Jefferson Medical College Alpha Omega Alpha Guide to USMLE Step II: Clinical Knowledge

Planning a Schedule

The schedule for Step II CK preparation varies significantly (more so than with Step I preparation), and depends on several factors including:

• Test taking ability (think back to how long you studied for Step I compared with other students)
• Concurrent rotation requirements and hours per day that you will be able to devote to studying
• Goals for the exam (passing versus achieving a fantastic score).

Another important factor to consider is how much time has passed since certain clerkship rotations, and therefore, how much time you will need to refresh your memory. Overall, study time usually ranges from 1-4 weeks. Most students feel that two to three weeks is sufficient time to prepare for this exam. Unlike Step I, most students dedicate half days rather than full days when studying.

Students may choose to take Step II during Vacation when they are interviewing, but be careful in scheduling a date since you do not want Step II CK to conflict with a potential interview. Other students take it during the IDPT rotation. It would not be a good idea to schedule Step II CK during an intense rotation like a Medicine Sub-I.

Students who wish to truly ace the exam, or who have difficulty with standardized tests, often will study four weeks or more for Step II CK and many will significantly outperform their Step I score. Others who just want to pass, and who recently finished highly relevant core clerkships, such as internal medicine, might find one to two weeks to be satisfactory. It depends on how comfortable you feel with the material and whether or not your scores will make a difference for your application to residency.

Start by doing what's necessary, then what's possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.
Francis of Assisi

Last updated: March 2010