MD & DO Should I take a practice Step 1 exam just to see where I stand/ What's the best way to study this summer?

[SillyGenius]

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I've been on summer break for a couple of weeks now after finishing my M1 year. I actually had to repeat the year due to failures in the first semester. Thankfully, I passed all my classes and averaged an 85+ on all classes this past semester

I am using all my time this summer to study the past material and try to get ahead for the upcoming semester. I am not really in a position to take a break or a vacation since failing another course will get me kicked out of med school. Plus, I've done really well this past semester and want to keep that going

So far, I've been reviewing the past content and trying to learn the content for my next semester. I'm getting overwhelmed with all the drugs and am wondering if there is a more efficient way to learn the drugs, their mechanism of action, and the adverse effects. I've been doing some practice question and I notice that boards seem to ask about adverse effects a ton, any tips/ advice on how to master this?

Also, is it a bad idea to do a practice Step 1 test just to see where I stand? I'll have to take this test in a year in any case but I'm worried about "wasting" an exam

Other than studying, I don't have anything else planned this summer, no research or EC. I just want to match FM or IM (preferably FM) as I know I can't get anything else due to remediating M1. Will not doing anything this summer besides studying be seen as a "red flag" or a deficiency on my future residency app?

 

[eteshoe]

In your particular case I guess it doesn't harm you to take one and see what deficiencies you can work on during the upcoming semester alongside your regular studies. I would suggest taking one of the older forms (e.g. 25-27) offline to get a feel. Of course you could pay for whatever oldest form they have available on the NBME website but that's kind of a waste this far out

 

[operaman]

Not sure there’s much to gain at this point because all it will show is that you have severe deficiencies in all the classes you haven’t taken yet. In a traditional 2 year preclinical curriculum, I found boards questions too early weren’t that helpful because you frequently encounter material you simply haven’t covered yet. Since most questions integrate across disciplines, even something testing a basic M1 concept like biochem may do so via a drug mechanism you’ll cover in M2.

I think you’re on the right track - start looking ahead for some of the rote memory stuff like bugs and drugs. Lots of people will try to mature those Anki cards over the summer. Others will also hit some high yield boards review stuff like Pathoma to get a jump on key concepts.

 

[SillyGenius]

In your particular case I guess it doesn't harm you to take one and see what deficiencies you can work on during the upcoming semester alongside your regular studies. I would suggest taking one of the older forms (e.g. 25-27) offline to get a feel. Of course you could pay for whatever oldest form they have available on the NBME website but that's kind of a waste this far out

Not sure there’s much to gain at this point because all it will show is that you have severe deficiencies in all the classes you haven’t taken yet. In a traditional 2 year preclinical curriculum, I found boards questions too early weren’t that helpful because you frequently encounter material you simply haven’t covered yet. Since most questions integrate across disciplines, even something testing a basic M1 concept like biochem may do so via a drug mechanism you’ll cover in M2.

I think you’re on the right track - start looking ahead for some of the rote memory stuff like bugs and drugs. Lots of people will try to mature those Anki cards over the summer. Others will also hit some high yield boards review stuff like Pathoma to get a jump on key concepts.

Thanks! Just wondering, since my goal is FM/ IM, do you think I can still match to either of those specialties even if I do nothing this summer, like no research, ECs, or summer rotations? Or do you recommend taking a couple weeks off to do something. Ive heard that FM/IM doesn't really care about research which is why i thought it would be best to focus on passing and acing my classes + STEP 1

 

[Goro]

Thanks! Just wondering, since my goal is FM/ IM, do you think I can still match to either of those specialties even if I do nothing this summer, l

Absolutely.

This is your last free summer until you hit Professor Emeritus, so take time to enjoy it.

 

[eteshoe]

Thanks! Just wondering, since my goal is FM/ IM, do you think I can still match to either of those specialties even if I do nothing this summer, like no research, ECs, or summer rotations? Or do you recommend taking a couple weeks off to do something. Ive heard that FM/IM doesn't really care about research which is why i thought it would be best to focus on passing and acing my classes + STEP 1

Depends on the type of FM/IM program you want to get into. The top tier ones will expect some research but middle of the road programs you'd be fine doing no research. I would suggest getting involved in some ECs like a subspecialty interest group. The match process continues to get tougher each cycle so I tend to err on the side of caution

 

[operaman]

Thanks! Just wondering, since my goal is FM/ IM, do you think I can still match to either of those specialties even if I do nothing this summer, like no research, ECs, or summer rotations? Or do you recommend taking a couple weeks off to do something. Ive heard that FM/IM doesn't really care about research which is why i thought it would be best to focus on passing and acing my classes + STEP 1

I think you can probably do it all. A tiny bit of research shouldn’t eat up much time and allow plenty of time for recreation and other study. But it’s also not critical for what you want to do.

Gearing up for second year to ensure you pass is definitely priority one.

 

[Med Ed]

I am using all my time this summer to study the past material and try to get ahead for the upcoming semester. I am not really in a position to take a break or a vacation since failing another course will get me kicked out of med school.

This sounds like a great recipe for burnout.

 

[Nontrad_FL_LGBT]

This sounds like a great recipe for burnout.

Agreed. Just keep doing an hour or two of Anki and a question block per day and you'll be fine. Please have fun over the summer.

 

[SillyGenius]

This sounds like a great recipe for burnout.

I can see why you might think that, but I am not in a position to take much of a break, if I fail a single course next year then it will likely end my medical career. Besides, I've already done very well this past year and had a great second semester, why not keep it going? I didn't take a vacation over winter break and focused on preparing myself for my second semester and it paid off. Why wouldn't the same be true this time?

I have one more year of preclinicals before clinical years begin, if I can just get through the preclinicals, then the clinical years should be relatively easy

 

[Nontrad_FL_LGBT]

You averaged an 85+ and you're also at risk of failing out? That doesn't make a ton of sense.

 

[SillyGenius]

You averaged an 85+ and you're also at risk of failing out? That doesn't make a ton of sense.

Last year, I failed courses in my first semester and was forced to repeat M1 year. So this year was my repeat year. My repeat year went smoothly with no failures, but it's too risky to take a break this summer because if I fail a course during M2, its likely that I could be kicked out

 

[LunaOri]

Agreed. Just keep doing an hour or two of Anki and a question block per day and you'll be fine. Please have fun over the summer.

I agree with this strategy. It’s possible to do a little studying and also enjoy some free time.

 

[Med Ed]

I can see why you might think that, but I am not in a position to take much of a break, if I fail a single course next year then it will likely end my medical career. Besides, I've already done very well this past year and had a great second semester, why not keep it going? I didn't take a vacation over winter break and focused on preparing myself for my second semester and it paid off. Why wouldn't the same be true this time?

I have one more year of preclinicals before clinical years begin, if I can just get through the preclinicals, then the clinical years should be relatively easy

I understand your reasoning, but periodic breaks are typically necessary to maintain optimal long-term performance.

Let us know how it goes for you.