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The USMLE Step 2 CK examination takes a total of 9 hours. Aside from testing your knowledge, your ability to withstand fatigue will also be challenged. The best way to prepare for this is to practice. Taking a practice exam will give you an edge on the examination day itself, as you will be armed with a clear idea of how to handle the situation.

A USMLE Step 2 practice test will tell you which topics you have not yet mastered, and then encourage you to focus your studying on weak areas. In the same way, the test will let you know what your strong areas are. Hence, you can spend less study time on those topics and direct your learning to other areas. A practice test can help you reduce anxiety on the real test items and you will learn how to pace yourself and manage your time properly. Aside from measuring the extent of your knowledge, taking a practice test will also help reinforce learning—thereby increasing your chances of recalling the same information later on. It will also allow you to familiarize yourself with the style of questioning and decrease the uncertainty of the real test.

One of the best ways to review for the USMLE Step 2 examination and have the opportunity to take a beneficial practice test is to get yourself a tutor. The best USMLE tutor can provide you with a group or one-on-one sessions, depending on your preferences. You can also expect to be provided with high-yield notes that will cover almost everything you need to know in preparation for the exam. That way, you wouldn’t have to read too many books anymore. For convenience, look for a tutor who conducts online sessions that you can attend no matter where you are in the world, and yet provide you with a classroom-like experience.

The most efficient tutor will strengthen your concepts and help you learn them by heart. But of course, this will only be possible if you have access to a huge collection of slides, CT scans, X-rays, and MRI. It is also important for you to be regularly assessed through tests at the end of every chapter.

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All med students wishing to crossover as practicing doctors have to endure the Step 2 CK test—and many doctors agree that taking the test was among the most grueling 9 hours of their lives. The test, consisting of different sets of incredibly challenging examinations, is something that anyone wanting to professionally practice medicine in the US must pass. Step 2 CK is especially designed to help assess a med student’s capability to apply all scientific principles they have learned in practical clinical setting. The computer-based multiple choice examination lasts 9 hours and is taken over the course of a day.

Going into the Step 2 CK battlefield unarmed is the last thing you want if you aspire to practice professionally in the US. Knowing when the best time for you to take the examination is an important key to acing this assessment. Experts agree that the most ideal time for a medical student to tackle Step 2 CK is when you still have your clinical science principles fresh in the mind. They also recommend setting aside ample time to study properly. While Step 2 CK doesn’t require as much preparation as Step 1, it doesn’t mean you should forgo studying for the test altogether. The amount of time you may require to prepare usually varies depending on your testing goals, such as improving on your rather low USMLE Step 1 rating or applying for competitive specialties. In either case, you may need at least 2 to 3 months of study to increase your chances.

To help you prepare yourself for one of the biggest tests of your life, here are useful tips to consider:

·  Take prep courses. There numerous options for test prep courses available, ranging from med school-offered courses to private and even live online courses, all of which can help you do well in the exam. Prep courses and programs are specifically designed to help you work through the entire exam and provide you with useful advice on how to go about with studying.

·   Scout question banks. There are literally hundreds of practice questions and tests you will find online and you can take them in either a timed or untimed manner. These practice tests will help you gauge how well you’ll do during your actual exam.

·   Find a study guide that works. There are also general prep books that you can turn to, to help you achieve your study goals as the time for your USMLE Step 2 CK test nears.

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