step 1 after research year?

[abcxyz0123]

I am thinking about doing a research year after 2nd year, and just really striving to learn the most high yield step 1 material during that research year for about 3 hours a day, and then taking 2 months after the research year to study hardcore for the step 1. I don't burn out easily, and I actually enjoy learning this stuff as well as I can...so I actually would not mind doing it and would have fun with it, knowing that it would pay off. But i was just wondering....are there a lot of questions on step 1 that require such deep knowledge of 2nd year material that it would only be best to take it right after 2nd year, when everything from classes (like pictures/slides/etc) is still fresh? Or can any question be answered on step 1 from the info in the review books? For example...I did a similar method for the MCAT (knew tons of review books inside out) and it worked wonderfully...but with the MCAT any question can be answered from the review books....so I don't know if it would work just as well with step 1.

Anyone?

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[blz]

I wouldn't take it after a research year. Your goal during the research year is to publish like mad. The end of the research year is easily the most time consuming part as you bust your butt to get your manuscripts in and attend conferences.

I am just completing a research year now and will have around 6-8 manuscripts submitted/accepted by the time I apply. There is no way I had any time to study for any usmle exam. My case is a little different though because I took my research year after 3rd year so I had to work like crazy to get papers in before apps.

You can get a crapload of papers out during a research year if you network well and work efficiently. You can't do that if you are studying for step 1.

Also, you will feel a lot better if you enter your research year having already completed step 1. This year off is also a time for you to get your life in order and escape the med school lifestyle. Good luck.

 

[ucsfstudents]

My advice.. do what has worked for you in the past. Some people need very little time to review materials for exams and do quite well with a few weeks of studying for step 1 right after second year. Others really need extra time to review the material, relearn it, process it from different angles, answer many practice questions, etc. etc.

In addition, if you have research experience, you know how hard it is to do anything else outside of research... of course that also depends on your research project. 3 hours a day might be asking too much, but this is moreso if you're doing basic science. Go back and think about what worked for you in the past, and do the same thing for Step 1. Don't try to apply other peoples' study methods to your own. One or two publications is usually enough for most competitive residencies.
Good luck.