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Step 2 CK Study Plan


It's about that time to start studying and taking Step 2 CK. I'm sharing this only to help with your study plan. I did very well on this exam and part of it was because I had recently finished my Internal Medicine shelf exam and I forced myself to study like crazy for that shelf exam. Part of it was dedication and a well planned study plan. Lastly, part of it was knowing the day after Step 2 CK I would be on a plane to Italy (all of those posts here). Resources are listed at the bottom, but I mainly used my 3rd year clerkship books (that post here).

I gave myself 18 days of dedicated study time. I then wrote down the "big goals" for those 18 days.

1. Go through all of the UWORLD questions. I divided all of the UWORLD questions between the 18 days I had and I took notes on the questions I missed just like I did for Step 1. I spent around 4 hrs a day doing UWorld, so plan accordingly.

2. Go through Pestanas Surgery Notes 3 times

3. Go through Peds Notes (my notes I made based on this book) 3 times

*** I decided to share my Pediatric Study notes for you to print HERE

4. Go through OBGYN Med Ed notes 2 to 3 times (Or notes based on this book)

5. Go through Step Up to Medicine Twice (highlighted items only the second time)

6. Go through First Aid for Psychiatry Twice

7. Take two practice exams

Day 1:

Read all of Peds notes

UW Questions (took me about 4 hours each day)

Day 2:

Read all of Pestanas

UW questions

Day 3:

Read OBGYN Med Ed Notes

UW questions

Review UW question Notes

Day 4, and 5

Read 1/3 of the StepUp to Medicine Book

UW questions

Day 6:

Read last 1/3 of StepUp to Medicine Book

Skim Peds notes

UW Questions

Day 7:

Read Pestanas Notes Book

UW Questions

Review UW question notes

Day 8:

Review OBGYN Notes

UW Questions

Day 9:

Wake up Early and take a Practice Exam

(Psych notes if possible)

Still did UWorld Qs (the practice exam is only 1/2 of the exam anyway)

Day 10, 11, 12:

Read 1/3 StepUp to Medicine

UW Questions

Review UW question notes (divided amongst the 3 days because the notes are getting longer)

Day 13:

Read Pestanas Quickly

UW Questions

Review all UW question notes again and highlighted material you are weak in

Day 14:

Wake up early and take a Practice Exam

In the afternoon skim Pediatric notes and Psych notes

UW Questions

Day 15:

Read OBGYN notes and First Aid for Psychiatry Rotation

UW Questions

Day 16:

Review all UW notes

UW questions

Day 17:

Skim UW notes, especially new notations made

UW Questions

Study weak areas or highlighted sections AND/OR

Read Master the Boards

Day 18:

UW Questions

UW notes review AND/OR

Review weak areas or highlighted sections AND/OR

Read Master the Boards

Day 19 was Test Day for me!

Books used:

Hope you find this helpful as you plan out your schedule for taking Step 2 CK!

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