A semiconductor substrate having transistor structures and test structures with spacing between the transistor structures smaller than the spacing between the test structures is provided. A first iteratively performed deposition and etch process includes: depositing a first doped epitaxial layer having a first concentration of a dopant over the semiconductor substrate, and etching the first doped epitaxial layer. A second iteratively performed deposition and etch process includes: depositing a second doped epitaxial layer having a second concentration of the dopant higher than the first concentration over the semiconductor substrate, and etching the second doped epitaxial layer. The first concentration results in a first net growth rate over the transistor structures and the second concentration results in a lower, second net growth rate over the test structures than the transistor structures, resulting in reduced pattern loading.