Final Exams-Step I Timeline

[bjackrian]

We had a talk from our dean today who told us that there is no way any of us should take Step I in May because we'd need much longer to study. We finish our final exams for spring semester in the last week of April/first week of May. My plan was to give myself four weeks of studying post-exams, take the test, and have nearly a month off before starting third-year. I figured four weeks plus studing for the path shelf (which is our final for the course) would be enough. Is that an unrealistic timeline?

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[marr]

Hey, I'm a second year too, and I do plan on taking the step I about four weeks after my class is done with. from reading this board and talking to uppers I think four weeks is good if you have study throughout first and seconf years and don't really need an "intense review".

 

[t33sg1rl]

Geez... at our school, four weeks is the maximum time allowed, so I sure hope it's enough!

 

[CanIMakeIt]

Our 2nd year goes until May 16-17 and 3rd Year starts on 3rd July but our seniors told us that 5 weeks is more than enough for USMLE otherwise u start forgetting stuff that u read in 1st week. I don't know if that is enough time to review/study everything....so much rides on this one score

 

[bjackrian]

Thanks everyone...that's kind of what I was thinking. My school has a slightly higher than average fail rate, so my guess was that they're mostly playing a CYA game.

 

[njbmd]

We had a talk from our dean today who told us that there is no way any of us should take Step I in May because we'd need much longer to study. We finish our final exams for spring semester in the last week of April/first week of May. My plan was to give myself four weeks of studying post-exams, take the test, and have nearly a month off before starting third-year. I figured four weeks plus studing for the path shelf (which is our final for the course) would be enough. Is that an unrealistic timeline?

My second-year classes ended April 28 and I took USMLE Step I on May 14th. Since I had a fellowship that summer, I was required to take Step I earlier than the rest of my class (most took the exam second or third week of June). I found that setting a solid study schedule and sticking with my one resource (Q-Bank), I was more than prepared by that date. I did very well too.

I do not believe that your plan is unrealistic at all especially since you will have taken the Path shelf and will have a great idea of the path on USMLE Step I. Stick to your resources, keep to your schedule and you will be fine. I rapidly reached a point where I couldn't look at review stuff anymore. At that point, it's definitely time to take the test. Good luck!

 

[Acherona]

Do most schools get 2 months vacation between 2nd and 3rd year? We only get 1

 

[pmpkn219]

Our exams are over may 14/15, MS3 orientation June 24-26 and 1st block starts first Monday in July (I think 7/2 this year?)

I plan on taking my Boards June 8th, hopefully it works out!