What does it really take?

[uclabruin1]

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I am wondering what it really takes to do well on step 1? Does anyone find that you can not study super hard for your first two years of preclinical classes but study for the step1 and still do well? Or is it that those who study hard and get top grades in classes translate to the ones who are able to do really well on step1

 

[Law2Doc]

I am wondering what it really takes to do well on step 1? Does anyone find that you can not study super hard for your first two years of preclinical classes but study for the step1 and still do well? Or is it that those who study hard and get top grades in classes translate to the ones who are able to do really well on step1

You are best off if you study hard during the pre-clinical years (especially second year, since that info is highest yield). It is much easier to just be reviewing material you already know fairly well rather than to try and learn it in 5 weeks (or whatever time you allot). Thus many med school advisors will tell you that your second year grades are the best indicator for how you are going to do on the Step 1 exam. Doesn't mean you can't beat the odds, but it benefits you to do the leg work during your classes.

 

[Miami_med]

I'd say that atleast averageish scores in your classes, with some reflection of understanding the material, are probably going to be necessary for most people to do well on step I. Studying will only help you a lot in subjects that you atleast understood originally (even if you forgot). My board score breakdown followed my class grades instead of my study schedule. However, the whole thing rose by 30 points over my study month, so both are important.

 

[Roy7]

I am wondering what it really takes to do well on step 1? Does anyone find that you can not study super hard for your first two years of preclinical classes but study for the step1 and still do well? Or is it that those who study hard and get top grades in classes translate to the ones who are able to do really well on step1

Class is reallly important.

The cool thing everyone second year would say is "I'm failing class cuz Im' studying for step 1". Honestly, if you're failing you're not going to do well unless you're an exceptionally bright individual (read high MCAT). I doubt you'll find anyone anywhere w/a low MCAT score, bad first and second year grades and a stellar step 1.

The people taht do well on step 1 w/mediocre grades either come from extremely competitive med schools, or are very naturally bright individuals (generally decent/good mcats) that were lazy during the semester and able to haul ass before their exam.

 

[Medikit]

The people taht do well on step 1 w/mediocre grades either come from extremely competitive med schools, or are very naturally bright individuals (generally decent/good mcats) that were lazy during the semester and able to haul ass before their exam.

Another possibility is that the school exams tended to be very unUSMLE-like, focusing more on rote memorization than application.

 

[Roy7]

Another possibility is that the school exams tended to be very unUSMLE-like, focusing more on rote memorization than application.

Right, but those people that are far better at application and can figure out USMLE questions w/out knowing the details, fall into the "bright" category.

People at my school would routinely say 'our questions are too minutia oriented' and wouldnt learn the detail behind pathogenesis, and everyone assumed that on step one, where they give you "hints", they'd crush. Subsequently in class we missed the concepts all together, then failed step one. If I could do my past 2 years over, I would have just memorized the details and learned all lecture waaay better the first time through (I really slacked first year because "our questions are too detailed oriented compared to step 1").

 

[blz]

those detailed questions that you learned in class do show up on step 1 and they probably make the difference between the 250 and 260+ folks.

 

[joe6102]

I disagree. I was taught a ton of detail that I knew was never going to show up on step 1. I never went to class and studied on my own. I honored two classes that had questions with board-relevant material, and I was below average in 2 classes that didn't. In some instances, I didn't even read the class notes until a day or two before the exam. The way I figure it, the people who write board review materials are MUCH better at picking out the important info than your average med school lecturer. I would have broken 260 if not for a couple of dumb mistakes.

 

[UCLAstudent]

Definitely work hard during your preclinical years! I feel that this gave me a nice advantage going into the test --- for several questions, I had to refer to the knowledge based that was established through lectures/class notes. You won't be able to learn everything in the time that your school gives to study for Step 1.

 

[Roy7]

I disagree. I was taught a ton of detail that I knew was never going to show up on step 1. I never went to class and studied on my own. I honored two classes that had questions with board-relevant material, and I was below average in 2 classes that didn't. In some instances, I didn't even read the class notes until a day or two before the exam. The way I figure it, the people who write board review materials are MUCH better at picking out the important info than your average med school lecturer. I would have broken 260 if not for a couple of dumb mistakes.

That may have worked for you - but i'm sure some of your classmates that are near the top of the class still did well on step 1 while getting great lecture grades as well.

Dont get me wrong, you can not study for school and do well - but review books are simply that - review books - all of them are based on you having a knowledge of the subject matter at a deeper level than a few pages of costanzo.

I'm kinda touchy 'bout the subject because I'm pissed at whomever started the rumor in my school that "lecture isnt on the boards". He/She first made me not learn my weakest subjects nearly as well as I should have and mad half my classmates fail simply because instead of studying for lecture most of us were trying to review for boards.

 

[DoctorFunk]

I'm kinda touchy 'bout the subject because I'm pissed at whomever started the rumor in my school that "lecture isnt on the boards". He/She first made me not learn my weakest subjects nearly as well as I should have and mad half my classmates fail simply because instead of studying for lecture most of us were trying to review for boards.

This is just plain ridonkulous. If your class is that lemming-like I've got some great swampland I'm sure you'd be interested in buying.

 

[Roy7]

This is just plain ridonkulous. If your class is that lemming-like I've got some great swampland I'm sure you'd be interested in buying.

Okay fine I was the lemming, leave me alone.

 

[joe6102]

That may have worked for you - but i'm sure some of your classmates that are near the top of the class still did well on step 1 while getting great lecture grades as well.

Of course, but for those of us who are human, a 250 with 60th percentile grades is preferred over a 230 with 80th percentile grades.

Dont get me wrong, you can not study for school and do well - but review books are simply that - review books - all of them are based on you having a knowledge of the subject matter at a deeper level than a few pages of costanzo.

I'm kinda touchy 'bout the subject because I'm pissed at whomever started the rumor in my school that "lecture isnt on the boards". He/She first made me not learn my weakest subjects nearly as well as I should have and mad half my classmates fail simply because instead of studying for lecture most of us were trying to review for boards.

I disagree completely. Review books are getting bigger and bigger every year, almost to the point where they are comprehensive. Using those with a textbook for reference is the key to a great score.

Your system probably works well for you, and my system works well for me. The bottom line is that neither of us can generalize about all med schools or all med students, so everyone should decide for himself. I encourage students to keep an open mind about skipping class because I think it would benefit many who are too paranoid to try it.

 

[blz]

no one should go to class. i only went for one semester first year then never returned. best decision i ever made.

 

[Roy7]

no one should go to class. i only went for one semester first year then never returned. best decision i ever made.

I agree, I didnt mean to make the assertation that going to class is important, I meant more knowing class material as opposed to knowing only BRS. No professor can read to me faster than I can read to myself.

That being said, I definitely agree w/joe that what works for one person may not work for another and hopefully after 2 years everyone can find out.

 

[Pinkertinkle]

I agree, I didnt mean to make the assertation that going to class is important, I meant more knowing class material as opposed to knowing only BRS. No professor can read to me faster than I can read to myself.

That being said, I definitely agree w/joe that what works for one person may not work for another and hopefully after 2 years everyone can find out.

Class srsly sucks. Research + self board review = winnar!