Step 2 after Step 1

[bt9099]

---

Members don't see this ad.

What do you guys know of just going all out and taking Step 2 after Step 1?

It feel like it would be a killer, but I was just going through sample Step 2 questions (clinical knowledge) and A LOT of that stuff seems very doable. OBviously it would need more prepearation, but taking it close to after Step 1 would seem like a huge advantage becuase the Step 1 material would be in your head....

What have you guys heard?

 

[VPDcurt]

I think the fact that you actually went ahead and did sample Step 2 questions is probably the most hellish thing I've ever heard. Why put yourself through that right now? I really can't think of one reason that justifies taking step 2 that early.

 

[DwyaneWade]

I think the fact that you actually went ahead and did sample Step 2 questions is probably the most hellish thing I've ever heard. Why put yourself through that right now? I really can't think of one reason that justifies taking step 2 that early.

Seriously.


If you feel sufficiently motivated and have time, go right ahead.

But your clinical years are supposed to prepare you well for Step 2.

 

[lord_jeebus]

Step II is easier in my opinion, but has a lot of material that you don't learn until clinical years. I also think 80% of Step I material is useless for Step II.

The only stuff that is on both is the behavioral questions, biostats/epidemiology, and very basic pharm, micro, and mechanisms of disease.

 

[bt9099]

THanks guys. Yea I know you don't have a lot of the clnical knowledge supposedely, but a lot of it seems to overlap with the clnical knowledge we'ev learned from studying for step i. Also, I hear that you don't really learn all that much during the clinical years that you can retain easily for the test, most of it is learned again by studying on your own and from a review book and/or question bank. This is certainly what happened for me while preparing for step i: I learned most of this crap on my own with FA and UW....

 

[lord_jeebus]

Step 2 is more about reasoning and less about knowledge. If you had to, I'm sure you could self-study with some review books and do well. However, I think the best preparation for this test is the shelf exams you take throughout 3rd year, which are very similar in content.

 

[alpha06]

Perhaps take an NBME step 2 practice exam and see where you stand.


But I would wait until after clinicals to take step 2 exam. Why rush?

 

[bt9099]

Yea maybe I'll take a practice. I know it sounds so unorthodox to take itnow, but it pains me to think that I"m gonna forget 95% of this crap in a year, and ahve to relearn it again. This is a crazy idea, I know, but I think it warrants some consideration...

 

[lord_jeebus]

Yea maybe I'll take a practice. I know it sounds so unorthodox to take itnow, but it pains me to think that I"m gonna forget 95% of this crap in a year, and ahve to relearn it again. This is a crazy idea, I know, but I think it warrants some consideration...

You won't have to relearn it, that's the thing. Most Step I material is worthless for Step II. As for recognizing clinical presentations in the NBME style, you'll do it every shelf exam.

Bottom line, preparing for Step II is not that hard (I read FA once, did UW once, and broke 260), and I think it would be harder to do it now then to do it in a year.

 

[GynGuy1983]

I'll tell you how it goes because I plan on taking Step 2 a couple of months after Step 1. I finished my clinicals (European graduate), but now have to revert back to pre-clinical knowledge, which is very annoying and tedious. I felt that the Step 2 questions that I have done were not that difficult, yet still require a lot of the basic science information applied in the first part. The only difference between 1 and 2 is that the second part is more management oriented and it takes treatment options to the next level.

 

[alpha06]

Bottom line, preparing for Step II is not that hard (I read FA once, did UW once, and broke 260), and I think it would be harder to do it now then to do it in a year.

lord_jeebus, would you consider yourself an exceptional student (or former student)? This sounds easier said than done. How long did you take to study for step 2 and achieve the aforementioned results?

 

[nowai]

Well there is the saying, the Steps, like NF Type 2, follows the rules of 2s.

Step 1: 2 months work
Step 2: 2 weeks work
Step 3: 2 pencils work

How true is it?

 

[lord_jeebus]

lord_jeebus, would you consider yourself an exceptional student (or former student)? This sounds easier said than done. How long did you take to study for step 2 and achieve the aforementioned results?

My shelf exam scores were above average, but not spectacular (generally not enough for Honors).

I studied for a few hours/day for 2 weeks, no more than 60 hrs total. My target score was 240.

By contrast, for Step I I started studying around January (10 hrs/wk), increased to 20 hrs/wk in March, and increased that to all-out cramming before taking the test in June. I probably put in 20 times as much time and effort for that one.

 

[mom2four]

I'll tell you how it goes because I plan on taking Step 2 a couple of months after Step 1. I finished my clinicals (European graduate), but now have to revert back to pre-clinical knowledge, which is very annoying and tedious. I felt that the Step 2 questions that I have done were not that difficult, yet still require a lot of the basic science information applied in the first part. The only difference between 1 and 2 is that the second part is more management oriented and it takes treatment options to the next level.

Hi, I was just wondering where you were in this process have you taken either exam yet? thanks