PM&R_dude
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 23
| | 12/06/04 - 07:30 AM
1 of 1 forum leaders found this post helpful
| #1 |
Hi,
I would like to thank all of those that have posted messages about their exam experiences, results and advice. I have read the forum much in the past but have never posted a note. However, I promised that if I did pass the test and did not embarrass myself that I would offer my 2 cents in the hope that somebody may benefit from my experience.
I studied about 4 months, 4-5 hours per day. I took several vacations during that time with my children so the actual true study time was about 3 months. I started by reading all of the Kaplan books i bought over the internet. At the same time I would do the correspnding Kaplan Q-bank questions and also the Lippincott Board Simulator exams - the ones on the CD (I found these of far less detail in their answer explanations than the CD for Part I).
After I completed the reading I switched my efforts to Crush the Boards and First Aid. I would read Crush first cuz it is far less detailed, then read First Aid and go for strong memorizing. At the same time I ordered USMLEWORLD. So I would read the material, then test again in Q-bank, Board simulator and then do the USMLEWORLD questions. My scores for the USMLWEWORLD questions we horrible. I went through them twice. The first time they were in the upper 50's, the second time I averaged in the upper 60's. Yes, I felt terrible.
After taking the exam I felt horrible and was not a fun dad to be around. I felt my test performance was sub par. I knew as soon as I left that I missed many very easy questions and had already prepared my excuses as to why I failed.
I got my results back. When I saw the 245/99 I screamed my head off, my wife screamed her head off and then we both sat down cuz we were dizzy.
I got my results back in a little over 3 weeks. If youhave any questions please feel free to ask. I have just completed CS last Thursday and I feel terrible about that as well. I am beginning to believe that the worse you feel the better the results so the pit in my stomach gives me optimism.
Good luck to all of you. Don't give up even if your USMLEWORLD scores are low. I got 48 in Cardio and nailed cardio on the exam, but at least I know where to concentrate my efforts.
|
| sar
Forum Guru
Topics: 22
Posts: 639
|
Hi PM&R_dude,
Congrats for passing exam with a wonderful score! and thanks for sharing your experience.
I have some questions if you can answer....
I am taking my exam on 22nd dec, I have given just a one read to kap notes. and has completed kap q bank 2 months ago and uw today. My uw scores are horrible ( horrible than yours!) .I need your suggestion, there are 5 and half days left in uw subscription, do i need to do timed, all questions, tests plus crush the boards or, give a second reading to kap notes, which is difficult. If i do crush the borads from today till exam, plus many questions how is this idea?? what do you suggest???
Best of luck for your CS result and for residency!
Sar.
|
| 2bmd
Forum Senior
Topics: 8
Posts: 100
|
Way to go PM&R dude!! Thats an awesome score!
Quick question for you if you could....
Did you read Kaplan just once and then move on to other sources, or did you read it till you felt comfortable? The reason I am asking is b/c I am scheduled to take my exam in about 3 wks (though Im thinking of pushing it back another wk), but Im not sure how I should go about these last few days. Ive been passively reading for serveral weeks, but Kaplan is too dense for me and takes a REALLY long time to absorb. Now Ive resorted to reading a topic in Boards and Wards, then reading the Kaplan section on the same subject...BUT...I dont know if I should do it the other way around....Get in good with kaplan then review with a lighter book OR read the lite book then consolidate with Kaplan. Any suggestions??
Also, did you feel that UW was similar to the way you were tested in the actual exam? If not how do you feel they differed.
Thanks so much for your time and again CONGRATS on your great scores!
|
| PM&R_dude
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 23
|
I only read the Kaplan notes 1 time and feel that passive reading is the lowest yield use of time. I am a question nut. Then researching the ones I got wrong or just guessed correct. I feel it is much more focused effort.
Reference the test question format. It seems that no matter what review questions one uses the exam is always different in their approach. The questions do not truly resemble Q-bank, Board Simulator or USMLE WORLD. But regardless, the information is all the same and you must trust yourself. You have made it this far so I have confidence in you and you should too.
I hope this answered some of your questions. Anything else I may answer please feel free to ask...I am still so grateful for those that were there for me.
|
| PM&R_dude
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 23
|
Oops, reference books. If I had one choice I would stick with First Aid. Crush would help pass but if youaspire to do more than pass First Aid may have more.
|
| dann
Forum Newbie
Topics: 3
Posts: 13
|
first of all, congrats on a perfect score!
i was just wondering which book would you recommend fa or crush....i am so confused bcse i have heard both are good, but i would rather pick one and stick to it....or should i read both? fa for step one was awesome.... please help!!
|
| PM&R_dude
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 23
|
I thought the books complimented each other well. I like to learn by hitting the basics well then moving to more advanced material. I felt that by reading Crush first it gave me the basics, then FA hit more specifics. But to pick one FA would be my choice then...questions, questions, questions.
|
| r753_2000
Forum Elite
Topics: 59
Posts: 255
|
i think i had the same feeling you did. I took the exam and i felt like i missed very very simple questions. The worst feeling is waiting but i feel like I failed. I read Crush the Boards, First AID Steo 2 CK, NMS, and Mock the Exam. I also did Kaplan Qbank Step 2 for 1 month.
I am so pissed. I was marking 15-20 questions at each set... getting really frustrated. Howver, I did have time to recheck every question once. Did this happen to you as well?
I am exhausted worrying... plus some of the information on First Aid is very misleading. In First Aid it said that the passing grade is 174/75 but when I checked the USMLE website it is 182/75. On First AID step 1 it said the 3 digit is the raw score, where as in STEP 2 it is a standard?
Do you know anything about this?
|
| saxena
Forum Junior
Topics: 5
Posts: 46
|
hi pm&r_dude
congrats on ure great score, i just started preparing fr step 2.......need ure advice.did u start doing questions after 1 subject or after reading all subjects? shall i go for kaplan q bank or uw or both? please suggest me ,im aiming high may b atleast to nearabt 2 ure score.
shall i go fr fa/ crush................which is better? do i need 2 read cmdt for im or any such reference books.
please advice the study pattern also.
thanx in advance
|
| PM&R_dude
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 23
|
Hi Trisha,
Sorry, so late with the reply, been on the interview trail with no internet service available. I hope I understand your question and am able to help. Reading can get routine and boring and therefore have low yield so I alwys create purpose in it so I do questions while I am reading. I may only read part of a chapter then do questions to break it up. The practice test results are not important. Remembering the key points in the sample question for the future is key. So if the Kaplan book is 200 pages, I break it up by doing the Kaplan Q-bank questions inbetween. Then at the end I would test my knowledge by doing the USMLE WORLD questions or the NMS Board SImulator exam.
After, doing all of that I then would read Crush to get the high yield information. I would do more questions, then read First Aid and do more questions again.
I did all of Kaplan subjects first so I had a good ever view of the exam. Then I did Crush and FA by subject. I started with my easiest subject to recall and finished with my most difficult so it would be the freshest at the time of the exam.
Definately get Q-bank and USMLE WORLD. And read above reference which book is better Crush or FA.
Any more question please feel free. I know it is so intimidating and over whelming. Good luck
|
| PM&R_dude
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 23
|
r753,
Waiting is so hard, i truly felt aweful after the test...I believe that is a good sign I checked my Score Report and it says that 182/75 is passing. Good luck
|
| r753_2000
Forum Elite
Topics: 59
Posts: 255
|
Thanks man. I hope you're right. now all i can do is pray.
|
| sophia khan
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 2
|
Congratulations on your great score...gives me hope to do well next month...wanted to know whether internal medicine is truly the most covered on the actual Stp 2.Im sure you've cleared your CS.
___________________
sophy
|
| PM&R_dude
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 23
|
Internal Medicine is such a broad subject. It covers: Cardio, Resp, GI, and Renal. Just by shear volume of material to cover it does represent a larger portion of the exam than the others. However, psyche, OB/GYN, Surgery and Peds were covered very well. Just as a matter of practical use for my internship year I did study IM harder than the rest.
I really used the sample tests: USMLE WORLD, Q-bank and Board Simulator to help me pick out my weak subjects...then focused on bringing them up to par. For me Cardio was so weak compared to the other subject that I spent twice the time studying it and it paid off cuz I got an asterix next to it indicating, "performance extended beyond the displayed portion of the scale." I was getting in the mid to low 40's for cardio on my practice exams so as panic and fear are great motivators I really read it carefully.
Hope this helps...
|
| saxena
Forum Junior
Topics: 5
Posts: 46
|
hi pm&r_dude .....
thanks a lot for the good advice u have given . ure experience will help me a lot. good luck for ure interviews .in wch residency r u interested in? im or something else? just wanted 2 know if u dont mind.
good luk take care
|
| drmig
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 2
|
Dear Doctor,
Your experience gives me much hope. I graduated from med school 12 years ago and have been a practicing ophthalmologist. Now, I need the mle to complete a fellowship in the US. What would you advice as a study strategy? Thank you, drmig
|
| PM&R_dude
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 23
|
Hi Trisha,
I am going into PM&R (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation). IM does not come naturally but Physical medicine does...that is why I was so afraid of IM and therefore put extra effort into it :-)
Good luck on your exam!!!
|
| PM&R_dude
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 23
|
Dear Dr. Mig,
Your timeline probably puts us close in age. I am 40 years old and went back to school late. I have 3 childrenand a busy wife so I can relate to your situation. The key I found to studying was to set goals and a schedule.
Step 1) I listed all of my resources: Eg.
Kaplan Books
Crush
First Aid
Q-Bank
USMLE WORLD
Board Simulator
Step 2) I listed them by subject. Number of pages to read total and number of questions to go over: Eg.
IM x# pages and x#questions
Peds....same
Psyche...same
OB/Gyn...same
Surgery...same
Step 3) I calculated how much time I had to study: Eg. 4-5 hours/day for 12 weeks.
Step 4) Figured out how much time it would take to cover each subject (just guessed based upon knowing how I studied in medical school).
Step 5) Read the subject...do questions. I do not always read the whole subject before I start questions cuz many of the questions repeat but in different formats and the questions keep you focused on the reading.
Step 6) Keep doing that until you want to puke (sorry but that is really how I felt). The studying should be so intense that the test day seems like vacation cuz after you read the question you do not have to waste your time studying the answer.
I did run out of energy after Step I so I did not really study as hard for part II. Only 4-5 hours for 3 months.
Good luck...anything else you need let me know
|
| lucky
Forum Guru
Topics: 23
Posts: 505
|
congratulations on such wonderful score and good advice , best of luck pm&r dude.
|
| dnaprimase
Forum Junior
Topics: 2
Posts: 47
|
hi pm&r dude, what did u study a week to the exam, would be taking the exam in 10days, was it the 2004 edition of first aid u used?
thanks,
dnaprimase
|
| PM&R_dude
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 23
|
dnaprimase,
The last week I review all of my weakest areas based upon exams and trouble areas. I also focus on areas that I do not enjoy and hold them in short term memory only long enough to last till I exit the exam hehehe :shock:
That is definitely an individualized approach. For Step I it was DNA, which must not be a problem for you :-)
So basically the last week is clean up and relaxation.
|
| PM&R_dude
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 23
|
Oops, yes 2004 edition of First Aid
|
| dnaprimase
Forum Junior
Topics: 2
Posts: 47
|
thanks a lot, that was a nice joke :lol:
|
| jana
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 4
|
hi PM&R_dude
congrats on a gr8 score
i am taking my step2 in march and am just getting started..
could u tell me if i need to do cmdt or are the kaplan notes adequate..
also,how much time do i need to spend with questions..
|
| PM&R_dude
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 23
|
Hi Jana,
All I used was Kaplan, First Aid and Crush the Boards. I do not know what CMDT is...so hope that answers your question. Any more please feel free to ask. Good luck
|
|
| |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
