What is a desirable dedicated study period for STEP 1? Comparing schools

[SchwiftyMD]

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So I'm deciding between some programs and am wondering what a "good"/desirable dedicated study period is for STEP 1. Or, should this not even be a factor in my decision?

 

[965978]

Are you sure you don’t want to consider more important factors? Location? Tuition? P/F grading? Whether the school is in a place with a good NFL team (Goodbye Duke lol, jk)?

 

[SchwiftyMD]

Are you sure you don’t want to consider more important factors? Location? Tuition? P/F grading? Whether the school is in a place with a good NFL team (Goodbye Duke lol, jk)?

Hey. Yeah I've considered those factors. I'm just trying to get into more nitty gritty aspects

 

[OchemOficionado]

So I'm deciding between some programs and am wondering what a "good"/desirable dedicated study period is for STEP 1. Or, should this not even be a factor in my decision?

I think it's fair to consider this. I interviewed at a school that has employed only a 2 week dedicated study period and are just now deciding to extend it to 6 weeks based on student feedback. Not sure if I would cross the school off of my list due to this, but I do think it's smart to consider as many factors as possible.

 

[SchwiftyMD]

I think it's fair to consider this. I interviewed at a school that has employed only a 2 week dedicated study period and are just now deciding to extend it to 6 weeks based on student feedback. Not sure if I would cross the school off of my list due to this, but I do think it's smart to consider as many factors as possible.

Thanks for your response. How many weeks would you say is adequate, at minimum?

 

[OchemOficionado]

Thanks for your response. How many weeks would you say is adequate, at minimum?

Oh, I have no idea, sorry.

I have heard some students say 3 months, but I think it's likely based on the indivdual. Someone also said that after a certain period, it has been "proven" that there is no benefit to studying longer. I do agree though that 2 weeks is cutting it close only because the student I spoke with was saying that they were studying for step while they were studying for their courses and had to schedule their Step exam within the two weeks, so they didn't even get the whole two weeks.

 

[ThrowawayShmoaway]

I think 3 months is too long of an estimate. I've heard that for dedicated, 4-6 weeks is actually the sweet spot, and that longer than 6 weeks has diminishing returns for most students. 2 weeks definitely sounds too short.

 

[jurisburger]

I'd say 6-8 weeks. Another factor might be whether or not the school is on a 1.5 year vs 2 year preclinical schedule.

 

[longhaul3]

I'd say anything between 4-8 weeks is fine, although there will be some students who struggle with just 4 weeks.

I think taking Step 1 after rotations is a huge advantage, though, no matter how long the dedicated period is.

 

[965978]

All ya’ll taking about step 1 schedules and I’m here just like...

 

[The Knife & Gun Club]

I’d say 8 weeks is ideal.

Our school gave us 6, which I thought was cutting it close. With 8 weeks you can get a solid 6 weeks of studying in then take 10-14 day vacation before M3, which is desperately needed for mental health.

I did 5 weeks of studying then took a week off - which wasn’t quite enough dedicated or quite enough vacation IMO.

I think over 8 weeks you start to get diminishing returns and eat elective and vacation time from the clinical years, which is crappy.

The promise of 10 weeks elective and 16 weeks vacation during 4th year is the only thing keeping me going these days.