Preparing for USMLE during intercalated year?

Hi everyone,

I’m currently a 3rd-year medical student considering intercalating next year, ideally in London.

I’m trying to get a realistic sense of:

Which intercalated degrees are less workload-intensive (or at least more flexible), particularly in London universities

How manageable intercalation is alongside USMLE Step 1 preparation

At the moment I’m weighing:

Reasonable contact hours

Manageable assessment load

Time flexibility for independent study

Good distinction rates / fair marking

For anyone who has:

Intercalated in London

Sat or prepared for USMLE during intercalation

Or compared different intercalated degrees in terms of workload

I’d really appreciate any honest insights (including what you wish you’d known beforehand).

Reply 1

dx7

you'd intercalate kinda any subject just to be in London prepping USMLE?

can DM me to chat private but a bit confused…

Reply 2

ErasistratusV

USMLE Step 1 needs doing as soon as possible after the pre-clinical years, certainly no later than the end of year 3 in my opinion.

Get the appropriate Anki deck and start hitting Uworld question banks regularly and I mean daily.