5 months for boards step 1??

[BoneNibbler]

Okay so I just got my 3rd year clerkship shedule, and I lost the lottery and got my 7th choice which starts 6 weeks later than all the rest. SO now I have 5 months after school lets out to study for the boards and was wondering how I can maximize my schedule? Should I still study 12 hours per day for all 5 months?? (I am going to use Kaplan homestudy, brs phiso, goljan path, adn goljan audio, plus Uworld and kaplan q-banks) Any advice is appreciated! Thanks BN

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[Blesbok]

What the heck kind of schedule do you have that everyone has 3.5 months to study for boards?

 

[Ana82]

I would help you, but I can't stop laughing at your screen name! Hilarious!

 

[Ana82]

BONE nibbler. Hee hee!

 

[Vonsmack]

Dude if I were you I would study after you get out of school for 1-2 months, take the stupid test, and then you have three months off. Average med student probably takes like what, 5 weeks to study? I couldn't imagine studying hardcore for 5 months, talk about burnout.

 

[Saladin MD]

Dude if I were you I would study after you get out of school for 1-2 months, take the stupid test, and then you have three months off. Average med student probably takes like what, 5 weeks to study? I couldn't imagine studying hardcore for 5 months, talk about burnout.

I think it depends on if you take the exam right after your shelf exams (when everything is fresh) or after graduating med school (after 3+ years of doing the basic sciences). The OP seems to be doing it after 3rd year, so I guess your advice is right on.

But yeah, I think 12 hours per day is wayyyy too much. I averaged 2-3 hours per day, but I stretched out the studying for 6 months. Having said that, if you can study 12 hours per day, then do so. Why not? Kill the exam. I couldn't study 12 hours, since I'd run out of gas.

 

[thethom]

Vonsmack has it right. Your basic science knowledge is HIGHEST right after basic sciences, schedule your exam 2 months after you finish. Study your bones off, take the exam, then chill for a couple months, lord knows you'll wish you did it after you start clinicals.

Do NOT take more than 3 months off (after basic sciences) to study for the step 1, you will start to forget stuff...

-T

 

[bluntdissector]

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[harrisonIM]

Take as long as you need, but you won't know how long you need until you start prepping. You could very well use the whole 5 months. You might only need 2 like some other posters say. Its only the most important test of your medical career. I'd personally use as much of the prep time as possible to maximize my score potential so I don't close any residency doors. Also, I just couldn't take a month long vacation knowing I could have prepped some more and possibly done better.

Just some perspective: Some students start prepping the start of second year or after winter break couple hours each day. If you breakdown their hours it very well might accumulate to 5 months of 12 hour days. No one tells these students they're crazy (well maybe some people do). So I don't think its beyond reason to spend 5 months of hardcore prep. In the 2009 experiences thread the taiwanese dude with the 270ish said he put in 3000 hrs total prep.

 

[Lamborghini1315]

To op, here's what i think though repetition really helps, i am in the same boat as you taking it in about 5 months. However i don't feel the urge to study 12 hrs/day and i can't afford to even if i wanted with school. I think if you slowly start putting in more time toward finally starting to review old material even if it means for 15 mins a day, your confidence will shoot up! At this point in the game i want my confidence to stay high and as i lead up to the hardcore prep i would want to feel like i will be reviewing things not learning them for the first time. My biggest challenge is to manage school and maintain a healthy board pace but you know what dude this is the most imp exam of our lives and heck if i have to sleep less, eat less that's the way its going to be. You can keep me updated with your progress..good luck!