I asked this in the step 1 forum, but nobody answered...
I am trying to figure out how many days I will need to study for step 1? I could do 34 days and have 1 entire week before rotations. I am NOT the type of person that crams well at the same time, who knows how much break time I will need before rotations to recover. Any suggestions? I have to register soon and really need some advice about this. What are other people doing or have done? Thanks!!🙂
Our school gave us guidelines on scheduling Step I. They were essentially:
- You must have a passing score on Step I before starting rotations the second week in August.
- In order to have a passing score report in the Deans office before starting third year rotations, you must take Step I by the third week in July (and not fail).
- You should allow a minimum of four weeks review for Step I if you have comfortably passed your preclinical coursework.
- If you have a paid summer fellowship that starts the summer before your third year, you must take and pass Step I before your fellowship starts.
I would add that you need to find one solid review source and stick with it. In addition, a question-resource such as USAWorld or Kaplan's Q-Bank can be quite useful. Do not use your question source for memorization but as a guide for what you need to review and how you are progressing. Remember, no score counts except the score on the real test so don't obsess about a particular score on your question resource.
You "review" for Step I and you "study and learn" for your coursework. Do not get these two things confused. Do not take valuable study and learning time away from your coursework to try to "study" for Step I. This will result is poor results on both.
My last piece of advice is to pick two dates for Step I. Make the earlier date your goal and have the second date as your back-up. Try your best to be ready by your first date but
if you feel strongly that you are not ready, don't take the test! Also, be prepared to feel that you are never 100% ready for this test. If you feel 100% ready for this test, you may be overconfident which, is not good either.
Set a review schedule that allows for the following:
- Review of every system.
- Check-off as you go along.
- Time for recreation and physical exercise
- Enough time that you don't feel rushed. Cramming is not a sound means to prepare for this test.
I was able to take Step I two and 1/2 weeks after my second-year courses were complete. I had thoroughly mastered every one of my pre-clinical courses and I didn't spend time trying to study for Step I before my coursework ended. I studied by system and didn't try to study by subject. This system worked well for me but every person is different.
