Anyone completed Step 1 + Step 2 in 2 years and matched? Need advice on study schedule, scoring high on Step 2, and research

Hey everyone,
I'm planning my USMLE timeline and aiming to clear Step 1 and Step 2 CK within a 2-year window, then move to the US. I'd love to learn from anyone who has successfully done this.
A few specific questions:

1. Prep Strategy: How did you pace yourself through the content? Did you study solo or take specific prep courses/mentorship?
2. Step 2 CK Score: What was your final score, and what made the biggest difference in pushing your score into the high range?
3. Research: How important was research in your profile, and how much time did you realistically spend getting published or completing projects?
   Thanks in advance for sharing your experiences!