To add context to this study resource: like other second years, I was a faithful UFAP (Uworld, First Aid, Pathoma) user during my 4 weeks of “dedicated prep” allowed by my school for Step 1. While I studied hard and got through UFAP once, I downloaded a less than stellar Step 1 score report (<210) from the NBME. With a low step 1, I knew that regardless of my specialty of choice, residency applications would be more difficult for me than for my peers who scored higher on Step 1 than I did.
Will An Improved Step 2 make up for a Poor Step 1 Score?
While the jury is still out on whether board exams are reliable predictors of one’s performance as a physician, previous research has shown that performance on Step 1 and Step 2 CK is one of the strongest predictors performance on Step 3. This is why residency program directors care so much about Step 1 scores despite their questionable relevance to resident performance. Improving on Step 2 CK by a significant margin helps demonstrate to program directors that you can perform well on standardized exams and Step 3 will be no exception. The most recent Program Director Survey from the NRMP also found Step 2 CK score to be a more important factor than Step 1 score for many specialties such as Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, and Psychiatry.
How to Improve on Step 2 From Step 1?
Unlike the seemingly tried and true UFAP, there was not a great deal of cohesive literature on how to tackle Step 2 CK. What I did identify was one major theme: less resources but more repetition and comprehensive review. Carefully selecting my resources and sticking to a study schedule helped me raise my Step 2 CK score 45+ points from my Step 1 (my CK score report here)
At the time of writing, I am a fourth year student who matched into my specialty and program of choice a few weeks ago. While my Step 1 was a hurdle I had to overcome when applying to residency, I am confident my improved Step 2 CK showed that I am a capable test taker.
To help others improve on CK, I wanted to share some of the research I did prior to my CK prep. To that end, I’ve adapted my study schedules for Step 2 CK and have written a guide on what resources to focus on during dedicated.
⇉ Other helpful resources
• Step 2 CK Study Guide
• Step 2 CS Study Guide
• Shelf Resources (by subject)
• Anki Settings Help for Shelf or Step Prep
• How to make Anki Cards Efficiently
The study resources featured on this blog such as the study schedules and Anki tips are free to use, as I know what it is like to be a student living on a fixed budget. To support this blog, please consider using the links above to make any Amazon purchases you may find yourself needing during your prep to support our blog. Step 2 CK Study guide is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.
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Note: Everything on this blog is for informational purposes only and reflects solely my individual views and opinions.
Step 2 Study Guide 