Jugular
Forum Newbie
Topics: 3
Posts: 9
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Hi! I sat for Step 1 on Oct 11th. All along my prep I used to day dream about reaching the other side of the fence and write my exam experience. And, here Iam, but, short of words!
The exam tests how thorough you are with your knowledge and understanding. If you have your concepts clear and are able to recall the facts then you are armed enough to handle the exam. There were some easy questions, some questions that needed you to use your brain and a few questions asking you about things that are not there in any standard review books.
I felt that in my exam all the subjects were equally distributed. I could finish the blocks but I could not manage time well enough to review them. I regret that and also blowing up some easy questions.
I have been preparing on & off for around a year. I studied everything from Kaplan except Patho and Micro. Patho I studied from Goljan lecture notes and Micro - the first 2 times I did from MMRS and then I switched to FA. For Pharma, the first 1 or 2 times I did from Kaplan and then I switched to FA. I noted down the important points from MMRS and Kaplan Pharma in my FA. Also, when I did Q Bank, I wrote down the important points wherever the relevant topic was so that I can go through them during my review. I studied all the subjects 4 to 5 times and also I reviewed all the subjects from FA 2 times except Patho. From Patho section of FA, I used the diagrams, charts and pnemonics only. I did have Goljan HY notes but I never could manage the time to go through it.
Those who are studying everything for the first time, hang in there and keep walking. The first review takes time and yes, you do tend to forget. But, don't panic and don't bother to go back to a previously covered subject UNTIL you finish studying ALL the subjects ONCE. After you finish your first review, the real trick should be used, that is to finish ALL the subjects in 2 months. In that way by the time you start your second review of the last subject, you'll remember something from the 1st subject you started with during your 2nd review. After you are done with your 2nd review, jump on the wagon and start solving Q Bank. Don't be disheartened with your poor performance in the beginning. To improve your score in Q Bank, you HAVE TO constantly review the other subjects. Make a plan such that you finish your Q Bank and 3rd review of ALL the subjects in 1 month. While doing Q Bank, read the explanations of ALL the questions, whether right or wrong, learn the concept, if you are not clear, then, open the book and read the relevant topic, if the info given in Q Bank is not there in the book, then, jot it down where the related topic is, whether FA or the review book. But, jot it down at a place from where you'll review it the last few days. If the Q Bank question has some graphs or something like that, I used to print it out and cut off the margins and put it where the related topic is so that while reviewing the subject, I could go through the question and the explanation again. After you are done with your Q Bank and 3rd review, go through all the subjects in 2 weeks and face the exam while everything is fresh in your mind. Also, while doing 1st and 2nd review, you can do Kaplan Q book, A&L,NMS, BSS
or Rapid Review. It's your choice. After your 3rd review you can do NBME exams.
As for my correlations, I don't have much to offer. I did NBME Part 1 in last week of June and scored 440. During the last few days I didn't have enough time to do the 2nd part. I felt reviewing everything so that I'll have a fresh memory while giving the exam is better than doing the correlation tests. Also, I didn't want to get freaked out by a poor score or feel over confident by scoring very well. I just wanted to face the exam with a level head. My Q Bank score was everywhere. I scored in 40s, 50s, 60s, and towards the end I was scoring in 70s and also managed to push the score to 80s twice. But, I don't have much confidence in this score because towards the end most of the questions were Patho. There was not any Behavioral Science or Statistics or Immuno or Genetics or Biochem left in the unused question pool.
About my performance in the exam, Iam feeling very guilty about doing some silly mistakes. I could figure out some difficult questions, but, the ones which anyone can get correct in their sleep, I messed them up! I wish I managed my time well enough so that I could go back and review my marked questions. Also, 1 big advise, TRUST YOUR INSTINCT. Instinct is your friend and your head is your enemy. While solving questions, follow your instinct.
This waiting period is killing me. I can't understand why they take so much time to give your result when everything is computerised.
This post is my chance to "Pay it forward", by trying to help others. Lots of people helped me by writing their exam experiences, they gave me guidance, they gave me hope, they gave me motivation. I can't do for them anything in return, instead, I pray that the Almighty helps them and make their dreams come true.
While preparing for the exam, I used to say that Iam going to work hard so that I don't look back and regret later on. That's what I did, because I hate regreting. And, the love and sacrifice of my husband and my child kept me going. I wish that I score well not for my own satisfaction but to make my loved ones happy and proud of me for all the things they have done for me and given me unconditionally.
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| docarjun
Forum Elite
Topics: 11
Posts: 334
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| mdfriend
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 28
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Hi J!
No matters on your results you are far away from us who are still afraid to even arrange exact date for the exam.
Although I know it’s much easier to say than to do it, but try to relax and recall to yourself that anxiety want make your life easier.
Don’t worry about what others will say about you especially your family because I’m sure that a simple smile or hug to your kids or husband mean to them more than the best score.
Best wishes!
PS: If you like praying, it helps a lot! :icon_king: :icon_thumb:
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| LisaM
Forum Guru
Topics: 16
Posts: 321
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Hi Jugular, All the best for a great score. Do take time for your child, husband and yourself now. 
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lisa
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| ujaala
Forum Elite
Topics: 60
Posts: 333
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hi Jugular...thanks for writing down ur exam experience....as i m in a similar situation as u r...(studying since jan 1st, married , pregnant and my husband sacrificing n supporting me...n i m feeling guilty for not giving him as much time as he deserve) i find wht u hv written down as a source of hope n inspiration....i plan to take exam in dec,
i hope u get the result ur hoping for
take care 
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| reet
Forum Fanatic
Topics: 152
Posts: 1,411
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hey JUGULAR
WISH YOU A GREAT SCORE!!!!
thanks for ur (pay it forward) post .
--how many hours u spent for qbank & how many hours studying books in your third read per day??i mean how did you divide timings for both for one day? i hope you will reply back.
GOOD LUCK
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Live as u were to die tommorow. Learn as if u were to live forever.
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| aprepdoc
Forum Newbie
Topics: 3
Posts: 17
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hello jugular
CONGRATS ON TAKING THIS EXAM .
.I have also been studying on and off for 1year but becoz of my 2children and taking care of the family etc.I could not be consistant in my studies.I have completed once but dont remembermuch.from kaplan notes as it has been over 1yr period.
I want to give my step1 before th end of this year.
how many hours should I put in Is 7hrs enough boez I can only study for that much becoz of children.somedays 9hrs.
I want to do well in this exam badly but sometimes I loose focus.
CAN YOU ADVISEA STUDY SCHEDULE.THANKS.
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| kingsofke
Forum Guru
Topics: 24
Posts: 715
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You have done very well. Best of luck for your score .
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In Life there are neither rewards nor punishments, just consequences.
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| Shakeels
Forum Guru
Topics: 27
Posts: 468
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Hey jugular,
you said about rapid review. can you tell me which questions you have done. only cd, or even book??
Did you do subject wise or random??
GOOD LUCK FOR YOUR SCORE.
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