mp
Forum Newbie
Topics: 2
Posts: 12
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Dear freinds,
Hello. I am kind of stuck in a situation here and need lots of help. From time to time I have used this forum for support and advice which was given to others for myself. I am so frusterated and sad about my situation. I graduated about 1 1/2 years ago. I have failed the exam 6 times. My last attempt was in nov, and then one year before that. I had put in the time. Still something is lacking.
I have read other people who have written because they didn't clear in their first or second or even third attempt. But what about me. What are my chances to get into a residency program. Believe me I was very very down and mopped around. But I have to make some choices now.
I would like to persue my medical career and get into a residency, but that won't happen without passing step one. And if I pass step one, I dont want it to be pointless where I won't get into a residency because of my high number of attempts. My last attempt my marks were in the very high 60%s. I took the kaplan web prep, because I can't afford to take the live lectures because of money problems. I was very hurt because I not only disapointed my family but also myself. I am trying to keep a positive outlook on everything. I don't repent trying harder, because I think I treid my hardest. I graduated from a carabian medical college and preformed above average compared to my colleges.
Should I look into other directions. If so can someone please atleast help me on where I should get started and what to do if I should choose another diversion of medicine.
I know its not the end of the world that i can't pass this exam, but it sure feels like it sometimes.
Please any help that you can offer will be appreciated and I will be greatful to everyone.
Good luck to everyone and hope that you all succeed !
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| lmbebo
Forum Elite
Topics: 36
Posts: 338
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sorry to hear this.
You're in a precarious situation.
I believe you get a score report with each exam. I would compile a list of subject areas that you consistently do poor on.
Compile a collection of books. I would stay away from the kaplan books, because it seems that you are lacking some fundamentals in your basic sciences or not putting the big picture together at all.
I don't know what kind of time frame you have and time allotment for the exam.
But if I had to make up that much ground. I would begin from ground zero on your studies. Spend time on each subject. Do histology. then Biocem, etc. Build up your foundation. Don't rush through anything. Spend a year going over every subject. But continuely hit up pathology throughout the year.
I would not do questions at first.
I think a live review coure would prob be the most beneficial after this. I've read online that the PASS program is the best if you've had problems passing the exam.
If you want it, you're really going to have to work hard for it.
I hope this helps. Hopefully some other people could provide some better advice. I have yet to take the exam myself. So I cannot speak from any kind of experience.
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| KEROCHI
Forum Guru
Topics: 60
Posts: 971
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Hi,
I can only say one thing. You will not succeed if you will stop working hard or if you give up. i hope & pray for the best for you.
Don't give up.. As Imbebo said you can study one subject at a time. you just graduated so you still have the chance..
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| Malaysian
Forum Guru
Topics: 28
Posts: 778
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Its up to you as to what you want......I can't answer that Q for you.Judging that you had passed out 18months ago and have attempted 6times......I think you have not been guided well as to best prepare for the exam.........some suggestions:
1)First of all forget the past.....you can't move forward till you leave the heavy burden off your chest.
2)Get a job.....part time.....related to science like in a lab or hospital.......this will not only give you something to concentrate on and help you forget but also lessen the financial burden on your family.
3)save the money from your job and purchase the webprep and other stuffs.Some of the auction websites sell stuffs at a decent price and you can save alot.Buy second hand books/materials........if you want I can give you the details as this is what I did myself.
---find out from this site what others did and where you may have flawed......ask lots of questions till you're clear.
4)space out the exam well...........give yourself more time to study.....I think you may have stressed yourself with the short time limit you gave yourself to prepare for the exam..
5)Study in a logical manner rather than cramming.......I'm not sure what your study technique was but I strongly suspect you crammed a majority of your syllabus rather than trying to understand them.
6)Download the lectures by Dr. Goljan from the website.....its free!!!!
You can also download certain notes from this site.Questions are free on this site so use them!!!
7)If certain books are beyond your means.......why not become a member of a libarary and if that certain library doesn't have the books then request the library to purchase the books for its stock.
8)Never lose hope.....after all it was hope which came last out of Pandora's box and so in your time of need it will be hope which guides you through.
Bye for now.....and wish you all the best.....let this be your new year's resolution.
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| shmily
Forum Junior
Topics: 13
Posts: 69
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this will be my second attempt , and it must be very tough for u, well u have very great advice hear and i think it will help me as well.....so best of luck
Malaysian....... i want to know about the goljan notes n lectures web site u mentioned , n u said its free.
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| MIR
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 12
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Hi mp,
I don,t want to say sorry cause it won,t help.but you are at the verge of collapse.here are my few cents
1) appearing 6 times in 18 months shows lack of planning.that means you never had enough time to prepare properly.and now you are so much stressed out that 7th time will be a dreadful expeience.
2) give your self at least a year.study calmly without fixing a date.at the end take nbme and if satisfactory then go for it.
3) other thing you might consider is taking some time off.do some research work or enter a phd program or thing like that.that may take care of usmle ghost now sitting on your head.I know a couple of people who used this approach.
but it all boils down to your nerves.appearing 6 times is a lot of nerves,I guess but it,s scary too.I can feel the pain you are going through and all my prays are for you.
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| Dane
Forum Senior
Topics: 32
Posts: 124
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You wrote you had a test in Nov of this year and 1 year before: Total 2.
You also wrote you graduated 1 1/2 years ago.
That would mean you took 4 test in a 1/2 year which is impossible since there must be "90 days between attempts".
STOP WASTING PEOPLES TIME.
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| mp
Forum Newbie
Topics: 2
Posts: 12
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To everyone who wrote their suggetions and responses to me, I thank you from the depths of my heart. Sometimes in life, you don't know where and who to turn, because you are honestly stuck. This is what is happening to me.
To Dane:
You have some nerve to call people liars. You may be in a better position than others, but what makes you think that anyone would make up such a story and LIE about it. Would that be a sick joke??? It didn't even occur to me that people would think along those lines. People who have failed this exam need more help and support. Many people just praise those who've passed to get something in return, ie. advice for themselves.
I should of been more clear and explained my situation better, so there would be no misunderstandings. I graduated about 19 - 20 months ago.
-my 1st attempt was when i was in transition of my basics to clinicals
-my 2nd and 3rd attempts were during my clinicals, when I took some time to prepare again.
-my 4th attempt was right after I finished my clinicals, I prepared again.
-my 5th time was last nov
-my 6th time was this past nov when I took the web prep.
I didn't feel the need previously to say that, but please do be careful in the future to others who come for genuine help from others. I have no hard feelings towards you and genuinly wish you the best. But others may not take it that lightly esp if they are in a similar and delicate situation as mine.
Thank you everyone else for your suggestions and prayers.
Happy new year to everyone.
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| KEROCHI
Forum Guru
Topics: 60
Posts: 971
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hi mp,
i am sincere in wishing you more luck in your future endeavors. Don't give up okay. Hope you won't stop reaching out for support here. it Helps a lot. Good luck to you...
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| MLF
Forum Elite
Topics: 36
Posts: 386
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hi mp,
I also wish you all the best, and really admire your determination. You came close in your last attempt so dont give up, try again, but this time, like imbebo said, try to see what is it that your constantly lacking in, and then focus on that. Learn your material really well and once you think you know the stuff then start doing questions to see where you stand esp the nbme, which is a great predictor of your real score in my opinion. I also will pray for you and wish you all the best.
___________________
"Support bacteria, its the only culture some people got."
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| pinkangel
Forum Elite
Topics: 8
Posts: 272
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Dear mp,
I am very sorry to hear about your current situation. I graduated from a US medical school in 2003 and have failed the USMLE 1 three times. I lost my residency slot last year because of my most recent failure last January.
6 times is a lot for 1 person to handle in such a short period of time. If I remember correctly, NBME does not allow any more attempts after a 6th failure until the candidate has shown evidence of further medical education. I know this applies to AMGs but there may be a different policy for IMGs. Please check up on this before you prepare for your next attempt.
My advice to you:
1. NEVER GIVE UP! Keep hope alive. I lost my residency to another candidate last June because I didn't have a passing USMLE 1 score. I felt that the world was coming to an end. I'm still alive and determined to kill this beast once and for all.
2. DO NOT TAKE THE EXAM UNTIL YOU ARE FULLY PREPARED. That was my mistake and that is why I had so many unnecessary failures on my record - see my first entry in Pinkangel's daily diary if you want to read my story.
3. FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU'RE DOING WRONG - are your study methods not working, are your study sources helpful, in what subjects/areas/organ systems do you keep getting low scores on in the actual test? How are you in pathology, physiology, pharmacology? I learned from my friends on this forum that knowing these are crucial. As someone else said, download Goljan audio from www.coolgoose.com if you haven't listened to him yet. He makes everything fall into place.
I feel your pain, as I know how it feels to not have passing step 1 score. I've taken it 3 times and I can't imagine how strong you must be to be have survived 6 attempts and to share your story with us. Kudos to you. You have the determination and the courage to seek out help. That is the first step to success. :wink:
I will pray for you my friend. Just figure out what needs to change before you prepare yourself to jump the hurdle again. 7 is a lucky number after all.
Love,
pinkangel
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| mp
Forum Newbie
Topics: 2
Posts: 12
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Thank you everyone for your love and support that you have shown me. Especially at difficult times that I am facing, it is very uplifting to my spirits.
I would like to thank pink angel too. I have read your diary, and I can relate to many things you've said in more than one way. I will check up on attempts past 6 times. But you do think that I should continue with this huh. I am just afraid that even if I get thru this next time, I will not get a residency. Any thoughts about that and where I would find out that information??
Thank you all once again. May God bless each and everyone of you with success.
MP
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| drbilalkhalid
Forum Senior
Topics: 15
Posts: 87
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hi..i am new to this web site.i failed at 177.
I gave the exam nov 16 th failed 8 th december.
NOw registered for march first.
I feel i was close so i should not take a long break.
And take another attempt ASAP or i will lose wat i learned.
I dont wana fail again.
Please tell me if i am making a mistake.
___________________
in the name of allah the beneficient the merciful.
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| pinkangel
Forum Elite
Topics: 8
Posts: 272
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Dear mp,
Yes, I think you should perservere and not give up at this point in time. NEVER GIVE UP my friend. After finding out about eligibility for another attempt at this exam, find out about the competitiveness of the specialty you want to pursue. I'm not saying ignore reality and go after the most competitive programs in the nation - BUT, I am advising you to gather information and arm yourself with the knowledge to succeed.
It's true that a high score will open doors (Can you tell that I've been studying at Kaplan? That's their motto) however, previous failures and then a passing score will not shut you out entirely. The more info you have about your prospects, the better your strategy will be to succeed in achieving your dreams. Most importantly, tell yourself that you can do it. I had to do that despite the negativity that surrounded me - my medical school dean, my ex boyfriend, my disappointed parents, residency program directors, etc.
My way of coping was to go to the gym 3-4 times a week, getting out of the house to study in the Kaplan center or the university library, and taking some time each week to go to church on Sunday to get spiritual comfort. Whatever your needs are, please do not ignore them. I know you have a family and children to take care of, but you still deserve time for yourself. My mother did it with her broken English, an 8 month old baby, a 4 year old daughter (me), and a stressed out husband working his way through residency. If she did it, I know you can too. I believe in you. Don't give up.
Love,
pinkangel
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| mp
Forum Newbie
Topics: 2
Posts: 12
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Dear Pinkangel,
Hi! Thank you for your time and responses, they are appreciated greatly. I know that you gave your exam recently. My prayers are with you, and I know that you will succeed. Often when we are so low, a person's support is what puts a smile on our faces. And I thank you for that.
I have started with my studying again. And I really need to do it this time. I really need to pass this time. Yes, I do need to approach things differently, and focus on the weakness I am having. I just can't figure out what those exactly are.
Well, I am motivated, and I suppose that is a good start, right!
I just wanted to thank you for your support that you have shown me. And best of luck to you and may God bless you with success.
mp
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