Advice for starting Step2 prep a year in advance...UW now, later, or both?

[jmelan]

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Hi, I have been reading for a couple of years on here, but this is only my second post to the site.

I am really interested on the opinions of people on this site, as it appears that there is a disproportionate number of very high scores on USMLE tests.

I just got my scores back for Step1 (255/99), and i was trying to make a plan to prepare for Step 2. I would like to think that the info i read on here helped me to do well on Step1 (Goljan audio, UW, etc.)

Would you recommend using UW to prepare for the 3rd year shelf exams, or would that diminish its value for use in preparing for Step2? I really preferred UW for Step1 over Kaplan.

Also, are there any recommended books that may be good to review as i cover the material in medicine, surgery, etc... (eg Crush was suggested by a 4th year at my school). I hated FA for Step1, so i was trying to stay away from that.

I am currently using the MKSAP book for medicine. It seems pretty thorough, but of course i have nothing to compare it to.

Thanks

 

[QuinnB]

MKSAP is great for medicine - keep using that (do it twice if you can, the second time around trying to "predict" the explanations). I would recommend a review book for medicine, but that is another thread over on the clinical side.

For step II stuff - um...don't waste your time focusing on step II stuff, you did awesome on step I. I'm not even sure why you think that you'll be taking it at a time when it will count, but if for some reason you have to take it, then just focus on studying for your shelf exams. The shelf exam questions and the step II questions are taken from the exact same pool (although it seems as though the shelves may be a little harder, but school administrators keep refuting this). If you do well on your 2nd year shelf exams, then you will do very well on step II - this has been the most consistent recurring formula for success.

Regarding material - there are threads for each shelf discussed in the clinical forum and there is too much discussion to include in this one response. I don't really know anyone who used UW or kaplan step II questions for shelf exams, although people sometimes mentioned using the pertinent sections in the kaplan Qbook during rotations and occasionally getting that Kaplan IM bank of question, but it seems (per your step I score) that you'll be fine if you study hard.

For a general text, I recommend using Boards and Wards during third year - it was a good source. You can use it for each shelf exam, step II and eventually step III. Secrets (same as crush) is pretty good as well, although a lot of the stuff they talk about you will have picked up on the wards as part of your general education (this resource is a great "reminder" text of things you may have forgotten later on). You can try working with FA if that's what you prefer.

 

[lord_jeebus]

Are you required to take Step 2 early in your 4th year? If not, the risks may outweigh the benefits, considering your strong Step 1 score.

Otherwise, just focus on shelf exams as they come, and Step 2 will be very easy to review for. I would save UW for Step 2 review, although I suppose it could be helpful for shelf prep (but there is no shortage of review questions for each shelf exam available in print).

Also, I did not like First Aid for Step 1 but thought their Step 2 book was different and really good.

 

[sadute]

HI iam preparing for step2 ck and i need your advise which book i have to reed to pass in good score. thank you rapid response is needed if possible .😕

 

[jmelan]

thanks for the advice 🙂

i guess i really don't have to take step 2 until later in 4th year, so it probably will not make much of a difference.

i just need to make sure i do well enough on the shelf exams to maintain my grades. i may try using UW for the medicine shelf if i finish with the MKSAP book early, just to see if it is helpful.