USMLE Step 2 materials and advice

[ragsharm]

I am about to start my fourth year and seeing as how I did not do well on my USMLE step 1, I need to nail Step 2.

I think with step 1 I ran short on study time/rushed it/burned out a little bit near the end of the year.

This time I have about 6 weeks or so to prepare for Step 2 at the beginning of my 4th year. It was recommended to me to use FALCON review. I was wondering what people had to say for FALCON review vs. using First aid and USMLE WORLD (UW)?? please offer other sources and ideas.

[DHT]

I don't know anything about the FALCON review, but it seems that UWorld+Secrets +/- First Aid is the gold standard for Step 2 studying, including those who want to score 260+.

I plan on using those 3 things. Then depending on how time permits I may add Step Up to medicine and the Pestana Surgery review notes. My number 1 priority is to finish UWorld and that should be yours too.

[aka665]

I have a quick question. I scored around the national average for ortho match on the Step 1, but the average score for the people who matched from my school was a 255 (I think 13 or 14 ppl matched last year). Therefore, it really makes me want to take the Step 2 between 3rd and 4th year so that I can pad my resume a bit so I can match up against some of my classmates.

[LaxAttack]

That is not a question.

[aka665]

Question:

Is that a good idea?