Best time for UK medical students to take USMLE?

[cakelover]

Just wondering this rather basic question. Do most people take Step 1 at the end of year 2 or 3 of UK medical school? What about Step 2? I know that Step 3 is taken once qualified and in the US. Alternatively, what about those who didn't take any of them until later in their medical careers, how feasible is that to be working full-time and studying for stuff studied years ago?

How many of you have done this? How much extra work?

[BigC]

What the smeg is Step 1?

[cakelover]

The USMLE has three components. Step 1 is the first exam of the three,,

[sweetie-pie]

Dont know anyone taken step 1 that early, but there must be some. Most I know have taken step 1 along with finals revision, then step 2 in foundation programme at some point, others even later as you have to go back to basic science revision for first part of membership anyway, its all extra work.

[Jake]

My current house officer passed the USMLE last July and is starting a residency at the end of June. I asked her hows she managed it all and she took the Step 1 in October of her final year (we have a 2 week break end of august when she started revision and study) then took Step 2 sometime after christmas. Step 3 she took over in the US in July before commencing F1. She did well and passed first time in everything - the good thing about doing it in final year certainly for us is its great revision for finals.

Kind regards

[cakelover]

Cheers!