harp1970
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 7
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Hello everyone:
I took the test last Saturday and it was completely different from what I expected. It is clear that the question are designed to make you lose time, confuse you, and at the end of the day, if you did not freak out, you will feel like you didn't pass (my case). Most of my pre-tests have been adequate to at least pass the test, but now I am not sure. Most questions are presented in a mixed way that includes several pathologies at the same time. Questions were some times so long that the 1:27sec that you have per question is not enough to even read it. I know that some people get "easy" tests and others get "very hard ones", and they are scored differently accordingly to the degree of difficulty. I hope this is the case, but right now I feel like I fail compared to my feeling after taking Step 1. For anyone taking the test in the near future, study more cases with several pathologies simultaneously. That is my best advise (and try to regulate extremely well the time!!!!)
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| harp1970
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 7
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By the way, I would like to hear from people who took step 2 already and how they felt after taking it and if they know anything about different degrees of difficulty when compared to colleagues... Thank you!!
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| nonstopdoc1
Forum Senior
Topics: 14
Posts: 196
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"I know that some people get "easy" tests and others get "very hard ones", and they are scored differently accordingly to the degree of difficulty. "
I think there is no difference in scoring. everybody is scored by the same system.NBME hasn't yet introduced adaptive testing.
though the number of and items that contribute to your score may differ from person to person
___________________
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No spring skips its turn.
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| harp1970
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 7
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It is not adaptive what I am referring to. But accordingly to Kaplan, to pass you need to answer between 55 and 65 % of the question to pass and this range depends on the degree of difficulty.... Is it true? Anyone knows?
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| doctorjha
Forum Senior
Topics: 13
Posts: 100
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Hi Harp,
Exam always goes like this but the final result will be good. I am sure you will do great!
I have my exam 2 weeks from now. Its a bit deterring to hear exam was much harder. I am also doing 65% in Kaplan's qbank and around 60% in USMLEWORLD. What level of qs you felt during the exam.
1. Would you say its harder than USMLEWORLD?
2. Too many pathologies - would you please provide me some examples?
3. What was the ratio of qs on ECGs and Radiology/Photos?
4. Is "next best step" still the keyword for step 2?
Thanks.... I will be waiting for the feedback.
Thanks again and believe me you will do great!!!
Praveen
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| harp1970
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 7
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Hi doctorjha,
Well, I hope I pass, but that is the only thing I can do now...hope. Kaplan questions... I was in the 70s..... CD from USMLE 82......
About your questions:
1- I didn't try USMLEWORD, but still for what I described to other people, it looks like the test is not more complicated from the analytical point of view but more time comsuming.
2- An example not from the test but similar... think of an old person that has hypertension, diabetes, hepatic failure and renal failure simultaneously, taking 5 medications and with a lot of labs... and gets complicated by pulmonary hypertension. The problem is not the complexity, but more the time required to properly analize a case like this. It felt to me that no analysis can be made due to lack of time, just a reflex to answer whatever comes first to your head.
3- You know, just one ECG and a couple of Xrays....
4- To be honest, I don't know.
If I could back time, I would try to control better my timing if possible, and study more complex cases, maybe from a internal medicine review for the boards. I heard there are books presenting cases like this. I will probably looking into it since if I don't pass I have to take it again, and if I pass I still have step 3 and CS to take care of. Good luck with your test!! I hope this helps you a little.
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| lily11
Forum Senior
Topics: 17
Posts: 73
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hi harp , i took the exam 2 weeks ago , i felt the same way you did, i was so disapointed by the time , lots of questions if i had the time i would answer them right , but i made lots of silly mistakes and i really think i failed though i did ok in UW ( 64%) and kaplan q bank (74%) , i'm watiting anxiously for the result but i'm not very opptimistic.
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| trishue
Forum Elite
Topics: 24
Posts: 156
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When I took my exam, I know that questions will be long... so I trained myself to read fast. I finish early every block, with an extra 10 mins in fact. However, looking back, I might have missed some important points by reading fast, and maybe that's why I found it easier than Step1. Step 1 for me was disastrous... but surprisingly, even with a difficult exam, i managed to land on a line of 9... now I'm worried because I felt better after Step2CK...
The long questions, I notice would just give u bits and pieces of not-so-useful info that you would need to filter out... But anyway, maybe I didn't do very well... I still don't know... I'll fill you guys in when I do get my score already...
Best of luck to everyone, and harp, don't worry about it too much right now... I had a difficult time with 1 and still score fairly well... and although the exam is not adaptive... some of my friends who THOUGHT they got an easy test actually got lower, than the ones who THINK they got a harder exam... so don't sweat it too much, enjoy life... go out... and just stay cool, and leave it up to GOD...
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