Should I start?

[agranulocytosis]

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I took the CK in March last year, graduated in December. I haven't really done anything since graduation except for interviewing, exercising and pretty much just bumming around otherwise.

Since I'll be a surgical prelim this year and I have loads of time off until July 1st, I was thinking of preparing and taking the Step 3. I've already searched through the forums and come up with a reasonable study plan, but I was thinking, will all of this time off hurt me and make my prep work less efficient than if I took it some time during PGY-1?

In other words, what would you guys do?

 

[Golding]

As a prelim surgeon presumably trying to get a categorical spot, one of the goals you're going to have is to impress on the ABSITE. Surgery won't care what your Step 3 score is as long as you pass it, but they will care what your ABSITE score is. The more time you can open up for your floorwork and your ABSITE studies, the better. I'm in a similar position as you, though with a bit less time sitting pretty, and I intend to knock the Step 3 out before I start residency.

 

[lord_jeebus]

I would totally get it out of the way. The closer you are to CK, the easier it will be to review (there is not much difference in content).