Studying for step 2

[heyyjai]

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Hi, so I just got my step 1 score back and I didn't do very well (220). I'm still not sure what I want to do for a specialty yet but considering EM or IM. And I know for EM it will be a uphill battle from here and for IM, it be difficult for more competitive residencies. Therefore I figure I should probably take Step 2 early in order to redeem myself.

So I was wondering if any of you guys have had this experience and would like to share what you did in order to improve on your step 2. Since I need to take it early, I figure it might be best to study at least a little throughout my 3rd year in order to prep myself.

Also if you have a opinion on my current standing for getting into EM or IM residencies, that be great as well.

And lastly, I know theirs a million threads out there for this type of topic, I would really appreciate it if you guys can link me to them as well. Thanks a lot for any sincere response to come.

 

[link2swim06]

Hi, so I just got my step 1 score back and I didn't do very well (220). I'm still not sure what I want to do for a specialty yet but considering EM or IM. And I know for EM it will be a uphill battle from here and for IM, it be difficult for more competitive residencies. Therefore I figure I should probably take Step 2 early in order to redeem myself.

So I was wondering if any of you guys have had this experience and would like to share what you did in order to improve on your step 2. Since I need to take it early, I figure it might be best to study at least a little throughout my 3rd year in order to prep myself.

Also if you have a opinion on my current standing for getting into EM or IM residencies, that be great as well.

And lastly, I know theirs a million threads out there for this type of topic, I would really appreciate it if you guys can link me to them as well. Thanks a lot for any sincere response to come.

Please look at charting outcomes.http://www.nrmp.org/data/chartingoutcomes2011.pdf

Remember average people don't post their scores on SDN. The average score isn't 250.

Study hard for the shelf exams in each rotation. This is includes reading about your patients, reading a review books, and doing questions.

 

[umx]

A recent poster in the UWorld/Step II score correlation thread shared their experience of going from low 200s on step 1 to 250s on step 2: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=14222192&postcount=4460

There are plenty more success stories that you can find in that thread if you do some digging. Good luck!

 

[inep]

Hi, so I just got my step 1 score back and I didn't do very well (220). I'm still not sure what I want to do for a specialty yet but considering EM or IM. And I know for EM it will be a uphill battle from here and for IM, it be difficult for more competitive residencies.

Oh for heaven's sake. 220 is a fine step 1 score, and you stand a decent chance at matching in every single specialty if you decide early and do what's required to be competitive. I wouldn't let that score influence one bit what specialty you apply for. If you had a 189, that would be different, but a 220 is FINE.

For step 2 success, buy a year long UW subscription, and do a half block every day throughout third year, adding material from clerkships as you complete them and review with a second pass and read through MTB and step 2 secrets a few weeks before the test.