Taking Step 1 & 2 back to back

[rand0mw0rds]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hi guys,

I just wanted to get some feedback for the situation I'm in. I'm a US medical student finishing up my third year (technically I'm a fourth year now). I'm studying to take my Step 1 right now. I was scheduled to take it at the end of second year, before third year began, but I had some personal things happen, so I wasn't able to study and didn't end up taking it (my school is aware of this). Anyways, my exam is scheduled for the end of July right now and I'm currently studying for it.

My school gives us optional vacation months during fourth year, which most students use to study for Step 2. I wanted to get some feedback as to whether it would be a good idea to take off the month right after I take my Step 1 (maybe a week of break in between), and start studying for Step 2. I'm concerned about putting off my Step 2, since most people in my year are studying for step 2 right now, not step 1. Or should I take step 1, schedule a month of rotation, and then take the next month off to study for step 2 (I would be taking the exam late Sept).

Is there any advantage in taking the two in close proximity to each other? Would step 1 help for Step 2? I know a lot of foreign medical students do this, so I'm guessing it's do-able. Or do you think the risk of burnout is too great, and I should schedule my study month later?

I know this isn't an ideal situation, but this is the situation I'm in now, so I have to make up a game plan for the future. Any insight is appreciated!

Thanks

 

[Goro]

No.

Would step 1 help for Step 2? I know a lot of foreign medical students do this, so I'm guessing it's do-able.

Yes.
Or do you think the risk of burnout is too great, and I should schedule my study month later?

I know this isn't an ideal situation, but this is the situation I'm in now, so I have to make up a game plan for the future. Any insight is appreciated!

 

[Affiche]

No.

Would step 1 help for Step 2? I know a lot of foreign medical students do this, so I'm guessing it's do-able.

Yes.
Or do you think the risk of burnout is too great, and I should schedule my study month later?

I know this isn't an ideal situation, but this is the situation I'm in now, so I have to make up a game plan for the future. Any insight is appreciated!

Thanks

@Goro we need to work on your quotes, man.

 

[Bancrofti]

Have a friend at a US school where pre-clinical is only 1.5 years and taking both Step 1 and 2 back to back after third year is the norm. If you studied throughout third year, I don't think it's a big deal and people do it every year, so there's the confirmation you're looking for.

I would personally hate having to study for both back to back. I'm studying for CK right now and I can barely stay glued to my seat to review 5 Uworld questions before I find myself aimlessly walking around and zoned out. Couldn't imagine studying for 2+ straight months for 2 different tests back to back.

 

[WilliamofOckham]

Which specialty are you pursuing? One that wants to see a Step 2 score?

Not yet having taken a Step exam, it would be difficult for you to imagine the degree of no damns given when you walk out of the Prometric center after Step 1 or 2. Even on Step 1 - the exam upon which one's field of practice can actually depend - by the time I was at the end of my second-to-last block, I just didn't care anymore. I was bored, sick of looking at the screen, and operating at about 75% capacity. When you walk away from the exam, you will not want to look at UWorld or any book for weeks.

 

[rand0mw0rds]

I'm interested in pediatrics, so step 2 is important from what I understand.

I understand how difficult it is studying for such a long period of time. I got pretty far when studying for step 1 the first time, and took practice tests, so I know towards the end, you just want to get it over with. I'm just concerned with pushing step 2 off, doing enough peds rotations before I apply, and making sure I have strong LORs, especially if I'll be taking two months off at the beginning of fourth year. I kind of just want to get these over with so I can look forward to auditioning, and doing rotations.