My Step 2ck materials

[there is]

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My plan is to use step up to step2 and step up to medicine. Then do as many USMLE world questions as possible.

I'm on surgery now, so that will be pretty fresh in my mind when I sit for the test.
I did Internal Medicine first 3rd year, so I need to refresh myself on the material. I'll be using step up to medicine (already highlighted and noted) to refresh myself on material I haven't studied in almost 12 months. I know this is a dense book, but it was my weakest shelf and longest ago. I was unprepared for timing of that shelf and man was it a beast for my first test of the year.



By my schedule I will be able to do all of Uworld and make it through the medicine questions a second time before the test.


I have an average step 1 score and really would like to differentiate myself with a good step 2. I've got all A's this last year except for medicine...of course that would be the biggest section of the test.

Is this good enough for an above average score? Or should I alter course(change books?)?


EDIT - doh, tried to call this thread a different title so no one thinks I'm posting materials, but no can do on the edit.

 

[OveractiveBrain]

One-month dedicated:

-FA + Uworld = 232 for my friend up got a 212 on Step 1
-Step Up + Uworld another option
-Secrets +Uworld gets you at or below average (Secrets is usually reserved for people who don't dedicate the month)

- I did Kaplan DVDs + Uworld = 252

 

[there is]

One-month dedicated:

-FA + Uworld = 232 for my friend up got a 212 on Step 1
-Step Up + Uworld another option
-Secrets +Uworld gets you at or below average (Secrets is usually reserved for people who don't dedicate the month)

- I did Kaplan DVDs + Uworld = 252

So it seems I should relegate step up to medicine for a reference and not plan to go through it?

Just a review book and U world as much as possible?

 

[DrVanNostran]

KDburton and other have used Step up to medicine + the non medicine chapters in FA + World and they have done quite well. Seems like an excellent recipe.

I know a good amount of people who only used secrets+world and were in the 240 range. But keep in mind, a lot of this is due to studying hard for shelf exams.

 

[ACSurgeon]

One-month dedicated:

-FA + Uworld = 232 for my friend up got a 212 on Step 1
-Step Up + Uworld another option
-Secrets +Uworld gets you at or below average (Secrets is usually reserved for people who don't dedicate the month)

- I did Kaplan DVDs + Uworld = 252

Be careful with generalizations such as this. I believe that step1 and step2 are more about your overall knowledge than what you cram in 2-5 weeks. I spent 3 weeks preparing for CK, went through first aid twice, USMLE world once, and scored in the 260's. I thought this test was easier than any of the shelfs, by far. I'd focus a lot on the questions, and use 1-2 books for review, and try to learn from the questions as much as you can... Look up big concepts that you get wrong on the questions or you realize you don't know as well as you should.

Regarding taking CK early, be careful, as taking it before the end of August will mean residency programs will get your score whether you like it or not. Waiting until after you submit your ERAS application gives you the control of releasing your scores or not. If you plan it right, you could have your scores in September or October, where it's still early enough to score additional interviews.

 

[DrVanNostran]

Be careful with generalizations such as this. I believe that step1 and step2 are more about your overall knowledge than what you cram in 2-5 weeks. I spent 3 weeks preparing for CK, went through first aid twice, USMLE world once, and scored in the 260's. I thought this test was easier than any of the shelfs, by far. I'd focus a lot on the questions, and use 1-2 books for review, and try to learn from the questions as much as you can... Look up big concepts that you get wrong on the questions or you realize you don't know as well as you should.

Regarding taking CK early, be careful, as taking it before the end of August will mean residency programs will get your score whether you like it or not. Waiting until after you submit your ERAS application gives you the control of releasing your scores or not. If you plan it right, you could have your scores in September or October, where it's still early enough to score additional interviews.

First off grats on Gen Surg!

Did you step 2 automatically release to programs are did you keep the option to with hold your scores just in case you didn't do well?

 

[coxsackie]

Hey guys, I'm doing secrets and kaplan videos right now. I plan on doing u world when i actually book a date for this test. I'm hearing so much about step up to step 2...should I still buy this book?😕

 

[PistolPete]

What do people on here think about DIT Step II? I've been going over some of the videos but in my opinion they suck and are boring... should I continue with them or not?

 

[persistentDoc]

Hey PistolPete,

I was going to stop going through DIT also, but i decided to continue it since i already started.. Plus my test is a little over 2 weeks away so i thought its a good way to have a full review. I'm going to take a practice assessment once i finish, and hopefully it helps.. I'm doing it along side with 2 blocks of UW daily, and i find it to be very efficient. But i guess my score will say more.. I'm only on day 7 now, but let me know how it goes for you.

 

[PistolPete]

Will do... I think I'll try and just finish the videos... good to watch something when I don't feel like reading or doing questions I guess.

 

[ACSurgeon]

First off grats on Gen Surg!

Did you step 2 automatically release to programs are did you keep the option to with hold your scores just in case you didn't do well?

I held the score and released it after getting it. I had a fairly solid step 1 score, and got all the interviews I needed by the time my step2 score came out (mid-November). It was icing on the cake, but I didn't do the automatic release in case I screwed up.