kate80
Forum Newbie
Topics: 5
Posts: 10
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Hi all,
I failed step 1 today (score 172/71). I need your help in defining my study strategy for the next phase. I appreciate it if you can give me your inputs. First, i will briefly go over my previous exam experience:
1- I studied everything pretty much from Kaplan. I took all lectures and I completed the Qbank questions (2000) more than once. My score at the last two weeks of the qbank was more than 60 %. I plan to re-renter the exam within 2 months. I wonder what is the best strategy for studying in the coming 2 months. Should I study from same resources or should I add others or...
2- I did not do much of the FA. I looked at it in some subjects and I was depending entirely on Kaplan notes and qbank. Should I consider doing the FA in details.
3- I ran out of questions for training. Could you please recommend me one or two resources for q's. Doing Qbank again would not help much.
4- My scores before entering the exams were as follows:
a- USMLE CD: 31, 32, 27
b- Qbank: 65 %
c- Kaplan simulated (1.5 month before the exam): 55%
d- Princton exam (2 weeks before the exam): 59 %
I thought I have done very well in the exam especially in the behavioral sciences, path and pharma but I was shocked when the results came and found out that my performance in these areas was below the average. I appreciate advice and input. IThanks,
Kate
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| mjl1717
Forum Hero
Topics: 956
Posts: 5,452
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q sources: (not in order) All for step 1
1)NMS review for step1
2)Appleton& Lange
3)Blackwell
4)NBME qs times 2[50 dollars for 200qs]
5)Board Simulator Series times 5
6)All Pre Test
7)IV q bank if you havent done it
8)Webpath questions
9)USMLE simulated tests
10)Blackwells Underground clinical vignettes.
Let me know if you want more.
All available at Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble possibly even on ebay.
___________________
Smell the coffee! "Is That an Osler move??"
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| CL
Forum Junior
Topics: 10
Posts: 42
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I used approximately 18 different books for Step 1. After the exam I had a revelation.
Memorize the entire FA.
Read and re-read Kaplan notes.
Read Step Up to slap everything into place.
?Do the Q-book (I didn't finish mine)
Read FA again and again and again before the exam.
I had only 7Qs on my exam that were not in Kaplan yet 2 of them can be found in FA.
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| nutmeg
Forum Newbie
Topics: 5
Posts: 29
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I haven't taken step one... but based on the advise I'm getting from this forum and this is what I've been trying to do:
1. Read kaplan over and over
2. Know pathophysiology (strategies includes knowing it to the point that you can teach it & explain it with your own words)
3. Memorize First Aid or read it over and over
4. ANSWER AS MANY, MANY QUESTIONS AS YOU CAN (NMS, BSS, Q-bank.... etc.....)
5. PRAY, PRAY, PRAY as much as you can after you study everyday:-)
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| kate80
Forum Newbie
Topics: 5
Posts: 10
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Hi,
Thanks for your inputs. They were really useful. I have some q's:
1- Which of these resources have online avilability
2- Will doing the IV qbank benefit me. I have done the traditional one.
3- I have only 1.5 months for studying and I wonder which q-resource is closer to the real exam.
4- Do you recommend an Anatomy HY Book. Kaplan is too detailed and FA is not emough.
Thanks.
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| kate80
Forum Newbie
Topics: 5
Posts: 10
|
Thanks for your inputs. They were really useful. I have some q's:
1- Which of these resources have online avilability
2- Will doing the IV qbank benefit me. I have done the traditional one.
3- I have only 1.5 months for studying and I wonder which q-resource is closer to the real exam.
4- Do you recommend an Anatomy HY Book. Kaplan is too detailed and FA is not emough.
Thanks.
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| babydoc
Forum Newbie
Topics: 2
Posts: 6
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Your experience pretty much sounds somewhat similar to mines. Good luck and keep posted on how its going. I'll be rooting for you!
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| ramtheman
Forum Newbie
Topics: 2
Posts: 43
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 HI I READ A BOOK THAT SAID DONT EXPECT THE DIFFERENT RESULTS IF YOU DO THE SAME THING AGAIN THIS HELPEM ME YOU
SAID YOU ONLY USED KAPLAN AND NOT FA I THINK YOU SHOULD TRY TO MEMORIZE FIRST AID THIS IS WHAT I DID THE SECOND TIME AND PASSED.
1- DECIDE YOU WILL PASS
2- MEMORIZE FA 2004
3 STUDY PATHOPHSIOLOGY
4 Q BANK
5 SURROUND YOURSELF WITH POSITIVE PEOPLE
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| amitjosh
Forum Senior
Topics: 9
Posts: 116
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Hi Kate,
What I feel is all the sources as good! None is better or worse than another for any particular topic.
However since Kaplan is complete, I would recommend only Kaplan + FA and nothing else (ofcourse qbook, qbank is mandatory).
I guess that should be fine. Also I guess though remembering information is very important, it is best to have a conceptual schematic knowledge of the holistic picture. The details will fill in with revisions or with some last moment mugging.
Good luck!
Amit
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Criticisms welcome
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| Budlight
Forum Senior
Topics: 9
Posts: 92
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Hi Kate,
I got the same score, I thought my pathology was okay, but surprisingly not, Anyways, Just wanted to know what your strategy was for the next time. This is Lowest i have ever felt about my intelligence.
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