Step II Studying

[Zevidah]

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Anyone have a study schedule (or philosophy or suggestions) planned out for Step II that they feel like sharing?

 

[BassDominator]

Take test late enough that residencies won't see the score, walk in cold, get exact same score you got on step I, enjoy fourth year.

Seriously, if you study more than a week or two, you're just wasting your time.

Sorry. I know this sounds like a bad attitude.... but I'm just of the belief that standardized test scores don't necessarily make you a good doctor.

 

[KyGrlDr2B]

Moving to usmle forum.

 

[musicman1991]

I agree that studying is not that useful, but still, I felt like I got killed taking that test. As did 3 other people on this board and 5 other people I know. So I'm not sure what the deal is.

 

[RunwayModel]

👎

Take test late enough that residencies won't see the score, walk in cold, get exact same score you got on step I, enjoy fourth year.

Seriously, if you study more than a week or two, you're just wasting your time.

Sorry. I know this sounds like a bad attitude.... but I'm just of the belief that standardized test scores don't necessarily make you a good doctor.

The problem with this attitude is that unless you did SPECTACULAR on Step 1, you may need to make up for it by a stellar Step 2 score. It seems like Board scores are the ticket to fame, or at least get your foot in the door. I think this is really sad because the USMLE is not really a knowledge based test but a test in test-taking strategy and doesn't necessarily result in good doctors. Just my 2 cents.

 

[southerndoc]

I agree, don't study. Just make sure you take it AFTER residency interviews.

I didn't study, but took it early. Step I: 246. Step II: 216. OUCH.

 

[puffy1]

I plan on taking Step 2 a month into my 4th year. I was satisfied with my Step 1 score, and I just don't feel like procrastinating and waiting to take the test. I figure if I give myself a good 2-3 weeks of preparation, knowing I've just studied for peds my last month of 3rd year, that it will be sufficient time to review stuff I forgot in psych/ob/surgery/medicine.

 

[Zevidah]

Well, I am going to study and have about 3 weeks at the beginning of 4th year to do it.

So, anway. For those who do think its worth it to study, what did you do to prepare? First Aid and questions? Clerkship by clerkship? Thanks...

 

[ajl102]

I think I might try to hit Kaplan's QBank and maybe some of their review books if I can find them up for resale. Probably some of the MKSAP stuff. And any other question sets I can find time for, referring to the review books for supplemental info on subjects in which I prove to be weak.

I am debating taking Step 2 in time to have it included in my residency applications, giving myself 4 weeks in July to study. Did well on Step 1, but thought I could boost my year 3 grades. At my school, these were based mostly on performance on shelf exams, which as I understand are like outtakes from Step 2.

I know that the common wisdom is that Step 2 is usually used for redemption of a lackluster Step 1 score. Since it is supposedly a measure of 3rd year knowledge, it seems more logical to take the test to offset nonexemplary 3rd year grades. Do residencies not recognize Step 2 as a recap of the 3rd year shelves?

 

[musicman1991]

although most clerkship grades are a function of shelf exam scores most programs still think it's about how hard you work in the clinics. Clinic grades = Step 1 which are both >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> than Step 2 IMHO

 

[dchristismi]

I agree, don't study. Just make sure you take it AFTER residency interviews.

Heh, well, we're required to take the thing by the end of September. Stupid policy. (And that other bleeping CS test by December, but don't get me started on that.) 😡

I'm planning a combo of Board & Wards, Secrets, and some Appleton & Lange questions. July 21 is the big day. That's what, 10 weeks? I've thought about reading, but not seriously.

I figure that even though I skimmed the national average on step I, I could do better, so I planned a light July rotation to try to prep a little. We'll see.

 

[JKP]

Just a couple questions...

1) so when does Step II have to be completed by for it to count for getting interviews?

2) how would taking time off to study interefere with sub-I's and away electives in July/Aug/Sept?

😴 Thanx!!

 

[southerndoc]

Even if your school allows you to take it at the last minute, some schools do require you to pass it in order to graduate. Imagine if you took it 3 months before graduation, failed, and then couldn't retake it in time to finish school. Now that would hurt!

Nevertheless, taking it in December, you should get your results back end of January/beginning of February, and you should be out of the interviews. The residency programs might call you for your scores though. Oh wait, you said you had to have a passing score by December. Guess that means you are taking it earlier. Sorry!

 

[scootad.]

exactly how long does it take to get your scores back,

If I take it at the very end of November/very early December, is that enough of a cushion.

do residency programs really call you for your scores? that seems a bit far fetched. everything i heard says Step 2 dont matter to them.

 

[Zevidah]

Hmmm, I don't know what you folks are talking about. We're expected to take step 2 (an actual "policy"? I dunno.) early 4th year. I was told taking the test before Dec 31st should be ebough time to make sure it gets to residency directors, and from where I sit, that's a good thing. I am pretty sure res dir's require the score to hire you since it is a requirment of licensing. Yes, they will call you for it. Why wait to take it?

 

[ajl102]

although most clerkship grades are a function of shelf exam scores most programs still think it's about how hard you work in the clinics.

A moment to rail against the status quo.

If true, this is backwards. In my school, the shelf grade limits the course grade, regardless of your clinical performance. Working hard and spending longer hours on the floor is a detriment to course performance. Students who leave the floor as soon as possible, expend the least energy on floorwork and patient management, disappear during the day to study - these students have a clear advantage on the shelf exams, and distort the curve. Hard work on the floors on the other hand will possibly score you some positive, quotable evaluations.

Hopefully programs see the letter grades and evaluations for what they are: separate and largely opposing assessments of two very separate and opposing efforts on the part of the students... It seems like other medschools' grading systems might place emphasis differently, and residencies might not always be well informed on these differences.


Anyone else have any info on how residencies look at 3rd year grades and Step 2? Given musicman's comments, I might just as well wait till after sending my applications to take the test. I feel pretty confident I could do well, but there is always a certain risk.

 

[southerndoc]

Anyone else have any info on how residencies look at 3rd year grades and Step 2? Given musicman's comments, I might just as well wait till after sending my applications to take the test. I feel pretty confident I could do well, but there is always a certain risk.

Comments are valued and PD's don't just look at the numbers. (I'm sure this varies by specialty... I applied EM.)

Be careful with your psych grade. Many students blow off that rotation, but I had two PD's tell us during our group orientation (prior to interviews) that they value psychology comments highly because it generally reflects how well of a person you are. (Not sure I agree with that, but glad I did well in psych! Although I'm still amazed I wasn't committed during that rotation. )