Thoughts on a ℅ 2023 student doing a research year + taking Step 1 P/F and graduating with ℅ 2024?

[subdermallight]

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I've a got research year lined up in a formal program, and I'm currently studying to take Step 1 at the end of the summer before I start my research year. It's very tempting to just.. let Step 1 go and focus on my current research project (doing this project before my formal program- it was my original idea and my mentor is amazing). I just don't want it to hurt me to have a P/F (like maybe appearing like I couldn't do Step 1). At least everyone else will have P/F at that point.

So, my preclinical grades sucked.. but my school says they are true pass/fail. That said, I think they still might give a cumulative tier in the Dean's Letter combining preclinical and rotation grades. That's the main thing pushing me to take Step 1.. basically prove to the Deans that I'm competent for the letter (I would guess I'm ~25 percentile overall for preclinical grades), and giving me a buffer to PDs in case they doubt my preclinical performance (and I can't know for sure what kind of info they will get from my school).

If I choose to continue studying for Step 1, we're looking at about 230-235 if things go well. I've already studied 4 months straight (was able to get extended dedicated) and have learned a good amount of the stuff I missed during preclinicals. Started at 184, probably at a 210-215 right now and have 1.5 months left to study if I choose to take it.

 

[efle]

I've already studied 4 months straight

at a 210-215 right now

Do the research gig and take it P/F. Absolutely nobody is going to care when you apply along side a bunch of other P/F students

 

[Lucca]

take It p/f this exam is dumb and 100% not worth the effort to get a higher score if you can just defer without having any logistical issues with your program. The climb from 215 to 230+ is steeper than 180-215 and so on and so on.

 

[subdermallight]

Do the research gig and take it P/F. Absolutely nobody is going to care when you apply along side a bunch of other P/F students

take It p/f this exam is dumb and 100% not worth the effort to get a higher score if you can just defer without having any logistical issues with your program. The climb from 215 to 230+ is steeper than 180-215 and so on and so on.

Wow, appreciate the response from you two SDN heavy weights, thank you.

One follow up question on this. I totally guessed on the 210-215 as it's been 3mo since my last NBME (192 NBME 18). Let's say I take a new NBME now. How high would that score have to be to change your opinion to: take the 1.5mo to study and take Step 1 for a score.

Or would you just not recommend taking the 1.5mo regardless, either take it now with a good score or for P/F later.

 

[AzBasRad]

Wow, appreciate the response from you two SDN heavy weights, thank you.

One follow up question on this. I totally guessed on the 210-215 as it's been 3mo since my last NBME (192 NBME 18). Let's say I take a new NBME now. How high would that score have to be to change your opinion to: "Nvm, take the 1.5mo to study and take Step 1 for a score".

Step 1 scores/cutoffs are primarily used as a filter. If virtually every other student in your application cohort has P/F report, it doesn't make sense for programs to filter by quantitative Step 1 scores. Thus, you lose the advantage of having a great score. On the flip side, you potentially hamper your application by taking the test now and scoring poorly.

Thus, your best bet is to take Step 1 P/F and knock Step 2 CK out of the park.

 

[efle]

Wow, appreciate the response from you two SDN heavy weights, thank you.

One follow up question on this. I totally guessed on the 210-215 as it's been 3mo since my last NBME (192 NBME 18). Let's say I take a new NBME now. How high would that score have to be to change your opinion to: take the 1.5mo to study and take Step 1 for a score.

Or would you just not recommend taking the 1.5mo regardless, either take it now with a good score or for P/F later.

When both exams were scored, people with a strong Step 1 were often advised to push Step 2 CK off until past ERAS because the second score could only hurt them.

I think the same logic applies here in reverse. Step 2 CK is going to be the big determinant of interviews when you apply. Having an average Step 1 also visible won't help, and having a bad score can hurt. It's all risk, no reward. And if you came out of preclinicals with a 190 on the easier practice form, I think the risk is significant.

 

[subdermallight]

Can't thank you all enough 🙌