MD Should I take take Step 1 after my 2nd or 3rd year?? (Class of 2023)

[throwaway3732]

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Hi! So my medical school announced that they would let the class of 2023 decide when we want to take the exam (2nd or 3rd year). They will then just place us in 2 different tracks based on our choices, but we still get a 6 week dedicated period regardless.

Based on today's announcement, I'd have a score if I took it in 2021 and a P/F if I take it in 2022.
I go to a mid-high tier medical school that is true P/F, so class rank/pre-clinical grades are also not a factor when applying to residency.

I'm not aiming for a competitive specialty (possibly psychiatry or IM), and I honestly have not done any substantial Step 1 prep yet, although I definitely plan on stepping that up this year.

I'm kind of lost as to which track would be more advantageous for me and would really appreciate everyone's thoughts!!

 

[Davidfromcali]

Is your school doing this because of the step 1 change or because it has something to do with the curriculum?

 

[throwaway3732]

Is your school doing this because of the step 1 change or because it has something to do with the curriculum?

Because of the Step 1 change! (although they told us about this before the USMLE clarified that Step 1 taken before 2022 will be scored).

 

[Davidfromcali]

Because of the Step 1 change! (although they told us about this before the USMLE clarified that Step 1 taken before 2022 will be scored).

So your school is going off the assumption that step 1 will for sure be P/F in 2022 and not later on? Does an admin at your school have confirmation that this is for happening? The “no earlier than January of 2022” language that the NBME uses makes it sound like the actual date is up in the air

 

[throwaway3732]

So your school is going off the assumption that step 1 will for sure be P/F in 2022 and not later on? Does an admin at your school have confirmation that this is for happening? The “no earlier than January of 2022” language that the NBME uses makes it sound like the actual date is up in the air

They don't have any sort of confirmation, and yes there's still a lot of uncertainty with the actual date.
I think my school was internally wanting to go towards having students take Step 1 after clerkships eventually, and this decision by the USMLE made that happen faster. And they wanted to give just the class of 2023 the option to make an individual choice anyway because if it does go P/F Jan 2022, then it'll be a split group nationwide with some P/Fs and some scored.

 

[M&L]

How soon do you have to decide ?

 

[DrStephenStrange]

From a low tier MD, I think you might benefit from having a score as long it's not like a super low score. But a mid-high tier, I'm not totally confident about that. I guess you could benefit if it's like a 240+ maybe.

 

[throwaway3732]

How soon do you have to decide ?

Our school didn't tell us yet

 

[throwaway3732]

I'm just so confused on what would be best for me when it comes to being evaluated by residency programs. If Step does go P/F by 2022 then 2/3 of the Class of 2023 will have scores and the other 1/3 will be P/F.

@Goro @NotAProgDirector I'd really appreciate any help!

 

[M&L]

Our school didn't tell us yet

I would start hitting it hard from day 1 of M2, try a few practice tests and see how you are doing . If you feel like you can get at least a National average or better , I’d take it as graded . If it turns out that you are struggling - push it . That’s what I would do .

 

[Goro]

I'm just so confused on what would be best for me when it comes to being evaluated by residency programs. If Step does go P/F by 2022 then 2/3 of the Class of 2023 will have scores and the other 1/3 will be P/F.

@Goro @NotAProgDirector I'd really appreciate any help!

I'll defer to my wise colleague.