Recommendations for Step 2 Studying?

[psucowgirl]

Hi all,
Testing for Step 2 on may 1. I am trying to figure out my study schedule right now. I was VERY zealous when studying for shelf exams, and I used about 98% of Uworld during my shelf studying over M3. I also redid all my incorrects too so I have had about a 1.5x pass of Uworld at this point. I also did all the NBME practice shelves available to me already.
I didn't win awards for my shelf performance, but I scored within the range of 87-91 on all my shelves except IM (which was my first one and I was figuring things out, I got an 83 I believe). I like to think I did well for the most part.
I just took the NBME 10 practice examination and scored a 241, though I don't know how deservingly (I felt like I went on gut feeling on a lot rather than knowing what it actually was). I'm also not sure if that is a good baseline for someone shooting to score 260+.

My current plan is to redo all of Uworld (I am scoring in the 75-85 range right now, I remember verbatim maybe 2-3 questions out of a 40 q set and feel like I am remembering reasoning more than answer choices). I am also going to do the 1-4 hammer questions on Amboss (since I didn't touch that during M3). I also plan to redo all the CMS shelf practice exams, and all the practice NBMEs except maybe 9.

I guess my two questions - is this a good schedule? I kind of worry I don't have a supporting video resource like Pathoma and Sketchy for step 1 but tbh I find BnB to be a massive waste of time bc I stop paying attention. Second - what text should I use? I used White Coat Companion for M3 and it was good but maybe not terribly detailed? I own Step up 2 medicine and First aid for Step 2 and trying to figure out what the best reference is.

TY!

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[FalconSlice]

Hi all,
Testing for Step 2 on may 1. I am trying to figure out my study schedule right now. I was VERY zealous when studying for shelf exams, and I used about 98% of Uworld during my shelf studying over M3. I also redid all my incorrects too so I have had about a 1.5x pass of Uworld at this point. I also did all the NBME practice shelves available to me already.
I didn't win awards for my shelf performance, but I scored within the range of 87-91 on all my shelves except IM (which was my first one and I was figuring things out, I got an 83 I believe). I like to think I did well for the most part.
I just took the NBME 10 practice examination and scored a 241, though I don't know how deservingly (I felt like I went on gut feeling on a lot rather than knowing what it actually was). I'm also not sure if that is a good baseline for someone shooting to score 260+.

My current plan is to redo all of Uworld (I am scoring in the 75-85 range right now, I remember verbatim maybe 2-3 questions out of a 40 q set and feel like I am remembering reasoning more than answer choices). I am also going to do the 1-4 hammer questions on Amboss (since I didn't touch that during M3). I also plan to redo all the CMS shelf practice exams, and all the practice NBMEs except maybe 9.

I guess my two questions - is this a good schedule? I kind of worry I don't have a supporting video resource like Pathoma and Sketchy for step 1 but tbh I find BnB to be a massive waste of time bc I stop paying attention. Second - what text should I use? I used White Coat Companion for M3 and it was good but maybe not terribly detailed? I own Step up 2 medicine and First aid for Step 2 and trying to figure out what the best reference is.

TY!

I posted a lot about shelves and Step 2CK back when I took it and I think a lot of it is still applicable nowadays. I have linked my post below (I also posted specific shelf exam tips for the corresponding subjects: medicine, surgery, OB/gyn, etc. on their own which you can find by searching)

TLDR: almost all your prep is actually done by the time you finish your rotations. The “dedicated” time is to refresh and hone your knowledge and test taking strategies. Here is my promised post. Please ask if any questions:

Post in: 'Official 2020 Step 2 CK Experiences With Scores Thread'

Nov 18, 2020

I don't post here often, but SDN posts have been very helpful during my tenure, and I wanted to pay it forward to help others in the future.

USMLE Step 2CK score: 281

Study schedule:

I had finished all of UWorld at least 1.5 months out and had reset the qbank. I still had 1-2 rotations left in which time I would do the second pass of UWorld somewhere around 80 to 200 questions a day. I'd also do some reading and review my M3 books from my previous rotations throughout this time if I didn't feel like doing any questions. My overall strategy was to prioritize the shelf exams...

• FalconSlice

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[Billiam95]

B

Thread 'Step 2 Retrospective'

Aug 16, 2023

Hi y'all,

I've really enjoyed lurking here over the years and have benefitted greatly from some of the advice I have read here; I have had several threads bookmarked for years. I'd been kicking it around in my mind to do a write up on longitudinal step 2 prep in the post step 1 p/f world, assuming I got a competitive step 2 score. I had this idea for a couple reasons: 1) based on bad advice I've heard over the years and 2) seemingly poorly organized (in comparison to step 1) study strategies for step 2. I figured this could be my way of contributing to this little online community. I got...

• Billiam95
• step2 ck
• Replies: 8
• Forum: Medical Students (MD)

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• 

 

[psucowgirl]

B

Thread 'Step 2 Retrospective'

Aug 16, 2023

Hi y'all,

I've really enjoyed lurking here over the years and have benefitted greatly from some of the advice I have read here; I have had several threads bookmarked for years. I'd been kicking it around in my mind to do a write up on longitudinal step 2 prep in the post step 1 p/f world, assuming I got a competitive step 2 score. I had this idea for a couple reasons: 1) based on bad advice I've heard over the years and 2) seemingly poorly organized (in comparison to step 1) study strategies for step 2. I figured this could be my way of contributing to this little online community. I got...

• Billiam95
• step2 ck
• Replies: 8
• Forum: Medical Students (MD)

• 
• 

Thank you - a little more realistic than the 280s guy. I am focusing on finishing Uworld and AMBOSS, then using my last 2-3 weeks of dedicated to retake all the practice CMS forms, including the old ones. Also planning to take all the NBMEs and thoroughly review. Not really gonna do anki, just for incorrects, felt good to be validated!