study time for step 1

[drj2b]

hello everyone, just wondering how long people took to study for usmle step 1. i have been hearing 3-4 months. does that mean that after completing basic sciences, people take 1 semester off to study?

[rdecastro]

hello everyone, just wondering how long people took to study for usmle step 1. i have been hearing 3-4 months. does that mean that after completing basic sciences, people take 1 semester off to study?

2 months for step 1, 2 weeks for step 2, and for step three, bring a number 2 pencil

[classic]

Well, it depends. Some people take a couple of months off (especially if they start in the January class and are Canadians that have to wait to start rotations the spring after they graduate). Most people take 4-6 weeks to prepare, but others take step 1 a week after they graduate. The clinical rotation coordiantor came to speak to the first semester students yesterday and told us that it's recommended that we don't waste time and write the exam ASAP (of course if you are ready to :) ).
My plan is to possibly stay on the island a 1-2 weeks after graduation, then go home and take it no longer than a week after I'm back in the states.

Oh fifth semester seems like such a long time from now. I wish I were graduating this Tuesday with the 5th termers.