ideal step 1 study time

[8t7x]

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hi guys, what's the ideal amount of time for step 1 prep after 2nd year for the average US student?

 

[Valadi]

Studies have shown that - after adjusting for your class averages - the amount of time you spend studying doesn't really matter.

A lot of students plan on 4-5 weeks. If you feel like you're starting to burn out then move it up and take it at your peak rather than completely spent.

 

[cliquesh]

I think I studied for about 8 weeks. I peaked around 5 or 6, and then I forgot some things and then I crammed right before the test. It all worked out, though.

 

[jfgavina]

I think 8 weeks is the ideal time. no more no less

 

[Munchen]

What does "adjusting for your class averages" entail?

 

[Valadi]

What does "adjusting for your class averages" entail?

You can find the studies quickly by going to pubmed and searching for 'usmle step 1' but essentially they performed a regression analysis to adjust step 1 score to people's grades (ie, they "put it on a curve" so that people who took it earlier but had great class scores had their step 1 lowered, and people with with poor class scores had their actual scores raised). [disclaimer, this is not actually what a regression analysis does, but its purpose is to acocunt for possible confounders. in this case, prior knowledge/performance].