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On a weekly basis I get a great deal of questions from people regarding a variety of aspects of test preparation; which of the courses is best for their situation, how many flash-cards a day they should do, if there is a magic number of questions, and recently most commonly – “what should I do after the exam is over?” It seems like an easy question with an even easier answer, but unfortunately what happens is many test takers develop more anxiety after the test than before the exam. In fact, half of the test takers I spoke to said those 3 weeks are far worse than the 3 weeks leading up to the exam. Yes, I agree that waiting is difficult when you consider the exam you take is quite literally the number 1 or number 2 criteria programs use to filter you out of an interview. It makes you start wondering if you read Master the Boards USMLE® Step 2 CK enough or if you should have watched those Step 1 High Yield Videos again. But all that anxiety can actually hurt you, and there are numerous things you can do to help make those 3 weeks easier.
1. Rule of 7 – this rule applies if you are an IMG who is between Steps. The rule of 7 was created as a means of giving you a break. It states “after the completion of one step exam, you should at minimum take 7 days off” in which you do nothing remotely related to USMLE® preparation. Jumping from Step 1 directly into Step 2 or from 2 to 3 is a big jump. You need time to relax, take a few deep breaths and adjust to the change in material. You can always take more than 7 days of course, but make sure you time it out with a Med Advisor to make sure you make the ERAS application for your anticipated match cycle.
2. Friends Family Food – Now that the exam is over you can get back to spending time with those friends you have ignored, apologize to the family members whose weddings, engagements, sweet sixteens, quinceaneras, bridal showers, baby showers, and dinner parties you missed. Lastly, you can take time to enjoy foods that you didn’t before the exam – the kinds that made you lethargic. So if you have a massive Mexican food craving, go out and satisfy it. Were there restaurants you were waiting for? Go out and enjoy that gustatory splendor.
3. Set a Start Date – During your minimum 7 days off, you should set a date in your calendar and circle it so there is a hard stop to your break. Once that date comes about, start studying for the next step regardless of whether it is CK, CS or Step 3. Sticking to dates and scheduling is one of the top ways to score high and get the residency you want.
4. Smile – You just took a very difficult exam, and if you did everything you were supposed to then take solace in the fact that hard work never goes unanswered. Enjoy that you passed this large obstacle and remain positive. When the envelope arrives take a nice deep breath before you open it.
5. Reward Yourself – You know that Amazon wishlist? Well go for it and reward yourself with something to mark the occasion. You deserve it. I know someone who bought all the USMLE® Flashcards, but a slightly more fun example is I know someone who got an autographed Halo video game helmet after his Step 2. Now who could that be?
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All of the opinions expressed here are the author’s and his alone, and do not represent necessarily those of Kaplan or its employees.
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