When is the best time to write usmle step 1?

Most us medical students write there exams around 2 months after graduating year 2 of medical school. As of 2011, assuming that most medicals students are released around mid-may (may 15 for most schools) this would equate to most students writing around mid July. As approximately 95% of these students pass the step 1, these students are those that bring most averages up on the step.

IMGS (international medical graduates) since they graduate at various times of the year can write the usmle step 1 whenever they want. However, the best time is to write when the other US medical graduates have not graduated yet. This equates to dates between September and till mid may.

Hence if u are an img and plan on taking the step soon.. do it before mid may when all the us medical students graduate. You will have a better chance of passing the step 1 even if u arent as prepared as u would like to be!

Hopes this helps..