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Is it good to take the exam just after you finish basics?

1K views 5 replies 4 participants last post by  Mistake 
#1 ·
Hi! I'm a third year student finishing basics. I'll have a time between third and fourth year (between basics and clinics). It's about 5 months, I'm planning starting with an intensive english course in the U.S and then start with the USMLE's preparation.

I think maybe the clinical practice could help answering the step 1 questions. So I don't know if I should prepare in that time (I haven't started any USMLE prep) and take the exam or to start preparing, maybe in Kaplan (live lectures) and then continue by myself while I'm in clinics in my country and take the exam later (the question is when).

I don't know what to do, I just started reading and I want to take advantage of that "free" time. I'll appreciate your help. Happy-2
:redcheeks; And sorry if my writing isn't perfect, that's why I'm taking the course first.
 
#2 ·
Hi! I'm a third year student finishing basics. I'll have a time between third and fourth year (between basics and clinics). It's about 5 months, I'm planning starting with an intensive english course in the U.S and then start with the USMLE's preparation.

I think maybe the clinical practice could help answering the step 1 questions. So I don't know if I should prepare in that time (I haven't started any USMLE prep) and take the exam or to start preparing, maybe in Kaplan (live lectures) and then continue by myself while I'm in clinics in my country and take the exam later (the question is when).

I don't know what to do, I just started reading and I want to take advantage of that "free" time. I'll appreciate your help. Happy-2
:redcheeks; And sorry if my writing isn't perfect, that's why I'm taking the course first.
Take the Exammmm !!!! its possible in 5 months if you study 6-7 hrs a day and a day off in a week !! Have Faith!
 
#3 ·
Hi! I'm a third year student finishing basics. I'll have a time between third and fourth year (between basics and clinics). It's about 5 months, I'm planning starting with an intensive english course in the U.S and then start with the USMLE's preparation.

I think maybe the clinical practice could help answering the step 1 questions. So I don't know if I should prepare in that time (I haven't started any USMLE prep) and take the exam or to start preparing, maybe in Kaplan (live lectures) and then continue by myself while I'm in clinics in my country and take the exam later (the question is when).

I don't know what to do, I just started reading and I want to take advantage of that "free" time. I'll appreciate your help. Happy-2
:redcheeks; And sorry if my writing isn't perfect, that's why I'm taking the course first.
Hi , Alejandra , I´ve read your post and I´m actually in the same situation as you were , at the end , what did you decide to do ? did it work for you ? .At the moment , I´m a medical student and I will have 3 months of holidays during this summer , and I have 2 possibilities , take an english course to improve my english or to start to prepare myself for usmle step 1 .Do you have any advice according to your experience ?
 
#4 ·
Hi, I did the prep for about 5 months for me it wasn't enough.. I did an NBME at the end and got a 218 and it was impossible to continue studying at the same intensity. I didn't took the exam because I want a much better score.

I don't regret about it, because now my clinical clerkships are easier and I'm doing actually very well with my grades and building a stronger knowledge.

I had some disadvantages:
1) Pathology was very weak at my school, I knew about just the first 4 Robbins' chapters (general pathology, not a clue about leukemias or any neoplasia as an example). So I had to start practically from zero.
2) I didn't have any kind of clinical experience, not even about the physical exam, if you see the questions are based on clinical cases and include classic signs and symptoms of determined pathologies.

For me and my curriculum I think NOW it would be better to take the exam as a graduated physician. But it was my experience and it depends only of yourself and your curriculum.

Greetings! Let me know what you think.
 
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