OMFS Residents - My Step 1 Experience

[6897round2]

Hey All,
I thought I would start a thread on the USMLE Step 1 experience, especially since those of us who are in 6 year or MD-optional programs have to take the test and have very little time (I had about 2 weeks) to study. I didn't find the regular step I thread useful, since the people posting there have, in general, different goals (matching into derm and getting a super high Step 1 score) than those of us OMFS-ers (passing).

Relevant Background: Went to a dental school that is integrated with the medical school for the first two years, pretty good grades first two years.

NBDE 1: 97

We take step 1 at the end of intern year and are given two weeks to prepare (no other obligations).

My preparation:

USMLE World and First AID. A lot of people will tell you to go nuts and read RR Path, BRS this or that or whatever. If you only have two weeks, go for the money and use the stuff that everyone claims to memorize.

As an aside, I will point out that the medical student Step 1 experience and suggestions for studying parallel the NBDE 1 experience for me.

Dental student: "Memorize the decks and you'll do fine"
Medical student: "Memorize First AID and you'll do fine"

I've never believed either of these things, as there are few people who could memorize the 2300 cards in the decks or the 400+ pages of First AID. So don't get stressed if this is suggested to you.

That being said, there is a significant difference between the NBDE1 and USMLE Step 1. While most people will agree that the USMLE is harder, I don't think it's because the content is more difficult. Rather, the test tests you on concepts that are 1 or 2 degrees of association away from the question stem, whereas, for the most part, the NBDE is straight up know it or you don't. The USMLE tests how well you apply the knowledge moreso than does the NBDE. Don't get me wrong - you still have to memorize a ton of stuff.

Anyway, I spent two weeks (~12 days) studying, the first 5 days reading First AID and looking stuff up in Wikipedia if I didn't know it or had never heard of it. In general, First AID is a good resource, provided that you have a good substrate (which most OMFS people will have).

Curiously, one of the biggest advantages of doing intern year first was that a lot of the more random stuff (trauma to the chest, head, abdomen and associated anatomy, medications, interventions), antibiotics for which bugs, and cardiac pathophysiology were actually easy to review, having gone through ATLS/ACLS.

After the first five days of studying:

NBME 1: 225 (remember, need 185 or so to pass)

Started UWorld on day 7 and went through about 300-350 questions a day for 4 days in timed random mode (supposedly approximates the real thing). For concepts where I felt weak, I reread First AID.

UWorld Cumulative average (69% complete): 62%

Two days, reread First AID carefully (about 8-9 hours/day, 1 chapter/hour average).

Day before the test: NBME 6: 235

Test Experience: The test is no joke. It is not overwhelmingly difficult, but very, very long. I think that UWorld is a bit more difficult that the real thing, but then again, you're not really stressed when you're taking UWorld. The NBMEs were the best proxy for the real thing.

Score (received about 3 weeks after test): 240

Hope this helps.

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[Shingo123]

Nice post. So what is the advantage of doing a MD program? Why spend the extra years in school?

 

[aphistis]

Hey All,
I thought I would start a thread on the USMLE Step 1 experience, especially since those of us who are in 6 year or MD-optional programs have to take the test and have very little time (I had about 2 weeks) to study. I didn't find the regular step I thread useful, since the people posting there have, in general, different goals (matching into derm and getting a super high Step 1 score) than those of us OMFS-ers (passing).

Relevant Background: Went to a dental school that is integrated with the medical school for the first two years, pretty good grades first two years.

NBDE 1: 97

We take step 1 at the end of intern year and are given two weeks to prepare (no other obligations).

My preparation:

USMLE World and First AID. A lot of people will tell you to go nuts and read RR Path, BRS this or that or whatever. If you only have two weeks, go for the money and use the stuff that everyone claims to memorize.

As an aside, I will point out that the medical student Step 1 experience and suggestions for studying parallel the NBDE 1 experience for me.

Dental student: "Memorize the decks and you'll do fine"
Medical student: "Memorize First AID and you'll do fine"

I've never believed either of these things, as there are few people who could memorize the 2300 cards in the decks or the 400+ pages of First AID. So don't get stressed if this is suggested to you.

That being said, there is a significant difference between the NBDE1 and USMLE Step 1. While most people will agree that the USMLE is harder, I don't think it's because the content is more difficult. Rather, the test tests you on concepts that are 1 or 2 degrees of association away from the question stem, whereas, for the most part, the NBDE is straight up know it or you don't. The USMLE tests how well you apply the knowledge moreso than does the NBDE. Don't get me wrong - you still have to memorize a ton of stuff.

Anyway, I spent two weeks (~12 days) studying, the first 5 days reading First AID and looking stuff up in Wikipedia if I didn't know it or had never heard of it. In general, First AID is a good resource, provided that you have a good substrate (which most OMFS people will have).

Curiously, one of the biggest advantages of doing intern year first was that a lot of the more random stuff (trauma to the chest, head, abdomen and associated anatomy, medications, interventions), antibiotics for which bugs, and cardiac pathophysiology were actually easy to review, having gone through ATLS/ACLS.

After the first five days of studying:

NBME 1: 225 (remember, need 185 or so to pass)

Started UWorld on day 7 and went through about 300-350 questions a day for 4 days in timed random mode (supposedly approximates the real thing). For concepts where I felt weak, I reread First AID.

UWorld Cumulative average (69% complete): 62%

Two days, reread First AID carefully (about 8-9 hours/day, 1 chapter/hour average).

Day before the test: NBME 6: 235

Test Experience: The test is no joke. It is not overwhelmingly difficult, but very, very long. I think that UWorld is a bit more difficult that the real thing, but then again, you're not really stressed when you're taking UWorld. The NBMEs were the best proxy for the real thing.

Score (received about 3 weeks after test): 240

Hope this helps.

Damn, you got a 240 on Step I? That's a pretty solid performance. Very nice work. 👍

 

[PAJain]

I agree if you memorize First Aid and go through Qbank or World once you will easily break 210. That is if you have a good memory, and are able to apply what you learned.

Shingo...its hard to explain the value of a 6 year program unless you've gone through it. Its not for everyone. People can debate the topic on here for the next 40 years and the answer will always be the same.

 

[CanuckDDS]

I agree if you memorize First Aid and go through Qbank or World once you will easily break 210. That is if you have a good memory, and are able to apply what you learned.

Shingo...its hard to explain the value of a 6 year program unless you've gone through it. Its not for everyone. People can debate the topic on here for the next 40 years and the answer will always be the same.

Agreed.

I am in a 6 year now. It was once put to me by a friend of mine (who is a 6 year trained OMF)..."the six year/MD allows you to more confidently call other MD's on the bull$h!t they'll try to throw at a non-MD OMFS, once you call them on it they can just laugh it off and you can both move on."

That is not to say that a 4 year can't do the same (i'm sure aphistis can light up any MD if he wanted to), but the 6 year facilitates this process...

Just my thoughts. Few and far between...😉

 

[Shingo123]

So they seem they like have a few extra privileges and a bit more respect and prestige? Not to mention the knowledge gained in Med school, which is invaluable I am sure.

Anything else?

Still doesn't seem worth it to me.

2 years of Med school rather than 2 years of working as an OS, one of the highest paid jobs out there.

I think, should I decide to go for OMFS, I will go the 4 year route.

 

[aphistis]

Agreed.

I am in a 6 year now. It was once put to me by a friend of mine (who is a 6 year trained OMF)..."the six year/MD allows you to more confidently call other MD's on the bull$h!t they'll try to throw at a non-MD OMFS, once you call them on it they can just laugh it off and you can both move on."

That is not to say that a 4 year can't do the same (i'm sure aphistis can light up any MD if he wanted to), but the 6 year facilitates this process...

Just my thoughts. Few and far between...😉

I appreciate the compliment, though I think you overestimate me considerably. 😉 I'm not even an OMFS at all, only a lowly ol' general dentist. I've just learned a few other things along the way via good residency training.

 

[aphistis]

So they seem they like have a few extra privileges and a bit more respect and prestige? Not to mention the knowledge gained in Med school, which is invaluable I am sure.

Anything else?

Still doesn't seem worth it to me.

2 years of Med school rather than 2 years of working as an OS, one of the highest paid jobs out there.

I think, should I decide to go for OMFS, I will go the 4 year route.

Don't too casually ignore "the knowledge gained in med school." Spending the past year working as an anesthesia resident has taught me more about medicine than I even thought existed coming out of dental school. Medical school obviously isn't necessarily to be a skilled OMFS, but nor is it an opportunity to dismiss out of hand.

 

[Shingo123]

Don't too casually ignore "the knowledge gained in med school." Spending the past year working as an anesthesia resident has taught me more about medicine than I even thought existed coming out of dental school. Medical school obviously isn't necessarily to be a skilled OMFS, but nor is it an opportunity to dismiss out of hand.

Yes, I would not casually dismiss that factor. I just don't think I could convince my self it is worth it.

 

[CanuckDDS]

Yes, I would not casually dismiss that factor. I just don't think I could convince my self it is worth it.

Worth it how? Like $$$ or for self betterment? Because it is definitely worth it if you want to push yourself to be the best you can and accumulate as much knowledge as possible.
Probably not worth it if you want to accumulate as much $$$ as possible. Not saying there is anything wrong with that, just depends on your goals I guess...

 

[Shingo123]

Worth it how? Like $$$ or for self betterment? Because it is definitely worth it if you want to push yourself to be the best you can and accumulate as much knowledge as possible.
Probably not worth it if you want to accumulate as much $$$ as possible. Not saying there is anything wrong with that, just depends on your goals I guess...

More towards the money. Also, I don't think I want to go back to the class room. 😀

 

[Diezel69x]

If you ever hear docs in a hospital talk, they'll always say that "surgeons dont know Sh***," and they're talking about the general MD surgeons. It is not entirely true but if you think about it surgeons really dont know nor need to know medicine as well as an internal medicine guy would, and in my opinion from what i've seen so far, dental school training gives you enough skill to look things up in medical books, and the residency actually makes you go and look it up. At the end a single degree guy knows just about the same material as a general surgeon, so in my opinion a 6 year program is not really necessary, but definitely not a waste if one is willing to go through it, because hey at the end doctors and lawyers are the respected ones in this society (not the dentists so much 🙂 )

 

[Bitters]

If you ever hear docs in a hospital talk, they'll always say that "surgeons dont know Sh***," and they're talking about the general MD surgeons. It is not entirely true but if you think about it surgeons really dont know nor need to know medicine as well as an internal medicine guy would, and in my opinion from what i've seen so far, dental school training gives you enough skill to look things up in medical books, and the residency actually makes you go and look it up. At the end a single degree guy knows just about the same material as a general surgeon, so in my opinion a 6 year program is not really necessary, but definitely not a waste if one is willing to go through it, because hey at the end doctors and lawyers are the respected ones in this society (not the dentists so much 🙂 )

You sir are an idiot

 

[sarah_bellum]

You sir are an idiot

NOW this thread is going somewhere.

 

[CanuckDDS]

If you ever hear docs in a hospital talk, they'll always say that "surgeons dont know Sh***," and they're talking about the general MD surgeons. It is not entirely true but if you think about it surgeons really dont know nor need to know medicine as well as an internal medicine guy would, and in my opinion from what i've seen so far, dental school training gives you enough skill to look things up in medical books, and the residency actually makes you go and look it up. At the end a single degree guy knows just about the same material as a general surgeon, so in my opinion a 6 year program is not really necessary, but definitely not a waste if one is willing to go through it, because hey at the end doctors and lawyers are the respected ones in this society (not the dentists so much 🙂 )

This is one of the most ridiculous things I have ever read. Thanks for that...I needed a good laugh. You are joking right?

If surgeons don't know $h!t, what do dental STUDENTS know?????
I think you may be confusing surgeons with orderlies...

You know, "in my opinion" dental school is not really that necessary. You can learn all you need to know about medicine from watching House and looking things up in textbooks
(Not the dentists so much🙂...hmmmm I wonder why?

 

[aphistis]

If you ever hear docs in a hospital talk, they'll always say that "surgeons dont know Sh***," and they're talking about the general MD surgeons. It is not entirely true but if you think about it surgeons really dont know nor need to know medicine as well as an internal medicine guy would, and in my opinion from what i've seen so far, dental school training gives you enough skill to look things up in medical books, and the residency actually makes you go and look it up. At the end a single degree guy knows just about the same material as a general surgeon, so in my opinion a 6 year program is not really necessary, but definitely not a waste if one is willing to go through it, because hey at the end doctors and lawyers are the respected ones in this society (not the dentists so much 🙂 )

After spending a year working with general surgeons nearly every single day, I have the sad duty to advise you that you have absolutely NO idea what you're talking about with regard to a good general surgeon's fund of knowledge.

 

[PAJain]

I find it amusing that dental students are challenging the level of knowledge of a general surgeon. You can argue for the next 10 years the difference in knowledge. Coming from "professional students," its ironic that you are arguing the validity of a doctoral degree. For every dual degreed OMFS that regrets going through med school, you can find 50 single degree guys who wish they had done a six year program.

 

[Count Orlok]

I find it amusing that dental students are challenging the level of knowledge of a general surgeon. You can argue for the next 10 years the difference in knowledge. Coming from "professional students," its ironic that you are arguing the validity of a doctoral degree. For every dual degreed OMFS that regrets going through med school, you can find 50 single degree guys who wish they had done a six year program.

Out of the OMS guys I have met through externships and what not, I have met 2 6 year residents that were glad they were in an integrated program (one is going on to do a cosmetic fellowship and one is going to do a craniofacial fellowship), but there were many that recommended that I stick to a 4 year and if they had it to do over they would definitely do a 4 year. So, from my experience the 1:50 ratio is a bit out of proportion.

 

[DrReo]

Out of the OMS guys I have met through externships and what not, I have met 2 6 year residents that were glad they were in an integrated program (one is going on to do a cosmetic fellowship and one is going to do a craniofacial fellowship), but there were many that recommended that I stick to a 4 year and if they had it to do over they would definitely do a 4 year. So, from my experience the 1:50 ratio is a bit out of proportion.

What was their said reason for sticking to a 4 yr program?

 

[Count Orlok]

What was their said reason for sticking to a 4 yr program?

For most, it was the whole I'm stuck doing my general surgery year while I could be chief or out in practice right now. A few disliked the way that some med schools treated them like second class students.

Just a note. By no way am I anti-6 year because I think the medical education could be invaluable. That is why it is making it so difficult as I start trying to narrow down places I want to apply too.

 

[CanuckDDS]

Out of the OMS guys I have met through externships and what not, I have met 2 6 year residents that were glad they were in an integrated program (one is going on to do a cosmetic fellowship and one is going to do a craniofacial fellowship), but there were many that recommended that I stick to a 4 year and if they had it to do over they would definitely do a 4 year. So, from my experience the 1:50 ratio is a bit out of proportion.

I couldn't be happier that I am doing a 6 year. If you are going to do it, do it right- go balls out. That is just my opinion...

I don't think the 50:1 ratio applies to residents. Most residents are busy, tired and generally angry. That ratio applies to post residency surgeons maybe? Every 4 year guy (3 of them) that I have talked to would've gone the MD route had they had the opportunity.

 

[armorshell]

I'm sure if you catch the 4 year guys during Gensurg they're probably like "Oh man, what am I doing here?! I could be slinging brackets and wires right now."

 

[Count Orlok]

I'm sure if you catch the 4 year guys during Gensurg they're probably like "Oh man, what am I doing here?! I could be slinging brackets and wires right now."

oh how true i am sure that is.

 

[Diezel69x]

This is one of the most ridiculous things I have ever read. Thanks for that...I needed a good laugh. You are joking right?

If surgeons don't know $h!t, what do dental STUDENTS know?????
I think you may be confusing surgeons with orderlies...

You know, "in my opinion" dental school is not really that necessary. You can learn all you need to know about medicine from watching House and looking things up in textbooks
(Not the dentists so much🙂...hmmmm I wonder why?

You need to learn how to READ first before you start WRITING back. I didnt even mention a word "student" i said that internal medicine (with MD) know more about medicine than general surgeons (also with MD). And i dont know who you know or what kind of residency program you are in, 4 year OMFS guys are right at about the same level of knowledge. BTW the "surgeons dont know ****" phrase is coming from the internal medicine residents, i've heard that multiple times, its the their reflection on the comparison between them. And with the "respect" issue, MD's are the ones who get more respect in social world, whether u like it or not.....

 

[CanuckDDS]

You need to learn how to READ first before you start WRITING back. I didnt even mention a word "student" i said that internal medicine (with MD) know more about medicine than general surgeons (also with MD). And i dont know who you know or what kind of residency program you are in, 4 year OMFS guys are right at about the same level of knowledge. BTW the "surgeons dont know ****" phrase is coming from the internal medicine residents, i've heard that multiple times, its the their reflection on the comparison between them. And with the "respect" issue, MD's are the ones who get more respect in social world, whether u like it or not.....

Who needs to learn how to read?
I wasn't referring to the IM's. I was referring to YOU! You are the student that doesn't know ****.

I am an MD/surgery resident you meatball. Thanks for filling me in wrt the "respect" issue. That was really confusing to me🙄

I talk to IM's daily, I know exactly what they know (which is a lot!) and they know exactly what I know and do which is a lot. If you knew anything about hospital life and medicine (other than what you get from watching House) you would know that everyone has their role/usefulness. Including those dumb Surgeons, whom you have gone on record saying "don't know ****". Even if you are quoting the one IM R1 that you know, that is a stupid statement.

And you know what? ENT's know way more about the ear than IM's!
And Neuro knows way more about the brain than IM's!
And Uro knows way more about renal than the IM's!
And the porters know way more about the hospital building than IM's!

I hope Internal Medicine specialists know WAAAAAAAY more Medicine than Surgeons. They are supposed to or they wasted their time in residency....
😕

Sorry for my abruptness Mods, but it had to be said!

 

[aphistis]

You need to learn how to READ first before you start WRITING back. I didnt even mention a word "student" i said that internal medicine (with MD) know more about medicine than general surgeons (also with MD). And i dont know who you know or what kind of residency program you are in, 4 year OMFS guys are right at about the same level of knowledge. BTW the "surgeons dont know ****" phrase is coming from the internal medicine residents, i've heard that multiple times, its the their reflection on the comparison between them. And with the "respect" issue, MD's are the ones who get more respect in social world, whether u like it or not.....

Stop. Please, just stop.

 

[armorshell]

How do you hide a dollar from a surgeon?

Put it in the chart.

 

[armorshell]

What are the hardest 2 years of a surgeons life?

1st year of medical school.

 

[armorshell]

How many surgeons does it take to screw in a light bulb?

2. 1 to hold the light bulb and 1 to hammer it in.

 

[armorshell]

What do you call 2 surgeons reading an EKG?

A double blind study.

 

[armorshell]

All jokes of course. Anyone in a surgical specialty is a thinking machine, plain and simple. Mucho respecto.

 

[shabu2]

How do you hide a dollar from a surgeon?

Put it in the chart.

What are the hardest 2 years of a surgeons life?

1st year of medical school.

How many surgeons does it take to screw in a light bulb?

2. 1 told the light bulb and 1 to hammer it in.

What do you call 2 surgeons reading an EKG?

A double blind study.

All jokes of course. Anyone in a surgical specialty is a thinking machine, plain and simple. Mucho respecto.

LMFAO

 

[Locutus of Borg]

What are the hardest 2 years of a surgeons life?

1st year of medical school.

Could you (or other people also familiar with OMFS 6 year programs) verify the seriousness of this response?

Thanks.

 

[armorshell]

Could you (or other people also familiar with OMFS 6 year programs) verify the seriousness of this response?

Thanks.

None of those responses were in any way serious.

 

[armorshell]

LMFAO

Oh I've got a million of 'em:

"What's the most studious specialty?

OB-GYN, they're always looking up something."

"How do you hide a dollar from IM?

Put it under a dressing"

"How do you hide a dollar from an orthopod?

Put it in a book."

"How do you hide a dollar from a neurosugeon?

Tape it to their kid's face."

"How do you hide a dollar from an orthodontist?

Impossible."

"Oral surgeons - Strong as oxes and twice as smart."

 

[CanuckDDS]

That is some of the funniest s$!t I have read. Definitely getting posted in our residents room.

 

[Columbia07]

LMFAO

How do you hide a dollar from a surgeon?

Put it in the chart.

What are the hardest 2 years of a surgeons life?

1st year of medical school.

How many surgeons does it take to screw in a light bulb?

2. 1 to hold the light bulb and 1 to hammer it in.

What do you call 2 surgeons reading an EKG?

A double blind study.

Absolutely F!cking Amazing.

 

[aphistis]

Actually, several of the best doctors I know are surgeons. On the other hand...

Q: What is the primary goal of orthopedic surgery residency?

A: Turning the smartest medical students into the dumbest doctors.



[asked of an orthopedics attending]
Q: What is the main function of the heart?

A: Pumping the Kefzol to the bones, of course.


I kid, I kid. The first one, believe it or not, was told to me by one of the orthopedics guys I used to work with.

 

[armorshell]

What are the ABCs of anesthesia?

Airway, Book, Coffee

 

[NeilMcCauley]

Ever heard of the "orthopedic listening post"? It's the anatomic location where you can simultaneously hear carotid bruits, heart sounds, breath sounds, and bowel sounds. It really speeds up the whole physical exam thing...

 

[armorshell]

I always heard it called the "Ortho Auscultation Point"

 

[servitup]

Out of the OMS guys I have met through externships and what not, I have met 2 6 year residents that were glad they were in an integrated program (one is going on to do a cosmetic fellowship and one is going to do a craniofacial fellowship), but there were many that recommended that I stick to a 4 year and if they had it to do over they would definitely do a 4 year. So, from my experience the 1:50 ratio is a bit out of proportion.

Many OMFS residents downplay their true feelings about getting the MD when asked by dental students so as to come off more humble. It is common for 6 yr residents to joke with one another and with dental students saying med school was a waste of time. In all seriousness, however, 99% of them believe the MD is extremely valuable personally and professionally. They just like to act jaded as senior residents and say "I could pull teeth just as well without it" which is true but has nothing to do with the reason for getting an MD.

 

[servitup]

By the way, if the OP really literally only cracked a book for 12 days and got a 240 he is the exception and not the rule. It would be very dangerous for most interns to use his strategy IMO. I didn't go to a dental school that integrates with the med students so maybe that helped him a bunch but I would say if I would have done what he claims to have done, I would have failed the test.

2nd year of med school offers nothing except more free time and fewer months of OMFS training but IMO one should start reading some study guides around Christmas time of their intern year to be ready to pass the test. Obv time is limited as an intern so I probably read 2-3x/week for an hour here and there up until my study time (3 weeks) but I got through Micro Made Simple, RR Path, BRS Phys, Kaplan Biochem (which was least useful) and Goljan Audio once during the few months leading up to my dedicated study time and I think that was invaluable.

In my 3 weeks of study time, I went through USMLEWorld completely in tutor mode (went through path a second time) and read First Aid 1.5x. My score=223. My NBDE Pt 1 score was 91. Undoubtedly the OP is smarter than me but I would just caution folks to assume they can use his strategy and pass b/c that would require an excellent beginning fund of knowledge which I didn't get from D school.

 

[6897round2]

By the way, if the OP really literally only cracked a book for 12 days and got a 240 he is the exception and not the rule. It would be very dangerous for most interns to use his strategy IMO. I didn't go to a dental school that integrates with the med students so maybe that helped him a bunch but I would say if I would have done what he claims to have done, I would have failed the test.

2nd year of med school offers nothing except more free time and fewer months of OMFS training but IMO one should start reading some study guides around Christmas time of their intern year to be ready to pass the test. Obv time is limited as an intern so I probably read 2-3x/week for an hour here and there up until my study time (3 weeks) but I got through Micro Made Simple, RR Path, BRS Phys, Kaplan Biochem (which was least useful) and Goljan Audio once during the few months leading up to my dedicated study time and I think that was invaluable.

In my 3 weeks of study time, I went through USMLEWorld completely in tutor mode (went through path a second time) and read First Aid 1.5x. My score=223. My NBDE Pt 1 score was 91. Undoubtedly the OP is smarter than me but I would just caution folks to assume they can use his strategy and pass b/c that would require an excellent beginning fund of knowledge which I didn't get from D school.

Servitup makes some excellent points. Perhaps I was not clear enough in my original post - while I agree that my experience may be a little atypical as far as the numbers go, I do believe that if you were given two weeks and used First Aid and UWorld, you could pass without too much of a struggle. Do not take for granted all of the "innate" knowledge that you will acquire as an intern and random stuff that you will remember from NBDE 1.

In summary, I would amend my original post to make the following points:

You can (and probably will) pass Step 1 if you study hard for two weeks and primarily use First AID and UWorld.

The caveat to the above statement is that: a) studying hard means really cranking down and looking up stuff that you don't understand/never learned/don't remember, b) being honest with yourself regarding goals (Passing versus 250+) and the effort required to achieve those goals (read: Advice on SDN for Step 1 takers is largely geared toward those who are MS2s who want to have their best shot at ortho/plastics/derm, etc. - take any advice on that board with a grain of salt) and c) limiting yourself to those resources that are time-tested, efficient (not 1000 page books or primary texts) and high yield.

Something like 95% of US-MD students pass on the first try. I would venture to suggest that the vast majority of OMFS residents will be in this group.

 

[SEPTOCAINE]

ok, thought I would provide my input of taking step 1.


I am in a 5 year MD that requires you to take the test before you start residency. That's tough, but works out well cause once residency starts you will not have time to study. I used kaplan and doctors in training on-line along with goljan audio and his rapid review, usmleworld and of course first aid. when i was done studying my copy of first aid looked like hell. this test is no joke, the test writers are slick and the question stems are long with 2-3 steps of thought. after the test I was convinced i failed but ended up doing well.😀 thats it, now back to being a whipping board in the glorious life of an intern.

 

[lionelhutz]

ok, thought I would provide my input of taking step 1.


I am in a 5 year MD that requires you to take the test before you start residency. That's tough, but works out well cause once residency starts you will not have time to study. I used kaplan and doctors in training on-line along with goljan audio and his rapid review, usmleworld and of course first aid. when i was done studying my copy of first aid looked like hell. this test is no joke, the test writers are slick and the question stems are long with 2-3 steps of thought. after the test I was convinced i failed but ended up doing well.😀 thats it, now back to being a whipping board in the glorious life of an intern.

Same boat. I'm also in a 5yr MD program. It was hell. I went to a dental school with a piss poor basic sciences curriculum. I had to teach myself everything. My bible was the first aid book and goljan was my moses. I used his rapid review path book and usmleworld. It was really tough but I somehow did it with a respectable score. I don't know how the heck i did it. I can tell you that the 2nd year of med school may be helpful but is not required. Its done with though. Once I saw "PASS" on the grade report I realized how lucky I am. I'm saving a year of my life and not wasting money on med school tuition. I'm happy 😀

 

[senpai]

Reviving an old thread here and am a 1st time poster, but looking on some more perspectives on Medical School licensing exams, etc. What is the general protocol in regards to timeline for these exams? Do many programs require part 1 to be competed prior to entering?
I will be applying this next cycle, have competitive board scores (mid 90's), good externships, no class rank (P/NP school), reaches almost 8", etc., etc.
I also have a few buddies who are 2nd year med students who will be taking Step 1 fairly soon. I was thinking about just studying hard with them this summer and taking Step 1 in September and just get it out of the way since I'll have a pretty light quarter this summer and some motivated bro's to study with. Wondering if this is a good idea or even a possibilty??? This might sound stupid since I haven't even been accepted yet, but it's been on my mind and thought I'd ask the question...
Also, it would be could to here some residents perspectives on Step 1 since we generally come from a non-traditional background in taking Step 1. Felt the OP's comments were very helpful so it would be good to here some others... Thanks!!!

 

[armorshell]

reaches almost 8"

I have a feeling you'll fit in just fine here

 

[DREDAY]

Reviving an old thread here and am a 1st time poster, but looking on some more perspectives on Medical School licensing exams, etc. What is the general protocol in regards to timeline for these exams? Do many programs require part 1 to be competed prior to entering?
I will be applying this next cycle, have competitive board scores (mid 90's), good externships, no class rank (P/NP school), reaches almost 8", etc., etc.
I also have a few buddies who are 2nd year med students who will be taking Step 1 fairly soon. I was thinking about just studying hard with them this summer and taking Step 1 in September and just get it out of the way since I'll have a pretty light quarter this summer and some motivated bro's to study with. Wondering if this is a good idea or even a possibilty??? This might sound stupid since I haven't even been accepted yet, but it's been on my mind and thought I'd ask the question...
Also, it would be could to here some residents perspectives on Step 1 since we generally come from a non-traditional background in taking Step 1. Felt the OP's comments were very helpful so it would be good to here some others... Thanks!!!

I don't think that's possible. I think you need to be sponsored by a medical school in order to take step 1. Medical schools will only sponsor you if you are enrolled.

 

[servitup]

I don't think that's possible. I think you need to be sponsored by a medical school in order to take step 1. Medical schools will only sponsor you if you are enrolled.

This is correct. Not possible until the program you match to gives you the green light. As for studying, it varies depending on where you match. If you match Nebraska or Case, you have to study from match day until about mid-May or early June and then go take the sucker which should be doable. If you match to a place that makes you do second year of med school you have tons of time and if you match to somewhere that doesn't have second year, most of those places will give you a dedicated month off of your intern year to study which is enough if you have done some prelim work leading up to that month off. Best of luck!