USMLE Back to the USMLEs After a Long Gap; Where to Start?

[AgentRaiden88]

Hello SDNers,

I was forced to take a long sabbatical due to a parent's death and ensuing personal challenges. While I did manage to finish all basic sciences and clinical coursework for my MD, however, I did not graduate officially and my USMLE Step 1 score expires this summer due to the ECFMG Certification rule to finish all USMLE exams within seven years after the day of the first one; yes, my Step 1 was a while ago..

Given my improved financial and personal circumstances, I am finally able to graduate this fall. I am planning on doing both the Step 1 and Step 2 CK sometime between November 2017-May 2018. However, I am preparing for a school exam that mirrors the Step 2 CK scheduled in August 2017 and would like to start now due to the arduous catch-up I will need to do to re-consolidate my entire medical learning. Considering the long time spent away from clinical contact, I feel hazy on my grasp of most key concepts and feel quite puzzled on a good point to start.

My questions are:

- What Step 2 CK resources or study plan would you suggest for someone coming back to medicine after a sabbatical of 2-3 years?

- In what order would you suggest I take the Steps? The most logical way as I see it is to do the Step 2 first, followed by Step 1 shortly after, say about 3 months of intervening gap. Do you share the same opinion?

I understand that I have a long path ahead, nonetheless, coming back to medicine feels like coming home in many ways and I am committed to shine. Due to this gap, I think that it will be particularly important to aim for scores above 240.

Any help is appreciated! THANK YOU!

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[durus0]

Hmm kinda hard to tell you what to do. Don't start with uworld. You would just waste this excellent source at this time. Take 15-20 days to read mtb2 and watch alle onlinemeded videos. These vids will definitetly help you refresh your memory. Then start uworld, do cms, all uwsa and nbmes.

 

[Entadus]

if at all possible, don't retake Step 1. Even in the last 7 years, the averages have creeped up, and the volume of info is enormous. Expect to need at least 3 months just for step 1

 

[bobbyd79]

Hello SDNers,

I was forced to take a long sabbatical due to a parent's death and ensuing personal challenges. While I did manage to finish all basic sciences and clinical coursework for my MD, however, I did not graduate officially and my USMLE Step 1 score expires this summer due to the ECFMG Certification rule to finish all USMLE exams within seven years after the day of the first one; yes, my Step 1 was a while ago..

Given my improved financial and personal circumstances, I am finally able to graduate this fall. I am planning on doing both the Step 1 and Step 2 CK sometime between November 2017-May 2018. However, I am preparing for a school exam that mirrors the Step 2 CK scheduled in August 2017 and would like to start now due to the arduous catch-up I will need to do to re-consolidate my entire medical learning. Considering the long time spent away from clinical contact, I feel hazy on my grasp of most key concepts and feel quite puzzled on a good point to start.

My questions are:

- What Step 2 CK resources or study plan would you suggest for someone coming back to medicine after a sabbatical of 2-3 years?

- In what order would you suggest I take the Steps? The most logical way as I see it is to do the Step 2 first, followed by Step 1 shortly after, say about 3 months of intervening gap. Do you share the same opinion?

I understand that I have a long path ahead, nonetheless, coming back to medicine feels like coming home in many ways and I am committed to shine. Due to this gap, I think that it will be particularly important to aim for scores above 240.

Any help is appreciated! THANK YOU!