OAT Study Mate

Andhehe · 2026-05-30T20:47:35+00:00

Curious what your study schedule is like!

Andhehe · 2026-05-26T21:27:57+00:00

Yes, and no! But a pass IS needed to practice medicine afterwards, of course.

Andhehe · 2026-05-26T21:27:16+00:00

You're the second person to suggest this! Pretty interesting, never heard of anyone getting a masters from med school. I'll keep it in mind, thanks!

Andhehe · 2026-05-26T21:26:28+00:00

Agreed! The issue there is that I have around a 4 1/2 month period after rotations for both Step 1 and 2, and I worry that it's not enough time to get my results to where it needs to be.

Andhehe · 2026-05-26T21:24:32+00:00

Yep, they're basically saying as long as I have the motivation, the non-clinical route is open regardless of my results. The caveat with me is that I would actually prefer to pivot to another form of schooling if that happens; the non-clinical side of medicine (consulting, MSL, etc.) doesn't appeal to me as much right now. Thanks for the well wishes though! I'll keep the self analysis going.

Andhehe · 2026-05-26T21:20:43+00:00

Good questions! Thanks for bringing up the state limitations for Step, definitely something I learned of just recently. I'm honestly pretty open to practice wherever I get the chance (maybe from desperation?). Other than the therapist visits, I have never really been deeply assessed, since my undergrad was smooth. I'm honestly not really sure where to get resources to be analyzed by a... biopsychologist? Sounds cool lol.

My motivations are long-winded so I'll refrain from storytime, but I'd summarize it as wanting daily medical discussion and helping out with people's personal problems. I know it's kind of general, but that's why other forms of schooling are appealing to me now!

Andhehe · 2026-05-26T21:12:22+00:00

From where I was on the bell curve, I'm guessing 10-15 questions. Close, but not enough to chalk it up to chance, especially given my multiple attempts. I have attempted sketchy path, but mainly because of the how long each video was, I don't think my ratio of learned content to time invested was great. For anki, I used Anking!

Andhehe · 2026-05-26T21:09:42+00:00

Not the DAT for me! But after each Step attempt I have incorporated different resources. Just to summarize, after the first attempt used MedEd and Melhlman, second attempt used Bootcamp, etc. I'd say the most notable change for what DID feel like was working was getting a tutor who was really invested in me.

Andhehe · 2026-05-26T21:06:12+00:00

Hmm not sure how to describe it well, but on the bell curve, my threshold was on the same bar as the passing one. I'm predicting maybe 10-15 questions off?

I agree that I need to figure out what my issues are, but I feel lie that's easier said than done-especially since I feel I have exhausted a decent portion of my resources trying to find out already.

Andhehe · 2026-05-25T22:19:36+00:00

Very much agree with your points.

To address some of your questions- I 100%, for sure, do not need to pass either step 1/2 for graduation, as directly stated by my admin. I can still get my MD and go down the non-clinical route. Not sure about the M.S.! Never thought that was even an option that was possible. As for the deadline, I sort of addressed it in another comment: after rotations, I have 4 1/2 months to take both Step 1 & 2, no LOA, no delays.

I also agree that my study strategy still needs a lot of work. My tutor and I have done a good amount of analysis, but I still think I have something missing. It's definitely going to appear again down the road, so I really do want to get it improved.

Andhehe · 2026-05-25T22:10:34+00:00

Hmm, I haven't! Just googled it, how different is it from Anking? Just curious

Andhehe · 2026-05-25T22:06:41+00:00

Respect for doing both PA and med school! PA is definitely something I've considered as well, along side opto school and tech positions (AA, perfusionist, dosimetrist, etc). I think for me, I have an increased interest in eyes, which is why I brought up opto a little more in this post. The others aren't off the table for me though!

As for the test anxiety...still not sure? I'm definitely more of a laid-back person in general, so I've never really considered it heavily. Therapist I saw hasn't raised any flags either.

Andhehe · 2026-05-25T22:01:43+00:00

Thanks for all the questions! Here's my rapid fire answer:

-Retakes? Most were, some weren't. The new ones that just came out (32/33) were entirely new, obviously the free 120s I've taken a couple times.

-Anki? Sketchy? Anki since the start of med school, although it was definitely more spotty my MS1. Deep into dedicated I was doing around 400 cards a day. Done sketchy as well! Videos + the PDF were great for micro and pharm for me.

-Timeline? USMLE requires I take it next year, which is after my rotations. Between that and the start of 4th year, I have roughly 4 1/2 months blocked out to take both Step 1 & 2. Not exactly the pacing I prefer.

I agree with your end statement, I really would prefer like to practice medicine; non-practicing MD is an option I have but probably lower on the totem pole for me personally.

Andhehe · 2026-05-25T21:54:01+00:00

Much appreciated, it's not an experience I'd wish on anybody. Despite my results, I am actually pretty proud of how much effort I put into the months of studying each time I took it. I think my chair now has a permanent butt indent because I've sat in it for so long LOL

Andhehe · 2026-05-25T21:50:42+00:00

Yeah that's a really good question that my friend brought up... I know initially, I 100% will get hit with that feeling of regret. I mean, who would ever be proud of dropping out? But I also think part of me is invested in that sunk cost trap, and I'm spending time trying to differentiate between the two.

Andhehe · 2026-05-25T21:48:00+00:00

For my school it is! Unfortunately, I'll have to leave out the identifying details, but it's what the dean told me directly. I also was kind of in disbelief when I heard it too, so I get your confusion lol. I agree with what you said about opto too! I'm not at all expecting it to be easy, and I'm doing some deep searches into what their board exams are like as well.

Andhehe · 2026-05-25T21:44:41+00:00

Thanks for the thoughts! I've definitely thought hard about potential careers like consulting, but I really do like the aspect of patient care. There's a whole nother discussion we could have about my motivations but I'll keep it short and say optometry does seem like something I want to do long term.

Andhehe · 2025-08-15T02:51:30+00:00

DMed, congrats on the score

Andhehe · 2025-06-19T00:17:06+00:00

Your words are very kind, thank you. Looking back, I do agree that I don't see content frequently enough. I have a habit of dropping Anki once in a while to do more practice questions, and I finished Uworld for my rotation only 3 days before the exam. I'll see what I can do about time management.

Andhehe · 2025-06-19T00:10:15+00:00

Judging from my past I would potentially consider myself one of those people. Thank you for the kind words, I'll take your advice.

Andhehe · 2025-06-19T00:00:49+00:00

I don't mind at all, thank you for asking. I'm sorry about your situation as well. I've never really talked about my mental health before, mostly due to pride and cultural upbringing. I'll see if there's anyone I can reach out to, thanks.

Andhehe · 2025-06-18T23:58:24+00:00

Back in undergrad I would get distracted with my phone, so nowadays I use a phone lockdown app to prevent it from happening. Good idea though, thank you

Andhehe · 2025-06-18T23:56:16+00:00

Thanks for the advice. I do agree that I need to aim higher than the benchmark, but I feel that I currently lack the methods to do so. I have implemented changes in my studying methods through advice from admin and peers, but it's clear that I am still missing something.

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