taking step 2 without all core rotations and taking a year off btw m3 and m4

[chitown82]

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i have a bit of a unique situation and any suggestions would be great. im taking a year off to do research starting this summer (between m3 and m4 years). i also will have not completed all my core rotations before my year off (still have psych to do). i was wondering if it is a good idea to wait to do psych before taking step 2. i know each test varies in the content but is it possible to learn psych well enough for step 2 before doing the rotation? the other option is to wait until after my research year to take step 2 but obviously i will be pretty fresh from all my other core rotations this year. step 1: 243/99 so i dont want to go down on that...

 

[SpiritiualDuck]

You don't need to have taken psychiatry to do well on the boards. You need to know how to define things and what are the differences between things like Schizophreniform disorder vs Schizophrenia.

Know your need to know your meds. You need to know your normal development from abnormal development. Read psychiatry blueprints.

The step 2 is not that bad. You'll do well if you read. I wouldn't have known the difference from Bipolar Type 1, Type 2, and Cyclothymia by being on the floors. In fact, every day we debated axis 1 diagnoses, some would say "Oh, he's schizophrenic, or he has schizoaffective disorder." You simply need to learn the categories.

Also, know your personality disorders well.

 

[chitown82]

thanks for the advice. i will def read blueprints psych before taking step 2 (in addition to my regular studying)

You don't need to have taken psychiatry to do well on the boards. You need to know how to define things and what are the differences between things like Schizophreniform disorder vs Schizophrenia.

Know your need to know your meds. You need to know your normal development from abnormal development. Read psychiatry blueprints.

The step 2 is not that bad. You'll do well if you read. I wouldn't have known the difference from Bipolar Type 1, Type 2, and Cyclothymia by being on the floors. In fact, every day we debated axis 1 diagnoses, some would say "Oh, he's schizophrenic, or he has schizoaffective disorder." You simply need to learn the categories.

Also, know your personality disorders well.