Taking Step 1 and 2 back to back after an 8 week dedicated for both? 1-year preclinical

[Latteandaprayer]

I am an M2 at a 1 year preclinical program. We are given two 4-week “break” blocks intended for Step studying. Historically people took both at the same time to get an 8 week dedicated for Step 1. Now that it’s P/F, I’m not entirely sure how to do this.

I’ll be finishing up my core rotations in September. Then I get a 2 week summer break, followed by 2 weeks of a course called “transition to third year” which is somewhat involved but not super. Then I can take the time off for dedicated.

Would it be a bad idea to take both blocks off, take Step 1 in November and then Step 2 in December 2023? I would use the summer break and transition to third year weeks as additional study time for Step 1, though not as intensely as the actual dedicated time. It seems a bit too overwhelming… plus given the fact that Step 2 is very important now but I still don’t want to fail Step 1 obviously.

I’m worried that I’ll forget shelf material if I wait too long for Step 2. Plus if I delay Step 2, I’ll have to do at least 1 sub-I which won’t give me an easy rotation to combine with the 4 weeks off.

Shelf exams have been ok for me, honored most of the ones I’ve taken so far (still have peds and surgery though)

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[Angler]

Would it be a bad idea to take both blocks off, take Step 1 in November and then Step 2 in December 2023? I would use the summer break and transition to third year weeks as additional study time for Step 1, though not as intensely as the actual dedicated time. It seems a bit too overwhelming… plus given the fact that Step 2 is very important now but I still don’t want to fail Step 1 obviously

Here is another strategy that is done at a one-year-preclinical school. Does seem a bit strange but it might work

Incoming MS1: New Curriculum Step 1 & 2 Advice Needed

I'm an incoming MS1 at a medical school that has a relatively new 1-year preclinical followed by rotations in the second year, leaving the 3rd & 4th years for research, electives, capstone projects, etc. I recently learned that I will have to take both Step 1 & 2 during our 3 month dedicated...

forums.studentdoctor.net

 

[Esmolol]

Assuming your school is a traditional 4-year program... WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU GUYS DOING IN YOUR MS3???!?!?!?

 

[Kierkegaard's Bud]

Assuming your school is a traditional 4-year program... WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU GUYS DOING IN YOUR MS3???!?!?!?

Sub-I, Step 1&2.
Lots of research.