Passing the Step 1 ???

[kabeer2]

hey,

I am just curious to find out when can I take my USMLE STEP 1??

Can I take it right after my fifth semester(within 2-3 days) and start my psychiatry clinicals?

OR I cant go forward till I take and pass it which pretty much means I will not be able to Match for 2011??

Thx

Kabbi

[JeebusLives]

i hear they give you trouble if you try to take it too quickly, like within a day or two. i think they like to make you wait 2-3 weeks, hopefully to review stuff. it sounds a little stupid tho, especially since were fresh off kaplan when were coming off the island. who knows maybe the person who told me this is a moron.

[darkmansaad]

its complicated, but i know of at least one, maybe two or three this last semester that wrote Step 1 within a week or so of getting home. You do face certain hurdles with paperwork and signatures but if you are determined to take it and your kaplan diagnostic you take at the beginning of 5th semester along with your Saba grades say you have a good chance of passing the Dean will sign off on you. It is a little stressful to go through all the hurdles but its your life. Personally, Im taking 4-5 weeks however.

[kabeer2]

Thx for your replies.

Kabbi

[Samsonlxa926]

Depending on your GPA and your Kaplan scores, they make recommendations on when you should take the exam. If you have a high GPA and score well on the Kaplan exams, they will recommend you take the exam soon after you leave the island. If you have a low GPA and are not doing well on the Kaplan exams, they will recommend you take the 2-3 months allowed and study (they will also recommend a review course). Just don't take the exam until you feel comfortable. Everyone wants to take the exam quick so they can get it over with and get started on clinicals, but you don't want to do poorly. Most people in my semester took 6 weeks and didn't regret it at all. Good luck.