Which of these Residency Program Directors are correct?

[mymembernames]

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In regards to taking time off to study more for Step 1 such as a LOA or research year which of these PDs is more correct? (two very short videos below)

 

[Psai]

You should only need 5-6 weeks

 

[eteshoe]

A yr is a bit excessive and one would just reach a point of diminishing returns. 1-2 months should be sufficient.

 

[mvenus929]

The only reason you should take more time to study is if something catastrophic happens during your study time--a parent dies, you get into an accident, etc. You should not willy-nilly take additional time to study. Residency programs want you to pass step 3 and the boards, because that's the only way you will become a practicing physician. If you need a year to study for step 1 and still don't do fantastically, that lowers the chance that you'll be able to pass Step 3 and the boards during or just after residency when you don't have the freedom of several months of dedicated study time.

 

[OnePunchBiopsy]

If you are choosing between taking "X" weeks off verses "Y" weeks off, go with the lesser number.

 

[Law2Doc]

You need to account for any gaps in your education. Taking extra time off for the steps beyond the usual 6-8 week summer after 2nd year that everyone else does looks bad without another better explanation. And of course if you taken time off AND you do poorly you've dug yourself a bigger hole.

 

[mymembernames]

Thanks all! So studying more than 6-8 weeks = a lower score in general?

 

[DokterMom]

Thanks all! So studying more thank 6-8 weeks = a lower score in general?

That's NOT what was said.

What WAS said:

• You should not NEED more than 5-8 weeks to study.
• De-railing the normal time frame for any reason (except death in immediate family) looks bad and raises flags.
• Taking extra time (for any reason) raises the stakes (you took extra time) so doing less-than-fabulously looks even worse

 

[Handinhand]

Burn out is a real thing when studying for Step 1 -- I fully believe that I did worse on Step 1 than what I would have had I taken it 1-2 weeks sooner.

It's almost impossible to know when you're going to peak; however, I would say 8 weeks is the absolute MAX for how much time you should be taking. I took 7 weeks and in hindsight wish I could have stopped at 5.5.

 

[Jlaw]

Don't take time off or a LOA unless you have extenuating circumstances- medical problem, death in the family, etc. Most schools give you at least a month or two with limited requirements in order to take the test, this combined with studying during second year should be sufficient. You definitely have diminishing returns in step studying- burnout and your own natural test taking ability will dictate how high you can score. The student who scores 210 after 2 months of solid studying is probably not going to score 240+ if given 2 more months.

 

[HelpPleaseMD]

agree with above. just take the damn thing and move on with your life. there is only so much studying you can do before it becomes a waste of time. you could better spend your effort perusing other things

 

[Petypet]

I disagree with some of the previous posters regarding time of studying, but I do agree taking a LOA is unnecessary. 5-8 weeks of dedicated time is plenty, but I would use non-dedicated time to start prepping. I studied for 5-6 months with only 6 weeks dedicated and hammering step 1 has made a huge difference in my career. Do what you think you need to do to hammer the most important test in your life.

 

[intheworkings]

Friend of mine did a research year to bring his score up by 25 points. He was glad he did it. YMMV.


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[mymembernames]

Thanks all! I think I'm gonna give it my all for the next 6-8 weeks. If I'm not happy with my score and think there is still room to improve at least 20-30 points, then I will take the research year in hopes of kicking my score up.

 

[BigRedBeta]

Thanks all! I think I'm gonna give it my all for the next 6-8 weeks. If I'm not happy with my score and think there is still room to improve at least 20-30 points, then I will take the research year in hopes of kicking my score up.

If you pass any Step exam, you are not allowed to retake the exam. You're done.

http://www.usmle.org/frequently-asked-questions/

The USMLE doesn't care what your score is, as their mission is to provide data to the licensing agencies that you have sufficient education to practice medicine. It purpose is to promote a minimum standard. The use of Step 1 scores for residency decisions is technically a bastardization of those scores and as many people will tell you, step 1 score does not equate to the quality of physician you will be.

So do enough work to reach close to your ceiling, realize that additional weeks of study will yield diminishing returns, and once you're done, be grateful you don't have to ever take that exam again.

 

[mymembernames]

If you pass any Step exam, you are not allowed to retake the exam. You're done.

http://www.usmle.org/frequently-asked-questions/

The USMLE doesn't care what your score is, as their mission is to provide data to the licensing agencies that you have sufficient education to practice medicine. It purpose is to promote a minimum standard. The use of Step 1 scores for residency decisions is technically a bastardization of those scores and as many people will tell you, step 1 score does not equate to the quality of physician you will be.

So do enough work to reach close to your ceiling, realize that additional weeks of study will yield diminishing returns, and once you're done, be grateful you don't have to ever take that exam again.

I meant not happy with my practice exam scores...