Step 2 after taking a year off?

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Hi, I just finished my third year and am taking a year off to do a research year. My question is, what books should I read during my time off so that I'll be prepared for step 2 and also so that when I return to 4th year I won't have forgotten everything? I'm thinking of reading Step Up Medicine and perhaps Boards and Wards for step 2. Any and all suggestions are much appreciated. Thank you.

 

[AFDuck]

Since all the third year info is fresh now, why don't you take step 2 sooner rather than later?

 

[PurpleHaze]

I agree that taking Step 2CK would be easier now than waiting a year and attempting to recall things.

 

[zoomzoomzoom]

Since all the third year info is fresh now, why don't you take step 2 sooner rather than later?

I did really well on Step 1 so I don't want to risk screwing it up, but it would be nice if there was a way to review the material at a leisurely pace.

 

[tfom08]

I did really well on Step 1 so I don't want to risk screwing it up, but it would be nice if there was a way to review the material at a leisurely pace.

How did you do on your 3rd year clerkships and shelf exams? If you did really well on step 1 and did well on your shelf exams, I would say put in a solid few weeks now and bang out a high score on Step 2 ck and you will put yourself in even better position for the match. If you are going to wait, probably Step Up and the Kaplan series is what I would do if you have quite a bit of time on your hands. And you could even work on a year subscription of UW. With so much time, you could work through all of that pretty leisurely.

 

[zoomzoomzoom]

How did you do on your 3rd year clerkships and shelf exams? If you did really well on step 1 and did well on your shelf exams, I would say put in a solid few weeks now and bang out a high score on Step 2 ck and you will put yourself in even better position for the match. If you are going to wait, probably Step Up and the Kaplan series is what I would do if you have quite a bit of time on your hands. And you could even work on a year subscription of UW. With so much time, you could work through all of that pretty leisurely.

I scored >240 on Step I and I did fine on my shelf exams (ie in the 80's for most of them). I think that logically with a moderate amount of studying I should be able to get a solid score on Step 2 if I were take it in the next month or two, but honestly I don't want to run the risk of scoring poorly and having it hurt my chances at matching. I'm of the opinion that scoring really well on step 2 isn't going to greatly improve my chances at matching or net me additional interviews but scoring < 240 will hurt my chances and possibly cost me interviews. I appreciate your suggestions and I'll definitely look into the Kaplan series. If you, or anyone else, has any other suggestions, I'd love to hear them. Thank you.

 

[HamOnWholeWheat]

Take Step II earlier rather than later, for your own sake. You WILL do better, I have no doubt of that. Its just so much easier, and so many people don't study for it, the curve is working in your favor if you actually study for it.

A year down the road, when applying for residencies, do you want PD's to say "good job on Step II" or "its been over a year, why haven't you taken it yet given you had so much time off?"

Also, not to be critical, but a 240-ish score isn't what it used to be. Its great for noncompetitive specialties, but its just average for the ROAD specialties or surgical subspecialties. Look at the latest "charting outcomes 2009" and you'll see what I mean. If I were you, I'd look at Step II as another opportunity to shine, and stand out from the pack.

 

[tfom08]

I scored >240 on Step I and I did fine on my shelf exams (ie in the 80's for most of them). I think that logically with a moderate amount of studying I should be able to get a solid score on Step 2 if I were take it in the next month or two, but honestly I don't want to run the risk of scoring poorly and having it hurt my chances at matching. I'm of the opinion that scoring really well on step 2 isn't going to greatly improve my chances at matching or net me additional interviews but scoring < 240 will hurt my chances and possibly cost me interviews. I appreciate your suggestions and I'll definitely look into the Kaplan series. If you, or anyone else, has any other suggestions, I'd love to hear them. Thank you.

I think scoring 80's on your shelf exams will put you in good position to score into the 250's on CK pretty easily with a few good weeks of studying. I think that can be a significant bonus on an application. You will almost definitely not score below 240 if you put in some time. Seriously, step 2 is an easier curve, no matter what anyone says. A lot of the people who score 260+ on step 1 don't study as hard for step 2 so the competition is less. If you take it early and put in some time, you will improve. If you are worried about going down, you can see how your UW scores are looking or take an NBME exam to make sure you are in position to do well.

If you do decide to wait, I think the Kaplan books were plenty comprehensive if you have plenty of time to read them. Otherwise, step up with crush and of course UW will be fine for less time. I am pretty similar to you, average shelf was mid 80's, studied for 4 weeks during an elective with a 4 day vacation in the middle and I am thinking I still did better than Step 1 even without as much studying (haven't gotten CK score back yet). Waiting is ok if you think your Step 1 is going to carry you, but studying for step 2 later will be harder because you'll lose the advantage of the knowledge you have from doing well on shelf exams.

 

[Mortal_Lessons]

Any one else take a year off after third year and then take step 2?

I'm in a similar position as the OP, as I'm doing a year-long research year; however, I do not have the choice of taking it early since I virtually have no time off to go and take it. So I'm stuck with having to study for it for the year and take it when the year is up prior to starting 4th year. I'll have about 20 days off to study for and take it at the end of the research year. I did well on my third year shelf exams (90+) and Step 1 (>265), so it kind of sucks to try and continuously keep third year knowledge in the fore while learning new things during the research year. Any success stories and/or tactics would be much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[mie820]

Any one else take a year off after third year and then take step 2?

I'm in a similar position as the OP, as I'm doing a year-long research year; however, I do not have the choice of taking it early since I virtually have no time off to go and take it. So I'm stuck with having to study for it for the year and take it when the year is up prior to starting 4th year. I'll have about 20 days off to study for and take it at the end of the research year. I did well on my third year shelf exams (90+) and Step 1 (>265), so it kind of sucks to try and continuously keep third year knowledge in the fore while learning new things during the research year. Any success stories and/or tactics would be much appreciated. Thanks.

I'd say it depends on your available time in research. Sounds like your schedule is tight. What you've suggested is good. But the key is to study in a continuous manner, do questions every day so you'd adapt yourself on reading fast and using your brain in clinical based problem. Research would be really tough, specially if basic. I had one year of research in molecular biology, and I was praying to finish just after starting by a week. You'd have to learn new things every now and then. So keep your mind and memory balanced between both. I don't know about your research duties, but I was involved in almost everything from lab skills to surfing the web for scientific articles for presentation.

Your shelf scores are good, so that should be good incentive to continue what you have started and hit 99 in CK.

Good Luck.