Should i take USMLE now or postpone

[OMS3113]

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Hi everybody,

So first time posting here, and only because i am sort of freaking out and have a question. So I only got 4 weeks of dedicated study time for boards, and while i used it efficiently I'm still only scoring around 55% on Uworld and like a 215/220ish on NBMEs (form 13 and 15). My goal is around a 230 or a little higher but i only have one week left before i take the USMLE.

So here is my question, normally i would post pone it and study during rotations, however….my first rotation is surgery…followed by emergency med…followed by OB/GYN (and we have a really intense OB/GYN rotation, which is awesome but ya….)

They only let you extend your eligibility period 3 months, which means i have no "easy" rotation in which to study for this.

So I have 3 options and would like your opinions. Option 1 is only take COMLEX. Option 2 is i postpone the test, and do my best to study on weekends or down time and take it in August or September? Or option 3 --> should i take the USMLE, and then do my absolute best to crush step 2 next summer and make up the score then?

Any help would be greatly appreciated! I'm kind of having a mental breakdown here =(

 

[hallowmann]

If I were in your situation, I'd pick #3, but seeing as how I haven't taken either, you should probably take it with a grain of salt and get advice from some people further along.

 

[Dharma]

if you want to hit your goal… start hitting your weak points in FA hard for the next week. take another NBME a good 3 days before. if you're still not approaching the 230, then bag it. that said form 15 was kind of a rough one. take another one after a few days honing in on your weak points and see what's up.

also, trust your instincts on this. you probably already know what you need to do.

 

[AMEHigh]

Well realistically you won't have time to study during surgery or Emed. You'll get home late from surgery most likely and have to get up early, so you might be able to squeeze in some questions, but most likely your attending or resident might assign you reading regularly. With Emed, typically 12 hour shifts, so again, no study time.

So basically, I don't think post phoning will benefit you and might cause you to lose some knowledge as I assume you've been studying up until this point.

So I'd take another practice test and either take it or skip it. I wouldn't postpone.

 

[pattr]

It is very hard to study for step 1 during rotations, and it is impossible to study during surgery rotation.

I would go with option 3. If you can confidently score at least the national average on step 1 you will be comfortable to match in multiple specialties... what do you want to do btw?

 

[OMS3113]

Hey Guys,

So i took another NBME again today and didn't hit my goal so I'm going to post-pone it. That said, you guys brought up a good point about the surgery and EM rotation. So i switched into a selective for July. I'm taking Radiology as an elective, which (at least in my area) i've heard is a pretty laid back one. Anyways i bought myself another 3 weeks, so ill be doing the best i can!

As for what I want to do i'm not entirely sure yet. I got to do smaller rotations during my second year (once/twice a week with a preceptor), and i really enjoyed EM. I was a genetic engineer too in college so i have an interest in cancer/oncology as well (Rads or Med). But truth be told not 100% sure. I just want a good score to not close doors.

Anyways thank you all for your help! I'll probably be back to ask for more in the coming weeks!