"Peaking" USMLE

[JP2740]

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I've heard people mention peaking for step 1 studying. I'm not at the point of my dedicated studying period, but this just sounds dumb to me. Does this imply that if you know more, your score will not increase further? Is there a limit to your step 1 score that is genetically predetermined? What the **** is peaking?

 

[Stellar Clouds]

Eventually you will start to burn out. You will start retaining stuff less well and even start forgetting things. I knew I peaked, so I moved my test a week forward. Turned out to be a fantastic decision. I ended the pain and suffering earlier than expected and ended up with a stellar score.

 

[MetalGearFox]

I do not accept this concept of "peaking" either. I think this one of those things medical students hear and when repeated often enough eventually start to believe. The real reasons people only study 5-7 weeks in my opinion? First, there is are actual time constraints. Where can you find 2-3 months of dedicated study time? No school will give you that. Second, when they say peaking they actually mean diminishing returns. This I understand, but it is up to the individual to decide if that's worth it for their step 1 goals.

 

[Staradmiral]

Peaking is the point at which staying further would lower your score. This is very true if you have done a comprehensive review for step 1. I don't just mean diminishing returns. You actually lose more memory from your studying 2,3,4 months ago than you gain per new day. I'm glad i wrote my exam 3 weeks earlier than most of my classmates. I definitely did better than I would have if i waited 3 more weeks.

 

[e30ftw]

step 1 is about knowledge but also endurance. you need to be in the frame of mind to approach each question freshly and try to figure out what the question writer is asking.

Feeling personally refreshed and relaxed and being in a peaceful state of mind the day of the exam will help you do your best more than studying an extra day. i probably "peaked" my studying a week before i actually took step 1.. ended up moving my test date up 5 days because i was so sick of studying that I was going through first aid again and again and doing 100 uworld q's a day but not even learning anything because I was burnt out. When you get to that point, you're ready to take the test. You're not going to improve your score by studying more.

the day before every massive test in med school i would wake up early, do something active (hike, surf, run) all day long, fall asleep relaxed and ready the next day.

 

[sanityonleave]

Peaking is the point at which staying further would lower your score. This is very true if you have done a comprehensive review for step 1. I don't just mean diminishing returns. You actually lose more memory from your studying 2,3,4 months ago than you gain per new day. I'm glad i wrote my exam 3 weeks earlier than most of my classmates. I definitely did better than I would have if i waited 3 more weeks.

This.

Unless you're superhuman, you will eventually burn out of studying. That doesn't mean you will stop studying, but you'll get less and less efficient -- both in your studying and test taking.

Everyone has to do what seems best for them, and you may be different. I took the exam two weeks earlier than most of my classmates and actually feel like I waited a week too long -- I ended up "peaking" a week before my test. Ultimately I did better than most of my classmates despite having 25% less time to study (6 weeks vs 8 weeks), and I think a big part of that is the "burnout" factor.

 

[metallica81788]

step 1 is about knowledge but also endurance. you need to be in the frame of mind to approach each question freshly and try to figure out what the question writer is asking.

Feeling personally refreshed and relaxed and being in a peaceful state of mind the day of the exam will help you do your best more than studying an extra day. i probably "peaked" my studying a week before i actually took step 1.. ended up moving my test date up 5 days because i was so sick of studying that I was going through first aid again and again and doing 100 uworld q's a day but not even learning anything because I was burnt out. When you get to that point, you're ready to take the test. You're not going to improve your score by studying more.

the day before every massive test in med school i would wake up early, do something active (hike, surf, run) all day long, fall asleep relaxed and ready the next day.

Agreed. I peaked about 5-6 days before my actual Step 1 on my last practice NBME, which was 7 point higher than my real Step 1. I wasn't as productive those last couple days and could have had a longer vacation if I would have moved it up. If not for a higher score, than at least a longer break before third year.

 

[JP2740]

Ok got it. I have 40 days after year 2 ends to study. I think I'm going to keep it that way unless I really begin to feel the way you guys describe.