Taking USMLE Step 1 with Step 2CK After Rotations

1357 Views
Traditionally, the USMLE Step 1 exam has been taken after the first 2 years of medical school. In the past, taking this exam marked the transition from preclinical years to the wards. Then, after finishing the core clerkships, students would take the USMLE Step 2CK exam. Although this is still the structure in the majority of medical schools, there has been a wave of change and restructuring of medical school curriculum that is enabling some students to take Step 1 after clinical rotations. Such students typically take USMLE Step 1 either simultaneously or back-to-back with Step 2CK.
Interestingly, this approach may gain more popularity as a direct effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, with limited availability at Prometric sites due to social distancing restrictions and a back-log of previously cancelled test dates. Since students may not have much of a choice but to further postpone their Step 1 date in order to start clinical rotations on time, many medical students are finding themselves asking about the pros and cons of taking Step 1 and Step 2CK within a short time frame– as well as how to set up a study schedule. As such, here is our opinion based off our work with students who have chosen this testing option.
Pros of Taking USMLE Step 1 with Step 2CK:
– Higher Step 1 scores: On average, schools have noticed that their student’s Step 1 scores are higher when the test was taken after clinical rotations
Related Articles
Read More– Enhanced understanding: Students’ understanding of Step 1 material is strengthened after being able to see related topics in real life on the wards. Treating patients with certain diagnoses and ordering specific medications will allow students to become more familiar with the terminology that will inevitably be on their Step 1 exam.
– Ability to freely explore career options: Students often feel limited by their Step 1 score when entering clinical rotations; they close the doors on specific “competitive” specialties without even giving them a chance. By taking Step 1 after clinical rotations, students will be able to openly explore different specialties and feel less restraint.
Cons of Taking USMLE Step 1 with Step 2CK:
– Less time to explore residency options: Although Step 1 isn’t the most important part of your application, it is arguably the most important exam you’ll take in medical school. Thus, the score does play a role in what specialty and residency programs a student should consider applying to. If students don’t get their score until the summer, this leaves less room for exploring the specialty that the student may ultimately want to pursue. Applications for away rotations can be submitted in early Spring, so if students are not sure what their scores or what specialty they want to pursue, this can also complicate their away rotation plans.
– Needing to re-learn basic science coursework: Although students will get more exposure to clinical medicine, which will be invaluable when studying for Step 1, they will also inevitably start to forget some biochem, pharmacokinetics, and other Step 1 subjects. Students will essentially have to re-learn this material when their Step 1 study period comes around.
–Needing to map out your test dates in advance: Students may not know how many weeks they’d like to dedicate to studying for each exam, but they will have to make a ballpark estimate so that they can secure test dates in Prometric for both exams.
How to Study for Step 2CK:
It’s important to remember that dedicated study time is required for each USMLE exam. USMLE Step 1 includes more basic science content whereas Step 2CK includes more clinical content. There is definitely a lot of overlap between the two (which is very helpful), but each exam has distinct differences. Due to these differences, it is important that students set aside ample time to study for each exam, either simultaneously or sequentially.
The length of time students should take to study for each exam is very individualized and depends on different factors. These factors include the students’ score goals, the progress they’ve made in their studying, and their level of comfort with the material. In terms of a study plan, as mentioned previously, there are two main options: studying for both exams simultaneously (~6-10 weeks), or studying for them sequentially. If students chose the latter, a suggestion is to study for Step 1 first for a minimum of 4-6 weeks, take a much needed, although preferably short break, and then spend another 2-4 weeks to study for Step 2CK. Studying for the exams sequentially can facilitate going through the UWorld quest banks for each exam, which is the gold standard resource for both exams. Although taking Step 1 first seems to be the more popular option, USMLE does allow students to take Step 2CK prior to taking Step 1 if that is the preference.
Regardless of when you take your USMLE Step 1 or Step 2CK exam, it’s important to keep in mind that there is no “cookie cutter” approach. If you’d like to speak with one of our tutors to discuss an individualized study plan based on your specific score goal and career aspirations, please don’t hesitate to reach out–we are happy to help!
Need additional
help with your exam?
Enter your info to hear from a member of our team and discuss if 1-on-1 tutoring is right for you.
About the Author
Alexandra R., MD
After completing her coursework a semester early in December of 2013, Alexandra Rzepecki officially graduated with the University of Michigan Class of 2014 with Summa…
Read MoreNever Miss an Article!
Sign up to our newsletter and get the best of Elite Medical Prep, tailored for you.
Featured Articles
Elite Medical Prep
5 More New NBME Practice Exams Are Coming
Elite Medical Prep
Everything About UWorld’s ABFM QBank
Elite Medical Prep
Dealing With Test Anxiety During Medical School
Elite Medical Prep
5 Biggest Mistakes Students Make While Studying for USMLE Step 1
Elite Medical Prep
How To Triage Studying for ABSITE and USMLE Step 3
Elite Medical Prep
5 Things IMGs Can Do to Improve Their Chances of US Residency Matching
Elite Medical Prep
Should I Aim High or Just Pass USMLE Step 1 in 2021
Elite Medical Prep
A Complete Guide to Getting Through the UWorld QBank Twice
Elite Medical Prep
Elite Medical Prep Co-Founder Receives COVID-19 Vaccine
Elite Medical Prep
What to Do the Day Before Your USMLE Step 1 Exam
Elite Medical Prep
Why Basic Sciences Are Still Important During Preclinical Studies
Elite Medical Prep
COMLEX Level 1 to Become Pass/Fail!
Elite Medical Prep
Common ABSITE Question Types You’ll Encounter on the Exam
Elite Medical Prep
How I Used My UWorld Subscription for MS1 and MS2
Elite Medical Prep
Options for a Low ABSITE Score
Elite Medical Prep
How to Study for USMLE Step 2CS
Elite Medical Prep
2020 USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK Score Percentiles
Elite Medical Prep
How to Simultaneously Study for Step 2 CK and Your Shelf Exams
Elite Medical Prep
5 Things US IMGs Should Know When Applying to Residency
Elite Medical Prep
Questions You Should Ask Your Prospective Residency Programs
Elite Medical Prep
How to Create an ABSITE Study Schedule
Elite Medical Prep
A Quick User’s Guide to Pathoma for USMLE Step 1
Elite Medical Prep
How to Write a Personal Statement Hook
Elite Medical Prep
When is it Time to Get a USMLE Step 1 or Step 2 Tutor?
Elite Medical Prep
UWorld in 30 Days: Making the Most out of UWorld’s Most Basic Subscription
Elite Medical Prep
Here’s How Residency Programs Rank Applicants
Elite Medical Prep
The Ins and Outs of Virtual Residency Application Season
Elite Medical Prep
How to Use the AAMC Residency Explorer Tool
Elite Medical Prep
Residency Matching: How to Cancel an Interview the Right Way
Elite Medical Prep
A Quick PSA on Post Residency Interview Communication
Elite Medical Prep
So You Want to Be a Neurologist
Elite Medical Prep
An Interview with NBME Free 120 Explanation Guru: Ben White
Elite Medical Prep
5 Effective Study Tips to Help You Prepare for COMLEX Level 1
Elite Medical Prep
What to Look For in a Residency Program
Elite Medical Prep
USMLE Step 1 Practice Question Types
Elite Medical Prep
When to Start Studying for USMLE Step 1
Elite Medical Prep
5 Most Productive Study Tips for USMLE Step 1
Elite Medical Prep
Why Spaced Repetition is SO Important for USMLE Studies?
Elite Medical Prep
Taking USMLE Step 1 with Step 2CK After Rotations
Elite Medical Prep
How to Study for COMLEX Level 2-CE
Elite Medical Prep
My Experience Taking the USMLE during COVID-19
Elite Medical Prep
Most Common Reasons for Failing USMLE Step 1
Elite Medical Prep
USMLE Step 2CS is Cancelled
Elite Medical Prep
How to Manage USMLE Step 1 Test Anxiety
Elite Medical Prep
When to Start UWorld for USMLE Step 1
Elite Medical Prep
How to Best Use First Aid to Study for USMLE Step 1
Elite Medical Prep
NBME Updates: Free Assessments & Explanations
Elite Medical Prep
Without Active Learning, You Could Fail USMLE Step 1
Elite Medical Prep
Elite Medical Prep Founder Delivers Grand Rounds at University of Hawaii
Elite Medical Prep
How to Painlessly Prepare for USMLE Step 3 & COMLEX Level 3
Elite Medical Prep
Medical School Closed Due to Coronavirus? Remote Learning Tips
Elite Medical Prep
Everything Changed – COVID-19 From a 1st Year Resident’s View
Elite Medical Prep
Pushing Back your USMLE Test Date Without Losing Knowledge
Elite Medical Prep
What COVID-19 Means for Medical Students
Elite Medical Prep
ALL United States Prometric Testing Centers CLOSED
Elite Medical Prep
How to Study for Internal Medicine Boards
Elite Medical Prep
How USMLE Step 1 Going Pass/Fail Will Affect Medical School Curricula
Elite Medical Prep
How USMLE Step 1 Going Pass/Fail Will Affect DO students
Elite Medical Prep
How USMLE Step 1 Going Pass/Fail Will Affect IMGs
Elite Medical Prep
USMLE Step 1 to Become Pass/Fail
Elite Medical Prep
COMLEX Level 1 to USMLE Step 1 Predictor
Elite Medical Prep
The Worst Mistakes Students Make With First Aid for USMLE Step 1
Elite Medical Prep
Best COMLEX Level 2-CE Study Resources
Elite Medical Prep
Essential Tips for Excelling on the ABIM Certification Exam
Elite Medical Prep
Best COMLEX Level 1 Study Resources
Elite Medical Prep
How to Score 260 on USMLE Step 1
Elite Medical Prep
5 Tips on Studying for Step 3
Elite Medical Prep
Best Ways to Study for Step 2CK
Elite Medical Prep
COMLEX Level 1 Exam Blueprint and the AOA ACGME Merger
Elite Medical Prep
How to Score a 280 on USMLE Step 2 CK
Elite Medical Prep
UWorld vs. TrueLearn
Elite Medical Prep
How to Study for USMLE Step 1 During MS2
Elite Medical Prep
Matching Into Orthopaedic Surgery Residency
Elite Medical Prep
Matching into Thoracic Surgery Residency
Elite Medical Prep
How to Match into OB/GYN Residency
Elite Medical Prep
What You Need to Match into a Vascular Surgery Residency Program
Elite Medical Prep
What You Need to Match Into MED/PEDS for Residency
Elite Medical Prep
Acceptance Factors for Matching into Internal Medicine Residency
Elite Medical Prep
Acceptance Factors for Matching into Plastic Surgery Residency
Elite Medical Prep
What You Need to Match into ENT for Residency
Elite Medical Prep
Acceptance Factors for Matching into Pediatrics Residency
Elite Medical Prep
Acceptance Factors for Matching into Radiology for Residency
Elite Medical Prep
Acceptance Factors for Matching into a Neurology Residency
Elite Medical Prep
What You Need to Match into Emergency Medicine for Residency
Elite Medical Prep
What You Need to Match into Psychiatry for Residency
Elite Medical Prep
Acceptance Factors for Matching into a Transitional Year (TY) Residency
Elite Medical Prep
What You Need to Match into Family Medicine for Residency
Elite Medical Prep
Acceptance Factors for Matching into Dermatology for Residency
Elite Medical Prep
Acceptance Factors for Matching into Anesthesia for Residency
Elite Medical Prep
Will I Match into My Residency Specialty of Choice?
Elite Medical Prep
Scheduling Residency Interviews
Elite Medical Prep
Studying for USMLE Step 1 During MS1
Elite Medical Prep
Saving Money on Residency Applications
Elite Medical Prep
Preparing for Your Residency Interview
Elite Medical Prep
The Elite Medical Prep Anki Biochem Deck
Elite Medical Prep
Journey to Orthopedics Residency- Interviews
Elite Medical Prep
The Case for USMLE QBanks- Why They Work
Elite Medical Prep
Failing USMLE Step 1: What to Do
Elite Medical Prep
Residency Applications: How to Write Your Personal Statement
Elite Medical Prep
How to Write the MSPE
Elite Medical Prep
Your 10 Week USMLE Step 1 Study Schedule
Elite Medical Prep
Applying Into Pathology Residency
Elite Medical Prep
How to Score Above 270 on USMLE Step 1
Elite Medical Prep
Applying to ENT Residency
Elite Medical Prep
How to Make Your Residency Rank List
Elite Medical Prep
Entering Week 3 at Mount Sinai Medical School
Elite Medical Prep
Elite Medical Prep Course at Mount Sinai
Elite Medical Prep
How Many Residency Programs & Where to Apply
Elite Medical Prep
Using Flashcards for USMLE Study
Elite Medical Prep
Using Brosencephalon Effectively for USMLE Studying
Elite Medical Prep
6 Tips on Using Anki USMLE Flashcards
Elite Medical Prep
Let’s Talk NBMEs! Free Webinar Sunday, March 31st @3pm EST/noon PST
Elite Medical Prep
Takeaways You Can Expect From the New NBME Forms
Elite Medical Prep