly format:

General Advice

In terms of general advice, having a structured schedule outlining precisely how much I needed to study each day to finish everything three weeks before the exam proved immensely helpful. I found the Blueprint website instrumental in creating such a schedule, though I recognize that not everyone requires such rigidity. Taking "Anki walks" daily helped maintain my sanity; exercising in the morning followed by outdoor flashcard sessions kept me physically and mentally healthy. Given my visual learning style, I heavily utilized my foot model for studying lower extremity anatomy.

It's crucial to prioritize your mental well-being during this intensive period. I highly recommend taking one night off per week for your sanity. For me, Friday nights were sacred, dedicated to relaxation—whether watching TV or spending time with friends, free from the worry of studying. Even during dedicated study time, it's essential to remember to celebrate life's moments. I had my birthday during this period and took the afternoon off to celebrate with fellow medical student friends. You do not need to be a monk dedicated to podiatry every second leading up to this exam - you are still a person living your life.

Finally, don't hesitate to seek advice from upperclassmen regarding specific strategies tailored to your school's curriculum and exam format. Their insights can be invaluable in guiding your study approach. Remember, the test can feel challenging for everyone. Despite my tendency to overstudy, I found myself in tears on the phone with my mom after the exam, expressing my fear that I might have failed. The nerves persisted as I anxiously awaited my score for three weeks AND I ENDED UP BEING FINE. If you've taken the time to read through this entire article and consider my advice, chances are you're in a good position and diligently preparing.

Wishing all of you the best of luck!

Savannah Santiago
PRESENT Sole Purpose Editor
[email protected]

 

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