IMGs of SDN, when should I sit for step 1?

[whatdidigetinto]

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I'm a second year (just started) medical student from a foreign medical school, and I need advice on when I should sit for my step 1. I am aware that AMGs sit for the exam during the summer of their second year, however most IMGs sit for their exams in their third or even fourth year in medical school. Do IMGs hurt their chances of matching if they take their exams late? When should I take it? I am a USA citizen if that counts for anything in my situation. Your advice/experiences are much appreciated.

 

[godson]

It always helps to take the exam as soon as you become eligible for it. So many opportunities (read away electives) open up just because of that. Also, later on in final year you can focus on making your application stronger as a whole apart from the scores, so that is worth thinking about.
No, IMG's do not hurt their chances of matching if they take their exams late, but programs are very particular about the year of graduation for IMG's. The fresher you are the better it is. Some programs don't really prefer IMG's who have graduated more than 2 yrs prior to applying.
I also feel that IMG's take way toooo long to prepare nd use a lotta resources, which is an overkill. You can be just as effective with a prep of 8-12 wks at the end of 2nd yr. I know some friends from another med school here who did that and their scores were just as good (240's - 260's). I rue having missed that opportunity and now in my final yr, i just wanna get done with all the steps asap coz it's such a burden, nd taking time away from other aspects of my application.

Just my 2 cents

 

[Phloston]

It depends.

If you're doing a standard 4-year med program, I would prepare the best that you can and sit the exam at the end of second-year.

If you're doing an intercalated degree (e.g. PhD, MPH) between your MS2 and 3, consider the possibility of a longer prep, but be very careful. It's important to be aware that those who sit the exam up to a year after MS2 has ended (e.g. Pollux or myself) do so because of lack of preparation by the end of MS2. That doesn't mean we hadn't worked hard during MS2; it just means we hadn't originally planned on sitting the exam and got what we "felt" to be a late start.

So if you know early on (i.e. any time during MS1 or early-MS2) that you are going to sit the USMLE, prep as well as you can during those first two years and sit it after MS2. In contrast, if you realize during second-semester of MS2 that you want to sit the USMLE, consider extending your prep, however, if you are content with <260, I would not consider taking the exam on any delayed schedule even if you are pursuing an intercalated degree.

I think scores in the 250s are possible even if you get a very late start on prep, which is why I would never extend if you are okay falling into this range.

Also, if you're the type of person who benefits/learns from SoM material (e.g. slides, lectures) significantly, it's best that you don't extend. However if you are a purely independent learner and read 10 hours/day at home and never go to class, extending your prep is to your advantage. The only fallback is how this might impact your MS3 or intercalated degree. If you think a lot about your own custom timeline and how things fit together, make decisions accordingly for what you feel is best for you.

Another thing: never let anyone tell you how long you should prepare for this exam. Take it when you are ready. Use the NBMEs as your gauge. If you're not scoring in your target range on the NBMEs, don't sit the exam. Plain and simple. This is the advantage that we have as IMGs. Btw, the above bold statement was told to me by two Mt. Sinai radiology residents I had met randomly when I had visited the States over the past New Years Eve. They scored 255 and 257, respectively, and I had asked them for their best advice in different areas, and they were firm that you should take as long as you need, and never to let anyone budge that.

Hope that helps,

 

[thehundredthone]

After 2nd year would be ideal (edit: by after 2nd year I mean midway through 3rd year if you're in the Indian MBBS system), because like godson said, it makes you eligible for all the electives early (some places will give you electives when you're in final MBBS). Then again, you could be in a situation like mine, I only decided to give the USMLE a few months ago, and I've just started my internship.

Your medical school schedule comes into play, we get 3 weeks off in December every year, and not even that in final year, so there is no dedicated prep time. The focus of content can also be quite different in your syllabus vs. the USMLE, so you have to give yourself enough time to orient yourself to the exam's style.

 

[glykon]

I agree with Phloston.
Most IMGs take 6 months to prepare, although some take 1 to several years. I personally know a very smart girl who took 4 and a half moths off and prepared intensively (>10hrs/day) for the beast. Used FA+UW, got a 211.
When it comes to IMGs,it is my belief that the English level+ IQ+ amount of work we put in studying for this exam (hrs/day x period of time) is proportional to our score. Maybe also what school u attend, because there are some who prepare u for the beast (not mine unfortunately).
The thing with the electives is that u are eligible during ur last year of med school. Keep in mind that anything less than the average will lower ur chances of getting a good elective and good hospital for residency.