1. Yes. Do not wait until after M2 to begin studying for boards.
So study part time during second semester and then go hard during the designated window? And is 6 weeks the normal amount of time given by schools
Yeah pretty much. 6 weeks is plenty. I would say 4 is enough. After 4 weeks I burned out pretty hard.
man this part is so true lol
Well I’m thinking since step 1 is changing to p/f there will be a lot more emphasis on step 2. So if I suck at standardized
The best prep you can do for Step 2 is to know Step 1 material cold.
Ok will do. Besides mastering step 1 material, when do people start studying for step 2?
would you say comlex scores dont matter even if you want to specialize in something competitive?
The only scenario they might matter is a surgical sub or derm at a historically AOA program. I’d focus on getting pubs and other CV filler. The majority of acgme programs have no clue how to interpret comlex.
This is a pretty solid, accurate description of the first two years of medical school in today's environment.
No step 2 is a different formatted test. Your entire year in 3rd year is spent focusing on the material. Also medical school is conquering one step at a time. Itll be too stressful with coursework to study for both. You'll be vetted into it.
I think I didnt properly convey my question, my bad. I meant that as a DO student I think ill take step 2 instead of step 1, given that step 1 is changing to pass/fail. So when is a good time to start studying for step 2?
If you don’t take step 1, you’ll likely still get screened out. Not taking it implies you can’t pass it.
It will be even more imperative to take Step 1. It will be so easy to screen out anyone who doesn’t have a P.
Got it. So study to pass step 1. And then when do students typically begin studying for step 2?
Ok I see what you're saying. i'll def take it then but prob have less pressure since i just have to pass. when should i start studying for step 2?
Traditionally Step 2 is studied more longitudinally throughout 3rd year, and then like a 2-4 week intensive review period right before it.
Just to echo the solid advice above, absolutely be ready to crush step 1. My very first question on step 2 was straight up a step 1 question. Third year shelf and step 2 studying is MUCH easier coming from a strong step 1 knowledge base. I was personally able to sort of coast on that knowledge and just study a little throughout 3rd year and score pretty well.
wow super helpful. so you think even though step 1 is p/f it's important to act like it's not and get that solid step 1 foundation?
Yes that’s what we’re all saying.
Yeah. You just can feel free to ignore embryology, cell bio (src/fak MAPkinase whatever), hardy-Weinberg crap, and nitty gritty biochem. But the silver lining is this stuff took forever to master and all of it together was <10 questions that were likely thrown out because so many people already blow it off lol.
Shockingly accurate, although I didn't really used spaced repetition much. I could never sustain it, too easily distracted, but just used the others sources like crazy. In my day, it was the Brosencephalon decks in Anki that a lot of people were using, then at some point people switched to Zanki.
1. You master the step 1 material
That's not new. For most DOs, taking and doing well on both Step 1 and Step 2 CK is what has been recommended for years, more so now given the merger.
Yes. Please understand. There are no corners to cut. Being a DO is already going to hold you back in any field. If there’s a way for a PD to cut down the amount of apps to review, they will. And if there’s a reason to not interview a DO, they’ll take it. You truly have to be a cut above an MD to match the same spot. So for the umpteenth time, you can’t skip taking step 1 because that’s viewed as doing less than your competition. I’m not sure what your aversion to taking a pass/fail exam is tbh.
Be top of your class, publish, start making connections, etc.
Research just became super important
Do you mean make connections with program directors or just physicians in general that would be able to write LORs?
But why male models?
