ukgirl
Forum Newbie
Topics: 12
Posts: 24
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any test takers in OCTOBER??????????????????????????
Are you people afraid of this new software FREDTM replacing the Prometric software in October. i havent undertood the meaning of the following sentence on the usmle.org website.
"The FRED software allows you to highlight and strike out item text as well as create annotations to items. Please note that the annotation feature allows you to record brief notes to yourself about individual items."Can anybody help me with this? Also the results are gng to be delayed coz of the changeover of the software. I cant beleive they have do it at this time of year when the interveiews are approaching and this is the exam taking peak period. I hope the exam wont be tough. Anyways guys plz do reply. would appreciate your help.
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| durian
Forum Newbie
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Posts: 4
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Hi,
I've just finished all three exams using the Prometric software but I've also tried out the new FRED software you're wondering about. Although I didn't do any real tests with the new system I have to say the new one is more convenient to use. (When I applied for the third step I got a cd in the mail with some sample questions presented in both formats.) The FRED system has a very similar feel to the Prometric system with a clearer and better laid out interface. The new system allows you to highlight important bits in the question stem which seems really handy because some of the questions do go on for a bit. I recall it also allows you to grey out the various answers so you can easily eliminate choices as you go along. The only drawback I could see with this is if the added features actually slow you down (if you're not quick with the mouse). Making notes to yourself seems a bit excessive, esp in light of time constraints but that will also be available.
I don't know if a delay is anticipated. Hope this helps some.
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| ukgirl
Forum Newbie
Topics: 12
Posts: 24
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thanks durian,
thats quite a bit reassuring. can I ask u one more thing?? u have said u have taken all ur steps? did u take ur step 3 on 2simultaneous days? or was is saturday and monday??? was it very tiring??/ i have been trying to schedule my exam on saturday and monday but all the test centres are full for these days till december.
Thanks again. U have been a great help
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| durian
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Topics: 2
Posts: 4
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Hi,
I did my tests over two consecutive days (Monday and Tuesday). It was my understanding that the test had to be done over two consecutive business days but I'm not sure if this is still the case. The first day is the same format as Steps 1 and 2 so I did find it a bit draining but no worse than the previous steps. It's a bit scary how much I have already forgotten considering Step 2 was only a few months ago but the questions on Step 3 didn't seem too different from Step 2's.
The second day was actually kind of fun with the computer simulation cases. That part goes really quickly. The advice the USMLE people give about getting very familiar with using the software interface is very sound. I would suggest doing the sample cases over and over again in different ways to explore the software to get really familiar with it. It's quite versatile but not really the same as real life situation as far as how you give orders but if you explore the different things you can do with it you'll fly through the cases. I found myself stumbling a bit because I wasn't as familiar with it as I could have been. For example I was horrified to learn that I had been working up a critical patient as if I were in an ER setting only to find out that office hours were over and was asked if I wanted the patient make an appointment for a future visit! :oops:
Keeping in mind everybody is different, I'm glad I did the exam over two consecutive days - nice to get it over with. After the first day I just relaxed that evening and resisted the temptation to cram last minute details in - okay, I peeked once but only for half an hour!.
Good luck!
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| ukgirl
Forum Newbie
Topics: 12
Posts: 24
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Thanks durian.
ur message is really very reassuring. Thanks.
All the best with ur residency.
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| omur16
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 5
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Hello Durian,
How many case they ask in the CCS part of the exam and how long does it take, can you please inform me, i did not understan what did they write about CCS. Thank you very much.
Omur.
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