When to take Step 1

[dr.wieners]

Hey guys,

I have looked at a few recent threads and have done some searches but wasn't quite sure about the info I found.
I am finishing up 1st year and am trying to have a game plan for step studying as I am interested in EM.

When is the best time to take Step 1 to have the maximum amount of (good) studying time but still have a score to apply for audition rotations with?

Thanks!
(sorry if that has been answered already recently)

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[Chibucks15]

Summer after second year. When the majority of us take it.

Don’t worry about boards yet young grasshopper enjoy your last summer of freedom

 

[dr.wieners]

Summer after second year. When the majority of us take it.

Don’t worry about boards yet young grasshopper enjoy your last summer of freedom

I am a current first year, getting ready to start my second year, that is why I am asking.

I am aware of when most people take the COMLEX, I am just wondering if taking USMLE a couple months after, right after, or during/before rotations to maximize studying time is best.

 

[Chibucks15]

I am a current first year, getting ready to start my second year, that is why I am asking.

I am aware of when most people take the COMLEX, I am just wondering if taking USMLE a couple months after, right after, or during/before rotations to maximize studying time is best.

This process is a grind and they’re 95% the same. The rule of thumb is to take 4 days prior to comlex. That way you study for USMLE then cram OMM for a few days

 

[InternistDO]

Spend second year studying for Step 1 (UFAP, sketchy, B&B, etc), take it in your 2nd year dedicated, study OMM for a few days, take COMLEX 1.


Any other technique is asking for trouble. Don't forget you have to spend 3rd year studying for Step and Level 2 + the COMATs.

 

[Ho0v-man]

~3-5 days before comlex.

The idea of taking it in 3rd year works for some, but I couldn’t do it personally. You have a standardized test called a shelf exam at the end of every rotation you have to grind for. The best analogy I can come up with for that is that studying for step on top of rotations would be like studying for the mcat during first semester of med school.

 

[hungrydoc710]

I am a current first year, getting ready to start my second year, that is why I am asking.

I am aware of when most people take the COMLEX, I am just wondering if taking USMLE a couple months after, right after, or during/before rotations to maximize studying time is best.

My boy took it 2 weeks after COMLEX - rocked a 249 on it.
ENT residency is on his mind.

 

[ortnakas]

I am a current first year, getting ready to start my second year, that is why I am asking.

I am aware of when most people take the COMLEX, I am just wondering if taking USMLE a couple months after, right after, or during/before rotations to maximize studying time is best.

Usually USMLE then COMLEX 3-7 days later. I know a few people who did it the other way around and it worked for them; I know others for whom it backfired. You just don’t know in advance how much time you’ll be able to dedicate to Step 1 while on rotations, especially since you have shelf exams to study for as well.

 

[SLC]

I took USMLE a week before COMLEX. It worked well. But the week dragged on and after 2 days I just wanted to get COMLEX over with.

Study USMLE materials, if you can get/share/borrow a subscription to COMBANK just to get into the swing of COMLEX style of question writing then fine. But definitely prep like you’re main exam is the USMLE (because if you’re taking it, it needs to be).

 

[NotYou20]

3 to 5 days before comlex. You should study for one exam during second year, step 1. Uworld, pathoma, boards and beyond are your best friends. Maybe Kaplan or rx. Anki if you struggle to remember things or struggle to review consistently. These will help you in classes too. Do not use combank, comquest or any other comlex oriented resources. They are poor products and a waste of your time. Comlex only exists after you take step1. Cram omm then. Take a second comsae if you really want to get used to reading through garbage question after garbage question so you can practice not bashing your head in frustration. Have fun!!!

 

[getfat]

I'm gonna give a different perspective here. Any other posters please feel free to comment.

Its gonna depend on what your first NBME score looks like. Your first NBME should be taken at the beginning of dedicated (or when you finished every system, if like me you don't get board dedicated time).

If you are bottom 50% of your class, you've utilized all the outside resources (sketchy, FA, pathoma) and you are still are not clearing 180. DONT TAKE IT. Focus on COMLEX.

If you haven't utilized the outside resources and getting b/w 180-200. Register for USMLE but don't set an appointment with prometric for a specific test date.. You can Set your COMLEX test date. Preferably before your ACLS or end of "dedicated you get". Dont register for a specific prometric date until you have atleast a 200 NBME. Once you get a "passing" score. Register a specific prometric test date. Preferably within 2 weeks. This will depend on where you live. You may need to travel but a couple of my classmates did this and it worked out very well for them.

If you've utilized outside resources and scored over 200 before "dedicated", just register for your Step 1 no more than 1 week before COMLEX. I am by far not the smartest person in my class but more than 3 days is overkill for OMM specific items. Plus you start to hemorrage information after you finally take Step 1.

 

[drducky.]

I see you guys recommend focusing on step 1 then cramming OMM. Is that because step 1 is much harder/more inclusive than COMLEX and prepping for step makes COMLEX seem like a joke? Or is it just because step 1 score matters much more?

 

[sunshinefl]

I see you guys recommend focusing on step 1 then cramming OMM. Is that because step 1 is much harder/more inclusive than COMLEX and prepping for step makes COMLEX seem like a joke? Or is it just because step 1 score matters much more?

To me it’s because you don’t want to waste time studying something not on a test before that test, and everything else overlaps. So prepare for step/both, take step, cram omm, take comlex a couple days later.

 

[hungrydoc710]

To me it’s because you don’t want to waste time studying something not on a test before that test, and everything else overlaps. So prepare for step/both, take step, cram omm, take comlex a couple days later.

Couple days later to go thru Savarese in full?!

 

[Spectreman]

Couple days later to go thru Savarese in full?!

If you have good OMM professors you seriously don’t need to do all of Sav.