Trifudis
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 29
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Hello,
I am an IGM from Mexico City, preparing for USMLE 1.
I’ve been reading this forum and have participated a couple of times, but now I just want to tell you guys about me and what I am doing to prepare, and hopefully I will get some useful input here.
I am taking Kaplan Video Lectures (for two months now) and have completed three subjects: Anatomy, Pathology and Physiology. At the same time I am doing questions in Qbank (getting 55% average just in studied subjects)
My biggest problem I think is that, I finished medical school about 10 years ago and therefore I am kind of rusted.
Also, I am working full time at a biomechanics Lab( here in the US) so that allows me only about 4 to 5 hours/d of study Mon – Fri. On weekends I go to the Video lectures for at least 7 hours. I scheduled the exam on November 27th (Just after the Thanks giving turkey *LOL* )
I am just worried that I will not have sufficient time to review the Kaplan notes and FA after I finish the Videos. I can always move the exam a bit, but I still feel nervous because I wish I was doing better in Qbank.
sometimes my enthusiasm is low, specially when I don't do well in certain blocks of questions.
Anyways, I just wanted to tell you guys a bit about me, and be part of your team ( a wonderful one)
Thanks. and keep ut the good work guys.
Juan.
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| Trifudis
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 29
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Pssstt..some advice anyone? :wink:
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| drrabines
Forum Elite
Topics: 90
Posts: 184
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Ok, first, congratulations, for your choice to take the boards, I am an IMG too, graduated in UAG.
I think you have all the time to do it well, my exam is in sept second week, you must know first aid, I suggest to finish a subject and do lot of questions, there are many free web sites with many free questions too, focus your weakest areas. I did FA, Kaplan notes, Kaplan web Prep, HY anatomy, Q bank, NBME questions, Blackwell test, some usmleasy questions (when was free), all the web path questions, and hope must remember all the tips I have.
Just go ahead and you will do it fine
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| graceli
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 8
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Could you please tell me the free web sites for questions? Thanks.
Grace
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| Trifudis
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 29
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Hi drrabines,
Thank you so much for your valuable tips. I will start working hard on that FA and questions. I also Have HY anatomy and I think is great. Do you have any experience with HY neuroanatomy? I was thinking about getting that one too.
I wish you all the best for your exam (Is almost here huh?) You probably will crush it since you have a very positive attitude. :wink:
Regards.
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| exonstep
Forum Newbie
Topics: 2
Posts: 17
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HELLO TRIFUDIS,I did step 1, I would like to tell you my experience, it was so hard, tired, you will have just one minute p/q, and most of the Q'S are hard to know, I had to guess for the best answer almost at the end of each block, I really studied hard, from FA, Books, KAPLAN Q'S, I' m still waiting for my result.
My advise is focus in FA, lots Q'S, and review books, try to read all you can, I know it is hard. It's hard start to read when you arrive home, after a long day...
Good luck in your test!
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| Trifudis
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 29
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Exonstep,
Thank you so much for your tips and good wishes
Don’t feel bad and hope for the best on your results. I have noticed many people in this forum had felt they failed just after taking the exam and found they passed later on.
Even in the event of not getting sufficient score to clear the board, keep your spirit up and try again.
I keep my fingers crossed for you.
Juan.
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| SilatK
Forum Guru
Topics: 42
Posts: 579
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Hello,
exonstep don not feel down. Wait until you receive your scores. Where are do you live? I am in california and I an taking the exam in two weeks. I am also a graduate from UAG. Class of 2000.
Enrique
___________________
To know is to not know..
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| exonstep
Forum Newbie
Topics: 2
Posts: 17
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thank you for your wishes, I hope you got a great score in your test,
Good Luck  /
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| Trifudis
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 29
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Hi Enrique,
Where in california are you?
I am in San Diego.
Best wishes
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| rubensssss
Forum Guru
Topics: 95
Posts: 451
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Trifudis
I also graduate about 12 years ago, I am not sure about this but, let me tell you ,If we have a lot of years finished school I recommend you to read BRS, and questins.
I took the test augost 26 04 , I am still waiting for my result.
Whis the best.
___________________
Ruben sssss
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| Trifudis
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 29
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Hi Rubensss
I am praying for your results to be great.
I do not know if I will have time to review BRS. I am sitting on November 27 (that if I do not push the date a lil :wink: )
I am half way done with all the disciplines on Kaplan notes and I've been doing Qbank for a month now. My plan after finishing Kaplan is to work on reviewing everything again and memorize FA.
What you think, does this sound like a good plan to you, or you still think BRS is a must?
Just another quick question? How many questions did you do on Qbank every day?
Hey let me know when you get your score.
Regards.
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| SilatK
Forum Guru
Topics: 42
Posts: 579
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I am in napa, california.
I think you still have time to review BRS but what ever is comfortable for you. Memorizing FA I do not think is enough specially for biochem, micro, and genetics.
Study hard!!
___________________
To know is to not know..
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| Trifudis
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 29
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Enrique,
I will take your advice and review BRS. I just want to finish with Kaplan first to avoid mixing to much stuff. As for the FA, I see as a constant that, studens that excel in step1 knew this book "cold" so I think It will be invaluable in my last day's review.
Do you have any experience with HY neuroanatomy?
Regards.
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| rubensssss
Forum Guru
Topics: 95
Posts: 451
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Yes, I agree with Enrique, FA it is a very good book but in my test didn't help me only for one question that I could tell it was in my mind, but remmember since is been a long time that you graudated probably you should get BRS, I am not saying to master them but read them, and try to memorize pathology, is better to master one book than all of them. FA is for the last minute. Even read the firast pages of FA they tell is a mistake only read Fa for the test.
Wish the best.
That is my personal opinion, I could be wrong....
___________________
Ruben sssss
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| Trifudis
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 29
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Rubenssss,
Thanks again for your valuable advice.
I will get BRS for Pathology now that I finished Pathology from Kaplan. I am using Kaplan “religiously” as my mainframe preparation. It is just that I will review the lasts days using FA, but I would never plan to relay only in FA for the exam. I am also doing 50 “unused” questions from Q bank every day.
Hey did you get your score yet?
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| rubensssss
Forum Guru
Topics: 95
Posts: 451
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No, not yet.
This time is killing me.
Wish the best.
___________________
Ruben sssss
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| Trifudis
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 29
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Hang in there.
I am almost sure you passed.
:wink:
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| SilatK
Forum Guru
Topics: 42
Posts: 579
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Trifundis,
Hy anatomy is a great book for reviewing. Learn it well, it could get the last passing points.
Rubenssss,
Have you try the OASIS trick? I believe you passed. I amdoing mine this monday. But what ever happens I am taking the next two weeks off and starting my preparation for STEP 2. Studying for STEP 1 has giving me a new perspective about studying which I truly believe will help me with STEP 2. Good Luck.
Enrique
___________________
To know is to not know..
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| Trifudis
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 29
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Enrique,
I believe you should be in the middle of your exam at this very moment. I am praying for you to be calm and smash that board my friend.
Let us know your experiences as soon as you recover. But first, take a well deserved rest.
Juan.
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| floresmd
Forum Junior
Topics: 6
Posts: 66
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:lol: I`M ENRIQUE FROM MONTERREY MEXICO,I`M GOING TO TAKE STEP 1 NEXT YEAR,I FINISHED A POSTGRADUATE PROGRAM IN ORTHOPEDICS AN TRAUMATOLOGY IN 2001 IN MEXICO,NOW I WANT TO MAKE THE RESIDENCY IN THE US,IS IT HADR TO AN IMG TO ENTER IN ORTHOPEDICS IN US? I FINISHED MY MEDICAL SCHOOL IN 1995.
GOOD LUCK FOR ALL OF YOU!
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| Trifudis
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 29
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Hi Flores,
I was also trained as an orthopaedic Surgeon in Lomas Verdes. Nice to see you here, and all the best in your exam.
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| SilatK
Forum Guru
Topics: 42
Posts: 579
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Hello Everybody,
It has been a while since I have gone into this page and since then I have gotten my score. I failed!!
I do not feel down Specially knowing that a week before the exam I was averaging 60% on NMS.
Let me just tell that on the exam I had a little bit of everything. The main theme you could say was Physio.
Lots and lots of graphs of Pharm, Physio., and bio. So review everything well.
I will not make it in time for MATCH 2005 so I will take it eazy and I know next time not only will I pass it but will get a high score in it.
Also for all of you out there, it is very important that you get involved within a US hospital. Throught an observatorship or even internship if possible. It will make a huge difference when you try to get into a program in the US.
When I started my studying I was averaging 33% on NMS q-book. After obtaining Goljan and a set calendar I increased my score to 60%. I only reviewed for about 2 months.
Well good luck to all!
Rubensss did you get your score yet?
___________________
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| yarov
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 2
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Hi,
I would like to know where I cam get Kapla s course.
Thankes
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| yarov
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 2
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Hi,
I would like to know where I can get Kaplan s course.
Thankes
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