Should I postpone my Step 1? Advise please.

[alisepeep]

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I have 4 weeks left until Step 1. I am about 50% done with content review (1st pass). I am scoring 40% on QBank. Here's thing thing: my vacation is technically my 1st rotation so I can push my exam back by up to 4 weeks, but then I would lose my vacation competely and would go from step 1 straight into my surgery rotation without any breaks in between. Would you guys recommend this? Would the 4 weeks make a huge difference in my test score?

Althernatevly, if i were to stick with my current test date, what should i be doing to increase my score dramatically in the next 4 weeks?
Thank you!

 

[Jamiu22]

I have 4 weeks left until Step 1. I am about 50% done with content review (1st pass). I am scoring 40% on QBank. Here's thing thing: my vacation is technically my 1st rotation so I can push my exam back by up to 4 weeks, but then I would lose my vacation competely and would go from step 1 straight into my surgery rotation without any breaks in between. Would you guys recommend this? Would the 4 weeks make a huge difference in my test score?
Thank you!

Huge if you are scoring 40%....

...and don't worry I'm doing the same thing - going str8 from exam on a friday, and starting rotations the following monday... 4wks of vacation vs 10-30pts increase step1 score? you gotta make that call.... and choose wisely. 🙂

👍

 

[InFactotum]

I have 4 weeks left until Step 1. I am about 50% done with content review (1st pass). I am scoring 40% on QBank. Here's thing thing: my vacation is technically my 1st rotation so I can push my exam back by up to 4 weeks, but then I would lose my vacation competely and would go from step 1 straight into my surgery rotation without any breaks in between. Would you guys recommend this? Would the 4 weeks make a huge difference in my test score?

Althernatevly, if i were to stick with my current test date, what should i be doing to increase my score dramatically in the next 4 weeks?
Thank you!

Take a recent NBME and verify you are at high risk before you abandon your date. Also, I believe you can cancel your test with short notice, so you could wait until say a week before and if you aren't up to par on your NBME scores, you could cancel and keep studying (verify this on the USMLE site, I'm too lazy and going on memory).

 

[alisepeep]

bumppppp

 

[MDSlacker]

Yea I would wait to push back your test date. You haven't even made one pass through FA yet so I would wait until you've done that, take a NBME, and then see where you're at. If you still feel like you need to increase your score more then push it back otherwise take it on the scheduled date.

Also, I would check with your school to make sure you are allowed to do this. I know with my school we have a one month vacation b/w step 1 and rotations but that is because the school needs time for step 1 to be scored and them receive the scores. We have to pass step 1 in order to start rotations so if you took your exam the Friday before you start rotations they wouldn't know if you have passed yet.

 

[vandyam]

bumppppp

You've already been given solid advice on this one.

If I was scoring 40%, I'd 100% push back...the increase 4 weeks (spent wisely) can give you is huge, and for me it would be worth it. You have to make this choice though.

As said above, take a practice exam in the next week or so to better gauge where you are.

 

[whatdidigetinto]

You've already been given solid advice on this one.

If I was scoring 40%, I'd 100% push back...the increase 4 weeks (spent wisely) can give you is huge, and for me it would be worth it. You have to make this choice though.

As said above, take a practice exam in the next week or so to better gauge where you are.

Key word: Wisely