working and step 1

[drartale]

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Hello all guys!
Let's assume you work as a full time resident and you want to study and pass step 1 with a high score,how many hours you would study and how many months would it take if you are studying and working your residency?
thank you a lot for your advice

😕

 

[doc05]

this is not possible. you must take step 1 and step 2 before you enter residency. step 3 doesn't matter so long as you pass.

 

[theodore]

I think he means that he IS a full time resident in Italy and wants to pursue a carreer in the States.
I don t have a personal experience, but from a couple of people that i know, it took them much more time for step 1 than for step 2, which is kind of logical. And i m not saying how many weeks or months, because this depends on many factors, like how well you want to do on it, your personal schedule and how much you have retained in your mind from the basic sciences. However, since you HAVE to do well REGARDLESS of what field you re going to join, the golden rule is to take it when you re ready.

 

[drartale]

thanx for your advice theodore! anyway I have First Aid and there are a lot of resource on it,but what books do you consider the best to study for step 1?

 

[theodore]

First of all, i d like to tell you that i marginally passed step1, so don t take everything I say for granted. That being said, since you are already a doc, I think it would be an overkill to start studying theory from the scratch, and this would multiply your studying time at least by two. Anyway, about 70% of the questions in step are in clinical vignette form,so you are probably already familiar with that. I would tell you to read through first aid until you know it(and can apply it) inside out, and do many questions, so you get familiar with the exam. I had something like 15 question books, but the best sources were the NMS review for step 1, the appleton-lange review for step 1 and the Kaplan qbank.
Given that your situation is a bit special, maybe you should also find someone around you that was in the same position with you.
I took step1 while being a 5th year med student, and hard though it was, i m sure it will be harder for a full time resident.
Good luck.

 

[Vandomselaar]

If I were you (full Dr. from Italy) I'd start with step 2 that is 100% based on clinical cases (more familiar with your experience) and of course it's much more easy than step 1. If you were a 3rd year student you wouldn't have any other option more than go through step 1. But you have the chance to change the order. I took step 2 (229) and after that step 1 (218). The best first step to start something it is a good step.
For step 2 Crush and questions. For step 1 Kaplan Notes, First aid, Micro made ridic simple and questions.
I need to tell you that I finished my residency before I started studying for those tests and sit my ass to study 12 hs per day
I hope it helps.
Good luck