I want to clear usmle step 1 in december 2026 and i have three offs in a week wednesday saturday and sunday and i am mbbs intern can you give me timetable
Asking for Preferences
Here is your complete USMLE Step 1 study plan built around your schedule.
USMLE Step 1 Study Plan
Target: December 2026 | Time available: ~5.5 months (mid-July to early December)
Resources: First Aid (FA) + Pathoma + UWorld
Schedule: Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri = 2-3 hrs | Wed/Sat/Sun = 6-8 hrs (off days)
Your Weekly Study Hours (Realistic Estimate)
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 2.5 hrs |
| Tuesday | 2.5 hrs |
| Wednesday (OFF) | 7 hrs |
| Thursday | 2.5 hrs |
| Friday | 2.5 hrs |
| Saturday (OFF) | 7 hrs |
| Sunday (OFF) | 7 hrs |
| Total/week | ~33 hrs |
Phase Overview
| Phase | Duration | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | Jul 14 - Sep 14 (9 weeks) | Core content: Organ systems (FA + Pathoma) |
| Phase 2 | Sep 15 - Oct 26 (6 weeks) | UWorld + weak area consolidation |
| Phase 3 | Oct 27 - Nov 22 (4 weeks) | Rapid revision + NBMEs/Free 120 |
| Phase 4 | Nov 23 - Dec 6 (2 weeks) | Final polish + exam week prep |
Phase 1 - Core Content (Jul 14 - Sep 14)
Goal: Cover all high-yield organ systems in FA + Pathoma once. Do Pathoma video first for each chapter, then read FA for that system.
Weekday routine (2.5 hrs):
- 45 min: Pathoma video for that day's system
- 60 min: Read + annotate corresponding FA chapter
- 45 min: Anki (if you add it later) OR quick review of same day's notes
Off-day routine (7 hrs):
- 2 hrs: Continue/finish system in progress
- 2 hrs: Start next system
- 1 hr: UWorld Timed (20 Qs) - even in Phase 1, start doing UWorld alongside (mixed, timed)
- 1.5 hrs: UWorld review (read all explanations thoroughly)
- 30 min: Weak point note-making
Phase 1 - System Schedule (9 weeks)
| Week | System | FA Chapters | Pathoma |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 (Jul 14-19) | Biochemistry - Molecular Biology | Biochemistry section | Ch 1 |
| Week 2 (Jul 20-26) | Biochemistry - Metabolism + Nutrition | Biochemistry section | Ch 1-2 |
| Week 3 (Jul 27-Aug 2) | Immunology | Immunology section | Ch 3 |
| Week 4 (Aug 3-9) | Microbiology (Bacteria) | Micro section Part 1 | Ch 4 |
| Week 5 (Aug 10-16) | Microbiology (Viruses, Fungi, Parasites) | Micro section Part 2 | Ch 4-5 |
| Week 6 (Aug 17-23) | Pathology - Cardiovascular | CV section | Ch 10 |
| Week 7 (Aug 24-30) | Pathology - Respiratory + Renal | Resp + Renal FA | Ch 11-12 |
| Week 8 (Sep 1-7) | GI + Hepatobiliary | GI FA section | Ch 13-14 |
| Week 9 (Sep 8-14) | Endocrine + Repro | Endo + Repro FA | Ch 15-16 |
Hematology, Musculoskeletal, Neuroscience, and Pharmacology are covered in Phase 2 alongside UWorld.
Phase 2 - UWorld + Remaining Systems (Sep 15 - Oct 26)
Goal: Complete UWorld first pass (>60% of questions). Cover remaining systems. Review incorrects deeply.
Weekday routine (2.5 hrs):
- 30 min: UWorld 20 Qs (timed, tutor mode for new systems)
- 60 min: Full UWorld review of those questions
- 60 min: Read FA/Pathoma for the day's topic
Off-day routine (7 hrs):
- 3 hrs: UWorld block x2 (40 Qs) + full review
- 2 hrs: FA system (Heme/Neuro/MSK/Pharma)
- 1 hr: Pathoma for same system
- 1 hr: Weak area notes + consolidation
Phase 2 - System + UWorld Schedule
| Week | System/Focus | UWorld Target |
|---|---|---|
| Week 10 (Sep 15-21) | Hematology | 80-100 Qs |
| Week 11 (Sep 22-28) | Neuroscience | 80-100 Qs |
| Week 12 (Sep 29-Oct 5) | Musculoskeletal + Derm | 80-100 Qs |
| Week 13 (Oct 6-12) | Pharmacology (all systems) | 100-120 Qs |
| Week 14 (Oct 13-19) | Behavioral Science + Biostats | 80-100 Qs |
| Week 15 (Oct 20-26) | Rapid review weak systems | 100-120 Qs |
UWorld total by end of Phase 2: ~600-700 questions completed
Phase 3 - NBMEs + Rapid Revision (Oct 27 - Nov 22)
Goal: Take 4 NBMEs, complete Free 120, finish UWorld second pass on weak areas, solidify high-yield facts.
Weekday routine (2.5 hrs):
- 90 min: UWorld incorrect review / second pass
- 60 min: FA rapid read (one system per day, rotation)
Off-day routine (7 hrs):
- NBME days (1 per off-day Saturday): Full practice exam (200 Qs) + 2 hrs thorough review
- Non-NBME off-days: 3 hrs UWorld + 2 hrs FA + 2 hrs weak area notes
Phase 3 - NBME Schedule
| Date | Activity |
|---|---|
| Sat Oct 31 | NBME 30 (Baseline score check) |
| Sat Nov 7 | NBME 29 |
| Sat Nov 14 | Free 120 (Official NBME Free Practice Exam) |
| Sat Nov 21 | NBME 28 |
Score target by end of Phase 3: NBME score of 220-230+ (predicts 230-240+ on real exam)
Phase 4 - Final Prep (Nov 23 - Dec 6)
Goal: Consolidate, review weak points, rest, and peak on exam day.
| Date | Activity |
|---|---|
| Nov 23-25 | Rapid FA full read (skim + high-yield tables only) |
| Nov 26-28 | Final NBME (NBME 31 or UWSA) + review |
| Nov 29-Dec 1 | Pathoma rapid rewatch (high-yield chapters only: Neoplasia, CV, Repro) |
| Dec 2-4 | Only review notes + mnemonics + incorrects - no new material |
| Dec 5 | Rest day - light reading only, sleep 8 hrs |
| Dec 6 (or your exam date) | EXAM DAY |
Weekly Day-by-Day Template
MONDAY - Weekday Study (2.5 hrs)
New topic (FA + Pathoma)
TUESDAY - Weekday Study (2.5 hrs)
Continue topic + 20 UWorld Qs
WEDNESDAY - OFF DAY (7 hrs) [KEY study day]
Morning: Big content block (2.5 hrs)
Afternoon: UWorld 40 Qs + review (2.5 hrs)
Evening: NBME review or weak notes (2 hrs)
THURSDAY - Weekday Study (2.5 hrs)
New topic
FRIDAY - Weekday Study (2.5 hrs)
Continue topic + UWorld review
SATURDAY - OFF DAY (7 hrs) [NBME/Heavy UWorld day]
Morning: 3 hrs UWorld or NBME
Afternoon: NBME review + FA reading (3 hrs)
Evening: Weak area notes (1 hr)
SUNDAY - OFF DAY (7 hrs) [Consolidation day]
Morning: Finish week's system (2.5 hrs)
Afternoon: UWorld 40 Qs (2.5 hrs)
Evening: Week review + plan next week (2 hrs)
Key Tips for Interns
- UWorld starts NOW - Do 10-20 Qs on weekdays from week 1, even while doing content. You are building test-taking skills alongside content.
- Pathoma before FA - Pathoma gives you the framework; FA gives the details. Always do Pathoma first for a system.
- FA is your bible - Every time you learn something new from UWorld or Pathoma, annotate it directly in your FA copy.
- Do not skip NBME practice - NBMEs are the most accurate predictor of your real score. Start taking them in Phase 3.
- Sleep > extra study - As an intern your sleep is already compromised. Protect 7 hrs of sleep on working days. You retain more from 2.5 focused hours than 4 tired hours.
- Wednesday is your most important study day - Treat it like a weekend. Plan your biggest content blocks for Wednesday.
- Biostats is free marks - Spend 3-4 focused hours in Phase 2 on biostats; it returns consistent points.
Resource Priority Order
| Resource | When to Use | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Pathoma | Every system during Phase 1-2 | High |
| First Aid | Daily reading + annotation | High |
| UWorld | Daily from week 1 (even 10-20 Qs) | Very High |
| Sketchy (optional) | If micro/pharma doesn't stick | Low-Medium |
| Anki (optional) | Only if you can maintain a daily deck | Medium |
You have approximately 5.5 months and ~720 total study hours available - this is enough to comfortably pass Step 1 with a good score if you stay consistent. The off days (Wed/Sat/Sun) are your power days; protect them fiercely. Good luck!
But in this time table will i be able to complete whole u world
Great question - let me do the exact math for you.
UWorld Question Count Analysis
UWorld Step 1 has approximately 3,600 questions in total.
How Many Questions You Can Do (Per My Timetable)
Phase 1 (9 weeks) - Off days only for UWorld
- Each off day (Wed/Sat/Sun): 1 UWorld block = 20 Qs
- 3 off days × 20 Qs × 9 weeks = 540 Qs
Phase 2 (6 weeks) - Weekdays + off days
- Weekdays (Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri): 20 Qs/day × 4 days × 6 weeks = 480 Qs
- Off days (Wed/Sat/Sun): 40 Qs/day × 3 days × 6 weeks = 720 Qs
- Phase 2 total = 1,200 Qs
Phase 3 (4 weeks) - Heavy UWorld
- Weekdays: 20 Qs/day × 4 × 4 weeks = 320 Qs
- Off days (non-NBME): 40 Qs × 2 off days × 4 weeks = 320 Qs
- Phase 3 total = 640 Qs
Phase 4 (2 weeks) - Only weak area review
- ~200 Qs (selected incorrects only) = 200 Qs
Total UWorld Questions
| Phase | Questions |
|---|---|
| Phase 1 | 540 |
| Phase 2 | 1,200 |
| Phase 3 | 640 |
| Phase 4 | 200 |
| Grand Total | ~2,580 Qs |
The Honest Answer
No - you will not complete all 3,600 questions in one pass on this schedule. You will complete roughly ~2,500-2,600 questions (~70-72% of UWorld) in the first pass.
But Here Is the Reality
This is completely fine and normal. Most successful Step 1 takers do NOT finish 100% of UWorld. Here is the standard guidance:
- 70-75% completion with thorough review beats 100% completion with rushed review every time
- The value of UWorld is in reading every explanation carefully, not in doing all questions
- Doing 2,500 questions well is far more effective than rushing through 3,600
How to Fix This If You Want Full Completion
You have two options:
Option A - Increase weekday questions slightly
- Add 10 more Qs on Thursday or Friday each week
- This adds ~200 extra Qs over 5 months
- Still leaves review time intact
Option B - Start UWorld heavier from Day 1 (recommended)
- From Week 1, do 20 Qs every weekday (not just off days)
- This adds: 4 days × 20 Qs × 9 weeks = 720 extra Qs in Phase 1
- Total becomes ~3,300 Qs - essentially full completion
The trade-off with Option B is you compress content reading slightly on weekdays. Since you already have some basic science done, this is manageable.
My Recommendation
Go with Option B - start 20 Qs every single study day from Week 1. Your schedule with 2.5 hrs on weekdays becomes:
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 30 min | UWorld 20 Qs (timed) |
| 45 min | UWorld review |
| 75 min | FA + Pathoma content |
This gets you to ~3,300 questions by exam day, with Phase 4 reserved for weak-area second pass. That is a very solid position to be in for December.
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